Marvel Rivals Director Explains Why Concord Failed

Key Takeaways

Marvel Rivals director Thaddeus Sasser says that Concord failed because it didn’t add any “unique value” to the market.
In contrast, the free-to-play title Marvel Rivals is thriving, already amassing over 10 million downloads.
Concord’s Firewalk Studios was shuttered by Sony shortly after the failed hero shooter was pulled from the market.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I can say that the gaming industry is as unpredictable as a rollercoaster ride at Six Flags. The latest case study of this unpredictability is the contrasting fates of Marvel Rivals and Concord.

Thaddeus Sasser, director of Marvel Rivals, thinks that Concord didn’t resonate with an audience because it didn’t offer anything distinctive in the market. Just like Marvel Rivals, Concord entered the competitive hero shooter scene in 2024. However, while Marvel Rivals has enjoyed significant success, Concord was closed down by Sony soon after its launch.

Sony’s team-based shooter game “Concord”, similar to Blizzard’s “Overwatch”, showcased an entire roster of unique characters. However, despite Sony’s attempts to acquaint players with the new characters and exciting gameplay mechanics, it didn’t manage to maintain a steady player base. Regrettably, following the shutdown of “Concord”, Firewalk Studios was closed by Sony. Some critics attribute this failure to the fact that “Concord” wasn’t free-to-play, while others argue it was due to inadequate marketing. On the other hand, “Marvel Rivals” launched as a free-to-play game and quickly resonated with audiences on various platforms.

During an interview on the VideoGamer podcast, Marvel Rivals game director Thaddeus Sasser expressed doubts about how Concord offered something exclusive to the hero shooter genre. He also mentioned the challenge of starting a new hero shooter due to the costs involved. In essence, he said, “I’ve already invested in Overwatch, I’ve got 15 skins for Pharah, I’m not going anywhere.” Sasser believes that Marvel Rivals distinguishes itself because its characters are well-known entities, with Marvel boasting a vast fanbase due to the comics and the MCU. Unlike Concord, Marvel Rivals has already built an audience, as it achieved 10 million downloads shortly after its launch.

Marvel Rivals Director Questions Concord’s “Unique Value”

Marvel Rivals Director Explains Why Concord Failed

When Sasser was presented with the idea of Marvel Rivals, his enthusiasm couldn’t be contained. ” Frankly, when I learned about the game, it felt something like, ‘Wow, I can’t wait to play as Storm in this game, or to become Doctor Strange!'” the director expressed. Marvel Rivals allows players to assume roles of numerous cherished heroes and villains. With 33 characters to select from and a free-to-play structure, it’s straightforward for everyone to join the fun. In an attempt to attract more players, NetEase Games has even proposed a collaboration between Marvel Rivals and Fortnite, as well as offering complimentary cosmetics.

Sasser also acknowledged that the gaming market is incredibly difficult to predict. He noted that some games seem like they will be successful and flop, while others seem like they will fail and attract huge audiences. Fortunately for Sasser and NetEase Games, Marvel Rivals seems to have been an instant success. While some fans feel that certain heroes are overpowered and require rebalancing, many are happy with their overall experience. With so much success in such a short amount of time, the future looks bright for Marvel Rivals and its fanbase.

2024-12-11 21:08

Key Takeaways

Marvel Rivals Director Questions Concord’s “Unique Value”

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