The video game industry is no stranger to the highs and lows of game reception, but the recent shutdown of Sony’s Concord just two weeks post-launch has spotlighted the harsh realities of launching new titles in competitive genres. Amidst this unfolding drama, Sam Winkler, a narrative director at Gearbox working on the anticipated Borderlands 4, offered some sagacious advice to the Concord development team, drawing from his own experiences with the now-defunct Battleborn.
The Swift Fall of Concord
Concord, envisioned as Sony’s breakout into the hero-shooter market, was met with daunting challenges from the start. Despite an eight-year development cycle, the game launched to disappointing sales figures and low player engagement, leading to its rapid delisting announcement by Sony. The game’s vibrant art style and innovative mechanics were not enough to secure a lasting legacy in the crowded market space dominated by established titles.
Winkler's Words of Wisdom
Reacting to the news of Concord's imminent closure, Winkler took to Twitter to urge the developers to safeguard their work: “Anyone who worked on Concord (or any live service game) - get your work captured ASAP." He shared his personal regret over not securing his work on Battleborn, which also faced a similar fate. Winkler’s tweet emphasizes the importance of preserving one’s contributions, especially in an industry where the line between success and shutdown can be perilously thin.
The Importance of Game Preservation
Winkler's advice underscores a critical aspect of game development often overlooked until too late—preservation. For developers, capturing and archiving their work can serve as a crucial portfolio piece for future opportunities and a reminder of their professional journey. This practice is not just about keeping a backup but also about maintaining a record of one’s creativity and innovation, which might otherwise be lost in the digital ether.
A Crowded Arena
The challenges faced by Concord and Battleborn highlight the difficulties of making a mark in the hero-shooter genre, which continues to evolve rapidly. Both games struggled to carve out a niche against monumental titles like Overwatch. With Valve’s Deadlock poised to enter the market, the competition shows no signs of slowing down, further complicating the prospects for new entrants.