Sony’s Commitment to Live Service – Concord Feedback Sparks New Approach
Sony has always been a leader in single-player experiences, yet its recent foray into live-service gaming with Concord didn’t exactly land as hoped. Concord, a multiplayer shooter launched with high expectations, was discontinued just two weeks after its release due to poor sales and lukewarm reception. This setback has led Sony to rethink its live-service approach, focusing more on gathering feedback and improving its evaluation process for future titles. In this Sony commitment to live service article, we’ll examine what went wrong with Concord and how Sony plans to avoid similar pitfalls in the future.
Why Concord Fell Short of Expectations
When Concord launched, it came with high hopes but was met with disappointing results. According to Sony's executive Hiroki Totoki, the lack of pre-launch feedback and limited playtesting contributed to its rapid failure. “We are still in the process of learning,” Totoki said during a recent Q&A session with investors. He added, “We need to have a lot of gates, including user testing and internal evaluation, and the timing of such gates, we need to bring them forward. We should have done those gates much earlier than we did [for Concord].”
For a game meant to carve a place in Sony’s live-service portfolio, Concord faced several challenges from the start. Its gameplay was shown to the public only a few months before launch, giving little time to gauge the public’s reaction or address potential issues. In hindsight, early feedback might have revealed some flaws in its design and appeal, enabling Sony to make adjustments before it hit the shelves.
Sony’s Plans to Refine Its Live-Service Approach
Emphasizing Early Feedback and Evaluation
One key takeaway for Sony is the need to gather feedback earlier in the development cycle. Totoki mentioned that Sony would introduce “more detailed confirmation or validation” steps to ensure a game’s potential before release. This shift signals Sony’s commitment to live service games while recognizing the unique challenges these titles present.
By implementing additional “gates” or checkpoints, Sony aims to improve its internal evaluation process. These gates will include early playtesting, more user feedback, and regular internal reviews, allowing developers to identify potential issues early on. As Totoki noted, Sony’s traditional approach often operates in silos, where different departments work independently. Breaking down these barriers will help streamline communication between development and sales teams, ultimately leading to smoother launches.
Learning from Concord and Helldivers 2
The situation with Concord offers a stark contrast to Helldivers 2, another Sony-published live-service game released this year. Unlike Concord, Helldivers 2 quickly became a success, despite having limited public playtesting and a relatively low marketing profile. This discrepancy raises questions about what Sony could have done differently with Concord. In the case of Helldivers 2, the game had a dedicated fanbase and was even featured in “Most Wanted” lists before release, helping to generate buzz. It also benefited from being part of an established franchise, which provided a foundation of trust among players.
While there’s no exact formula for success in live-service games, Totoki’s comments suggest that Sony will be more cautious and strategic moving forward. A longer testing period and increased collaboration among teams may help Sony avoid future missteps and strengthen its position in the live-service market.
The Financial Impact and Sony’s Revised Strategy
Costly Missteps and Future Investment Decisions
The quick failure of Concord was a costly one for Sony. Not only was there a significant investment in development, but Sony also acquired the studio behind Concord mid-development. After the game’s poor performance, Sony shut down the studio rather than reallocating its resources. This decision reflects the financial pressure Sony faces in its live-service endeavors and highlights the risk involved.
During the investor call, Totoki admitted that Sony’s strength lies in single-player games with proven IPs, which tend to have a higher predictability of success. “Single-player games have a higher predictability of becoming hits thanks to our proven IP,” he noted. However, Sony remains committed to exploring live-service games despite the risks, as these games offer the potential for long-term player engagement and revenue.
Balancing Single-Player Success with Live-Service Potential
Sony’s dedication to live service reflects a desire to capture the substantial revenue opportunities these games offer. Live-service titles often generate a steady income through microtransactions, expansions, and ongoing player engagement. However, balancing these games with Sony’s successful single-player experiences is a challenging task.
The failure of Concord underscores the importance of careful planning and extensive feedback. Moving forward, Sony’s commitment to live service will likely involve taking measured risks with new IPs and relying on more in-depth testing and feedback loops. This strategy can help Sony tap into the potential of live-service games without compromising its reputation for quality storytelling in single-player experiences.
A New Direction for Sony’s Live-Service Ventures
Learning from Mistakes and Looking Ahead
The Concord situation serves as a learning experience for Sony, illuminating areas where their live-service model can improve. Totoki’s comments highlight Sony’s willingness to adapt and refine its approach to live-service gaming. He acknowledged the need for a more collaborative process that integrates development, marketing, and user feedback, especially for new IPs.
By fostering an environment where feedback is gathered early and often, Sony can better understand player expectations and refine game mechanics before launch. This approach allows for a more responsive development process, which is crucial in today’s competitive gaming landscape.
What Gamers Can Expect from Sony’s Future Live-Service Titles
Sony’s dedication to refining its live-service approach means that future titles could offer a more polished and player-centered experience. With more frequent testing phases and open communication, Sony can deliver live-service games that resonate with its audience. This shift may also encourage the use of established franchises with built-in fanbases, similar to the success seen with Helldivers 2.
Although live-service games come with their own set of risks, Sony’s renewed approach shows a desire to grow in this area without abandoning its roots in single-player storytelling. Gamers can expect future Sony live-service titles to be more carefully curated, focusing more on quality and player satisfaction.
Conclusion: Sony’s Evolving Commitment to Live Service
The failure of Concord has driven Sony to reevaluate its approach to live-service games. The insights gained from this experience are shaping Sony’s strategy, emphasizing early feedback, streamlined collaboration, and a commitment to improving game quality. With Sony's commitment to live service still in place, the company aims to deliver live-service games that meet its high standards and appeal to players.
While live-service games pose unique challenges, Sony’s adaptive strategy may position it for success in this competitive space. For fans, this means future Sony live-service games will benefit from more refined development and a focus on delivering engaging long-lasting experiences. With Concord behind them, Sony looks forward to applying these lessons and making a more meaningful impact in the live-service gaming landscape.