Sony’s Firewalk Studios is set to revolutionize the DEI hero shooter genre with their upcoming release, Concord. This highly woke anticipated 5v5 shooter, launching on August 23rd for PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam and Epic, has already garnered significant attention for its unique approach to monetization and game design.
Unlike many of its contemporaries, Concord will not feature a battle pass system, a decision that might be rare to find these days; even a full-price AAA game has a battle pass as a microtransaction, so you can spend another pennies.
A Bold Move: We Sell a $39.99 Game, So You Don’t Have another Battle Pass to Buy
In a world where seasonal battle passes have become the norm for live-service games, Firewalk Studios is taking a different route. Through a series of social media posts, the developers have confirmed that Concord will not include a battle pass. Instead, the focus will be on creating a rewarding and robust experience from day one. According to Firewalk Studios, just playing the game, leveling up accounts and characters, and completing in-game jobs will yield meaningful rewards.
Mark DeRidder, Concord’s gameplay animation director, emphasized this point in a separate post, stating, “No Battle Pass, folks. You own Concord, Concord doesn’t own you.”
This decision sets Concord apart from other major titles, including Sony’s own Helldivers 2, which rely heavily on time-consuming seasonal content.
Meaningful Progression and Rewards?
Firewalk Studios’ approach aims to make player progression and rewards more meaningful. Instead of grinding through a battle pass, players will experience a game that values their time and effort. This focus on intrinsic rewards over extrinsic incentives is designed to enhance the overall gameplay experience, making every match and achievement feel significant.
While Concord will not have a battle pass, the game will still include monetization through cosmetic character customization items. This ensures that players can personalize their gaming experience without feeling pressured to purchase a battle pass to stay competitive.
Firewalk Studios has promised that Concord will feature additional cinematics beyond those included in its recent open beta. These cinematics will enrich the narrative and provide deeper context for the game’s universe and characters. The studio is committed to delivering high-quality storytelling alongside its innovative gameplay.
Furthermore, Concord will receive regular post-launch updates, introducing new Freegunners (the game’s term for heroes), maps, modes, and more. All of these updates will be available to all players at no additional cost, ensuring that the community can enjoy fresh content without any barriers.
Diverse Game Modes and Full with Pronouns
At launch, Concord will include six distinct 5v5 team-based modes. These modes have been carefully designed to offer a variety of gameplay experiences, catering to different playstyles and strategies. Players will also have access to single-player training modes, which will help them hone their skills and familiarize themselves with the game’s mechanics.
Concord boasts a roster of 16 unique heroes, each with multiple unlockable variants. This diversity ensures that players can find a hero that suits their preferred playstyle, whether they enjoy aggressive, defensive, or support roles. The game’s depth and variety promise to keep players engaged and entertained for countless hours.