Sony's $40 hero shooter Concord skips battle pass

Sony's $40 hero shooter, Concord, is set to launch in August for PlayStation 5 and PC, and it's bringing a refreshing twist to the live service market by forgoing a battle pass. Developed by Firewalk Studios, Concord will utilize an old-school unlock system based solely on gameplay and leveling up. This approach sets it apart from competitors like Overwatch 2, Apex Legends, and Valorant, which rely heavily on microtransactions and battle passes. Despite undergoing closed and open betas with lackluster concurrent player numbers on Steam, Sony hopes the game will perform better on PS5. However, the game faces challenges like no PvE mode at launch and issues with player penalties for early leavers, which are still under development. Early reviews suggest Concord could struggle to meet the commercial expectations set by previous Sony live service hits like Helldivers 2.

Concord launches with six 5v5 PvP modes, 12 maps, and hundreds of customization items to unlock. The game will also feature weekly cinematic vignettes to deepen player immersion in the Freegunner universe. Firewalk Studios plans to add new characters, maps, and other content through regular post-launch seasons.

Concord aims to break the mold of traditional live service games by offering a complete experience without the need for ongoing microtransactions or battle passes. Its success will depend on how well it can capture and retain its player base amid stiff competition.