Thaddeus Sasser, Director of Success Marvel Rivalsdid not mince his words when analyzing the bitter failure of Concordthe hero shooter from Firewalk Studios. Launched on PS5 and PC, the latter closed its servers only a few days after its release. For Sasser, the main reason is clear: the game did not offer “unique value” to stand out in an already saturated genre.
During an appearance on the VideoGamer podcast, he explained that Concord lacked sufficiently original elements to attract players. “There is a cost to changing the game”he declared. “For example, if I invested in Overwatch, with 15 skins for Pharah, why would I go anywhere else? »
However, Sasser acknowledges that there is no magic formula to guarantee the success of a game. He admits to being constantly worried before the public reception. “Predicting the success of a game is almost impossible”he says. “There are games that we think are doomed to failure that explode. Others we believe to be unstoppable who collapse. It’s an unpredictable industry. »
The director emphasizes, however, that Marvel Rivals benefits from a major asset: Marvel’s iconic superheroes and villains. This factor immediately struck him as a captivating idea. “When I heard the concept, I thought it would be super fun to play with Marvel characters. If we’ve done a good job, players will love what they try and come back to play. »
Marvel Rivals, available on PS5, Xbox Series and Steam, has recorded an impressive peak of 480,990 concurrent players since its release on December 6, 2024. Community figures remain stable, confirming that the game has captivated its audience.
The failure of Concord contrasts sharply with this success, reminding us of the importance for a game to stand out and offer a memorable experience.