We need to talk about Concord.

Summary

The video script addresses the underwhelming reception of 'Concord,' a video game by first-time developer Firewalk Studios, published by Sony. The speaker, a seasoned industry professional, criticizes the game's heavy focus on identity politics and lack of unique traits, which have alienated gamers. They advise Firewalk Studios and Sony to acknowledge their mistakes, prioritize customer experience, and innovate rather than replicate existing games. The speaker also encourages gamers to voice their preferences to shape the future of the gaming industry.

Takeaways

• 👨‍💻 The speaker is a full-time game developer with a background in various industries, including public relations and brand management.
• 🎮 'Concord' is a video game developed by first-time developer Firewalk Studios and published by Sony, known for their electronic entertainment devices like the Walkman.
• 📈 Concord's development took 8 years and reportedly cost Sony around $100 million, highlighting the scale of the project for a first-time developer.
• 📉 The game's launch saw low numbers and largely negative customer reactions, underperforming in a competitive genre of online multiplayer hero shooters.
• 💬 The game's focus on identity politics and the use of pronouns in character selection received negative feedback from players.
• 🔍 The speaker criticizes the developers for disregarding audience feedback and pushing their vision without considering customer preferences.
• 🚫 The speaker advises Firewalk Studios to accept their approach was wrong and that focusing on identity politics is not well-received by gamers.
• 💡 The speaker emphasizes that good games are not made by identity politics or diversity alone but by creating engaging and unique experiences.
• 📊 The speaker calls on the game industry to innovate and not just replicate past successes, stating that gamers want new and interesting experiences.
• 🤝 Sony is urged to treat its audience as equals, listen to their feedback, and rebuild its team with professionals who understand modern customer expectations.
• 🗣️ The speaker encourages gamers to voice their opinions constructively, advocating for the importance of feedback in shaping the future of the gaming industry.
• 🚫 The speaker discourages creating rage bait content or being negative without a genuine reason, highlighting the potential harm to the industry and developers.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video script?

The main topic of the video script is a discussion about the video game 'Concord', its development, launch issues, and the broader implications for the gaming industry.

Who is the speaker in the video script?

The speaker is a full-time game developer who has worked in various roles including public relations, brand management, digital technology consulting, and event management.

What is the game 'Concord'?

'Concord' is a video game developed by first-time developer Firewalk Studios and published by Sony.

How long did it take to develop 'Concord' and what was the reported cost?

It took 8 years to develop 'Concord', and it reportedly cost Sony around $100 million to produce.

What is the speaker's intention with the video?

The speaker's intention is to offer advice to Firewalk Studios, Sony, future game developers, and fellow gamers to help understand the problems with 'Concord' and the gaming industry as a whole.

What genre is 'Concord' entering and what are its challenges?

'Concord' is entering the hero shooter genre as an online multiplayer game, competing with well-established games in the market.

What was the customer reaction to 'Concord' upon launch?

The customer reaction and response to 'Concord' upon launch were largely negative, with low launch numbers and user numbers.

What is the speaker's view on the focus on identity politics in 'Concord'?

The speaker believes that the focus on identity politics in 'Concord' is not well-received by gamers and the gaming industry, and it is not a desirable trait in a game.

What advice does the speaker give to Firewalk Studios regarding their approach to 'Concord'?

The speaker advises Firewalk Studios to accept that their approach was wrong, especially regarding the focus on identity politics, and to listen to their audience's feedback.

What does the speaker suggest to the gaming industry regarding the creation of new games?

The speaker suggests that the gaming industry should create something new and interesting instead of producing generic AAA games, and to offer these new experiences to players to see if they are desired.

What is the speaker's stance on the negative behavior towards 'Concord' online?

The speaker, as an adult, does not condone the negative behavior and rage bait content online but encourages gamers to voice their genuine concerns and dislikes about 'Concord' to the industry.

Outlines

00:00

🕹️ Game Industry Critique: Concord's Launch Issues

The speaker, a veteran in various fields including game development, addresses the disappointing launch of 'Concord,' a game by first-time developer Firewalk Studios. The game, published by Sony, took eight years and a significant budget to develop but failed to meet expectations due to low launch numbers and negative customer feedback. The speaker criticizes the game's focus on identity politics and the developers' disregard for audience preferences, suggesting that Firewalk Studios and Sony misunderstood the gaming community's desires. The speaker also touches on the broader issue of the gaming industry's reliance on live service models and the negative impact of such business practices on player experience.

05:02

📢 Call for Change: Rebuilding the Gaming Industry

In the second paragraph, the speaker offers advice to Firewalk Studios, urging them to acknowledge their mistakes and realign their approach with what gamers want. The speaker emphasizes the importance of creating engaging, unique games rather than focusing on identity politics. They also advise Sony to rebuild their team with professionals who understand modern customer expectations and cultural nuances. The speaker calls on gamers to voice their opinions constructively, advocating for high-quality games and against settling for subpar products. The paragraph concludes with a message of empowerment for gamers to potentially become game creators themselves, shaping the future of the industry.

Keywords

💡Public Relations

Public relations (PR) is the practice of managing and maintaining a positive public image for an individual, company, client, or brand. In the context of the video, the speaker has experience in PR, which is relevant to the discussion about how the game 'Concord' and its developers are perceived by the public and how they manage their image in light of negative feedback.

💡Brand Management

Brand management involves the planning, organizing, and budgeting of marketing programs aimed at promoting a brand. The video script mentions the speaker's background in brand management, which is pertinent to the critique of how the game 'Concord' and its developer, Firewalk Studios, have managed their brand in the face of controversy and negative reception.

💡Digital Technology Consultant

A digital technology consultant is a professional who provides expert advice on the use of digital technology in solving business problems. The speaker's role as a consultant is significant as it lends credibility to their critique of the game's development and marketing strategies, particularly in the context of digital gaming and online communities.

💡Event Manager

An event manager is responsible for overseeing the planning and execution of events, which requires organizational skills and attention to detail. The speaker's experience as an event manager is indirectly related to the video's theme, as managing the launch of a video game like 'Concord' can be seen as a significant event that requires careful planning and execution.

💡Games Developer

A games developer is someone who designs and creates video games. The speaker identifies as a full-time games developer, which establishes their authority to comment on the development process of 'Concord' and the challenges faced by first-time developers like Firewalk Studios.

💡Sony

Sony is a multinational conglomerate known for its electronics and entertainment divisions, including PlayStation and Sony Music. In the script, Sony is mentioned as the publisher of 'Concord,' highlighting the company's role in the game's production and its potential impact on the game's reception and success.

💡Walkman

The Walkman is a portable media player developed by Sony and is used in the script as a historical reference to Sony's innovation in consumer electronics. It serves as a contrast to the current situation with 'Concord,' suggesting that not all of Sony's ventures are successful.

💡Identity Politics

Identity politics refers to political positions based on the interests and perspectives of social groups with which people identify. In the video, the speaker criticizes the game 'Concord' for its heavy focus on identity politics, suggesting that this approach has alienated gamers and contributed to the game's negative reception.

💡Live Service Games

Live service games are video games that are continually updated and maintained over time, often requiring in-game purchases. The script mentions that gamers are 'burned out' on these types of games, indicating a trend of player fatigue and dissatisfaction with the business model.

💡Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are principles that promote a fair and just environment for all people. The video discusses how the game 'Concord' has been criticized for its focus on these principles, suggesting that while they are generally positive concepts, their implementation in the game has been poorly received.

💡Pronouns

The use of pronouns in the context of the video refers to the choice of personal pronouns (he/him, she/her, they/them, etc.) in the character selection menu of 'Concord.' The speaker notes that this feature has been met with negative reactions from players, indicating a cultural or generational divide in gaming preferences.

💡Rage Baiting

Rage baiting is a controversial online practice where content is created to deliberately provoke anger or strong reactions from viewers. The speaker disapproves of this behavior in the context of discussions about 'Concord,' advocating for constructive criticism instead.

💡AAA Games

AAA (Triple-A) games are high-budget, high-profile video games produced and published by well-established companies. The script criticizes the AAA industry for producing generic games and encourages developers to create something new and interesting, reflecting the desire for innovation in the gaming industry.

Highlights

The speaker has a diverse background in public relations, brand management, digital technology consulting, event management, and is currently a full-time game developer.

Concord is a video game developed by Firewalk Studios, marking their first game and a massive endeavor for a first-time project.

Sony, the publisher of Concord, is known for its Electronic Entertainment device, the Walkman.

Concord took 8 years to develop and cost Sony around $100 million to produce.

The speaker is offering advice as a game developer, not reviewing or criticizing the game for engagement.

Concord's launch numbers and user numbers were low and below expectations.

Customer reaction to the game is largely negative, with the game entering a competitive genre.

The game and brand focus heavily on identity politics, which has been met with backlash from gamers.

A developer of Concord has insulted gamers, calling them 'talentless freaks'.

The speaker argues that identity politics and personal biases should not overshadow creating an engaging game experience.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are good, but their implementation in Concord has been poorly received.

The speaker advises Firewalk Studios to accept their approach was wrong and to focus on creating a better gaming experience.

Sony is advised to treat their audience as equals and listen to their feedback.

Gamers are urged to voice their opinions on games they dislike for genuine reasons to help the industry improve.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of not settling for subpar games and pushing for the AAA industry to provide the best.

The speaker concludes by encouraging gamers to create games if they have the power, to contribute positively to the industry.

The speaker did not play Concord due to time constraints and a belief that it is not worth the time.

Transcripts

thanks for joining me today who I am

does not matter I've worked in industry

in public relations brand management as

a digital technology consultant event

manager and I'm now a full-time games

developer running my own studio so

here's the situation I want to discuss

today Concord is a video game developed

by firsttime developer firewalk Studios

and published by Sony you may have heard

of Sony they made this Electronic

Entertainment device you might have used

before it's called the Walkman this is

firewalks Studio's very first game and

it is a massive Endeavor for a

development team's firsttime project

Concord took 8 years to develop and

reportedly cost Sony around $100 million

to

produce in this video I will not be

reviewing Concord as I am not a reviewer

I will not be criticizing or rage

baiting content for engagement as I am

not a YouTuber I will be offering my

advice as a game developer as a working

professional and lastly as an adult

which it firewalk Studios is in

desperate need of I'm making this video

for firewalk studios for Sony for future

game developers who will be making games

for us in the years to come and for my

fellow Gamers to help understand what

the problem is here so here's the

problem Concord launch numbers and user

numbers upon launch are quite low well

below expectations customer reaction and

response to the game is largely negative

the game is entering the hero shooter

genre as an online multiplayer game

competing with games that are already

well

established the game and brand puts a

heavy focus on identity politics a

developer of the game has called Gamers

and their target audience talentless

Freaks and the game and brand has no

identifying unique traits Sony the

publisher and firewalk Studios the

developer totally disregarded the

response of Their audience and forged

ahead with their Vision because they

knew better than the customers when the

Gameplay trailer for Concord was

originally shown two months ago response

from Gamers was and still is largely

negative according to my research

players are not interested in another

generic online squad-based hero shooter

we already have so many of those and

whether or not people actively think

about it Gamers do understand the

predatory focus of live service games

gamers are burned out on live service

games that manipulate the player into

spending money on in-game purchases

whether that be for alternate outfits

for characters or mechanical advantages

that let them have an easier time

beating other

players what seems important is that

concord's character design places a

heavy focus on diversity equity and

inclusion players have responded by

expressing their dislike for the

character designs and the usage of

pronouns in the character selection menu

now diversity equity and inclusion Is

Not a Bad Thing those are good things

the problem is that people who are

pushing those Concepts into the public

space lack the maturity self-awareness

and understanding of social

responsibility to to do it correctly and

are instead causing more damage to

social progress and are actually pushing

back social inclusivity further and

further the developers of Concord

clearly lack the understanding that

taking a cultural topic with negative

association and making that part of your

game's identity will then result in your

product your game bearing the entirety

of the weight of that negative

association so here's the important part

here is my advice to firewalk Studios

you need to accept that your approach

was wrong and your focus on identity

politics is something that Gamers and

the gaming industry at large does not

like and does not want I know it is

difficult to hear this but it seems you

do not have any adults in your working

environment to tell you this and explain

it to you based on your marketing it

seems you have an attitude that is

unappealing to your audience and

damaging to your product you are very

clearly capable and talented developers

but with Concord instead of spending

your attention and resources on creating

an engaging and new unique game with a

focus on providing the best possible

experience for the end user you seem to

have focused on identity politics and

shoving your personal biases upon your

customers this is a message for the

entire game industry identity politics

does not make a good game diversity does

not make a good game and pronouns do not

make a good game diversity can make a

good game better but diversity will make

a bad game worse to the games industry

stop producing the same generic AAA slop

just copying someone else's homework and

doing what was successful last year

Gamers don't know what they will want

next year and it's not their job it is

your job to create something new and

interesting offer that to the player and

see if that is something they want and

like and what players and Gamers do know

is what they don't want what they don't

want is Concord to Sony I strongly

advise you start treating your audience

your customers as human beings and as

equals and you start listening to them

you made a mistake with Concord by

letting it turn out this way I would

advise rebuilding your team of

consultants and marketing managers with

professionals who have a stronger

understanding of modern expectations of

your customers and awareness of The

Wider cultural

landscape to my fellow Gamers there are

a lot of negative videos and posts about

Concord online right now as an adult I

cannot condone that kind of behavior

but as a gamer and a professional I urge

you please continue to let your voice be

heard and let others hear your thoughts

if you really really dislike something

for a genuine reason it is vital to the

games industry that you let it be known

creating rage bait content and being

negative for the sake of being negative

will destroy the industry especially for

small and independent developers but in

this situation you absolutely have to

let the industry know you do not want

more games like Concord you have to let

developers and Publishers know you do

not care about identity politics you

care about good games you want the best

games that the AAA industry can provide

do not settle for slop and if it is

within your power you create games you

make something great for your fellow

Gamers because you will be the future of

the games industry thank you for

watching and if you're wondering no I

didn't play Concord at an adult I have

very limited time so I can't afford to

waste my time playing garbage