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PlayStation Studios Boss Vows to Avoid ‘Concord‘s Mistakes with ‘Marathon‘
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playstation Studios boss Hermen Hulst is confident that the upcoming team-based PvP shooter Marathon will avoid the pitfalls that led to the cancellation of Concord,and maintains a positive outlook on the live service game market. This assurance comes after a period of restructuring within Sony’s PlayStation Studios,including the cancellation of two live service projects and subsequent layoffs.
Learning from Past Failures
In a recent statement, Hulst acknowledged the significant effort put into Concord, but admitted the game “entered into a hyper-competitive segment of the market” and lacked sufficient differentiation to capture player interest.
“I think that some really good work went into that title,” Hulst explained. “Some really big efforts. but ultimately that title entered into a hyper-competitive segment of the market. I think it was insufficiently differentiated to be able to resonate with players. So we have reviewed our processes considering this to deeply understand how and why that title failed to meet expectations-and to ensure that we are not going to make the same mistakes again.”
The cancellation of Concord, developed by Firesprite, followed the axing of a God of War live service title from Santa Monica Studio and another project at Bend Studio. The Bend Studio cancellations also resulted in layoffs, impacting an undisclosed number of employees. These decisions signaled a shift in Sony’s strategy regarding live service games,following a period of increased investment in the genre.
A Renewed Focus on Differentiation
Despite the setbacks, Hulst remains optimistic about the potential of live service games, emphasizing the need for strong differentiation. marathon, being developed by Bungie (the studio behind Destiny), is seen as a key test for PlayStation’s revised approach.
Bungie’s expertise in the live service space is expected to be crucial. The studio’s track record with Destiny 2 – a game that has sustained a dedicated player base for years through consistent updates and expansions – offers a strong foundation for Marathon.However, Hulst’s comments suggest PlayStation is taking a more cautious and analytical approach this time around, prioritizing unique gameplay experiences and a clear understanding of the target audience.The focus on avoiding Concord’s mistakes suggests a deeper dive into market research and a more critical evaluation of game concepts before committing significant resources. PlayStation appears to be learning from its experiences, aiming to create live service titles that not only compete in a crowded market but also stand out with compelling and unique offerings.
PlayStation 5 Sales Continue to Soar
The news regarding Marathon and Sony’s live service strategy comes as the PlayStation 5 continues to achieve notable sales figures. The console has now surpassed 80 million units sold globally, demonstrating strong consumer demand and solidifying playstation’s position in the gaming market.