Concord Hero Shooter Defies Expectations With No Battle Pass

When it comes to modern multiplayer shooters, battle passes have become almost ubiquitous. They are a way for developers to extract ongoing revenue from players, ensuring a steady stream of income and prolonged engagement. However, the upcoming hero shooter Concord by Firewalk Studios is bucking the trend in a refreshing and exciting way.

In response to curious players, Firewalk took to social media to clarify their stance. Interestingly, Concord will not feature a battle pass, nor does the studio plan to implement one in the future. According to Firewalk, the game aims to be fundamentally enjoyable. The developers believe that players will find enough fulfillment through completing "jobs" — challenges that advance your character and account.

There are a number of challenges and benefits to this bold decision. Battle passes, and similar monetization strategies often fund ongoing development for live-service games. Yet, Firewalk has assured fans that Concord will receive regular post-launch content, including seasonal updates. The kicker? These additions will be free, and they are all included in the base $40 price tag.

Firewalk believes that "owning Concord" should mean a fun and engagement-centric experience. This is a significant deviation from the industry standard of multiple currency types and complex reward systems. Concord designers appear to have faith in their core gameplay loop, hoping that immersive gameplay will keep players returning. This could set a new precedent, pushing other developers to rethink monetization strategies.

However, the studio has offered pre-purchase packages, including cosmetic skins and even an early access deal where players can jump into the game three days ahead of launch. Despite this, the main philosophy remains unchanged: satisfaction through gameplay rather than monetary incentives. This candid and heartfelt approach has already garnered positive feedback from initial beta testers.

Firewalk's decision to launch Concord without a battle pass sets it apart from the plethora of monetized live-service games currently dominating the market. By emphasizing pure gameplay, the studio is banking on the intrinsic joy and engagement of playing the game itself. This move is both bold and commendable, showing that high-quality content doesn't necessarily need ongoing monetary investment from players — just their genuine interest and time.

As we edge closer to Concord's release, it'll be fascinating to see how this approach pans out in the long run. If successful, this could indeed influence how future games balance fun and monetization. Whether you are a fan of hero shooters or simply curious about new trends in game development, Concord promises to be an experience worth exploring. Stay tuned for its late August launch — you might find that sometimes, less truly is more.