Concord’s Lost Potential Revealed: Insights from Secret Level

The recent installment of Prime Video’s Secret Level, featuring the episode on Concord, highlights the unrealized potential of this short-lived hero shooter, shedding light on what could have been achieved within the gaming world. Over its run, Secret Level has adapted a total of 15 video games, encompassing both classic and contemporary titles. Yet, not every game has reached legendary status. Concord, a prime example of failure in the industry, was particularly surprising to see included in the series. Despite its early demise, Secret Level effectively showcased Concord’s inherent strengths, revealing facets of the game that may have gone unnoticed during its brief existence.

As a hero shooter, Concord allowed players to embody distinct characters, each equipped with unique abilities. Much like titles such as Overwatch 2 or Marvel Rivals, teams were formed with a strategic focus on each character’s strengths, battling rival teams constructed in a similar manner. Despite this, Concord struggled to distinguish itself in a saturated market, leading to its discontinuation shortly after launch. Although the game has since become unplayable, Secret Level offered an imaginative take on Concord, hinting at what might have been achieved.

An Overview of Concord’s Episode in Secret Level

Setting the Stage: “Tale of the Implacable”

Image from Secret Level's episode on Concord

In the thirteenth episode of Secret Level, titled “Concord: Tale of the Implacable,”viewers follow a band of Freegunners—Kai, Rade, Sladie, and Smokes—aboard their spacecraft, the Implacable. The narrative centers on their endeavor to rescue their captain, Cassidy Taimak, who fell into enemy hands following a daring theft of a Guild map. During a botched rescue attempt, the crew finds themselves captured by a Guild officer, prompting them to transmit their map to the galaxy’s other pirates, effectively facilitating widespread space travel.

Cast & Characters of Concord: Tales of the Implacable
Actor	Role
Leah Harvey	Cassidy Taimak
Arthur Lee	When
Max Rinehart	Julius
Dimitri Abold	They work
Rachel Handshaw	It sweetens
Laura Bailey	Smokes
Louis Martin	Callosian Officer
Derek Phillips	Lennox
Kerry Gutierrez	Spitz
Darin De Paul	Bartender/Narrator

The “Tale of the Implacable”maintains thematic parallels with notable science fiction narratives such as Firefly and its sequel film, Serenity. Similar to Concord, Firefly features a galaxy controlled by a powerful regime, the Union of Allied Planets. The protagonists of Firefly are portrayed as outlaws who initially seek monetary gain but ultimately evolve into inspirational figures. Both titles share the aesthetic of a Western frontier in space, emphasizing the allure of an outlaw’s freedom.

Exploring the Open-Ended Nature of Concord’s Narrative

Intriguing Elements Awaiting Exploration

The Tempest in Secret Level episode 13 'Concord: Tale of the Implacable'

Notably, “Tale of the Implacable”deviates from featuring the main characters of Concord, effectively acting as a prequel. It intricately establishes the conflicts and pirate dynamics that would later involve the game’s primary characters. As an introduction to the Concord narrative, Secret Level successfully captured the essence of what made this universe intriguing. While it may not stand out as the series’ best episode, it delicately painted the unique qualities of Concord, presenting a vision worth pursuing.

The unresolved conclusion of the episode signifies that Concord represents a realm teeming with untold stories. Though it may not rival legendary franchises like Star Wars or Firefly, Concord introduces compelling elements worthy of exploration. The ongoing conflict between the Guild and the Freegunners presents a rich asymmetrical dynamic, conducive to a multitude of engaging narratives. Additionally, the Freegunners’ piratical nature could have fostered a diverse array of vibrant characters, enhancing the richness of the storyline.

Furthermore, Concord’s universe was designed with intriguing concepts. Unlike other portrayals of space travel that often lack peril, Concord’s depiction presented a thrilling sense of danger, offering a refreshing perspective on the logistics of spacefaring. The Tempest itself invites questions regarding its origins and destructive capabilities, creating a desire to delve deeper into its mysteries. Ultimately, the open-ended conclusion illustrates that Concord was a canvas waiting to be filled with a myriad of stories.

Examining Concord’s Closure: Causes and Insights from Secret Level

Concord’s Downfall Due to Low Player Engagement

Regrettably, Concord will not reap the benefits of the groundwork laid by Secret Level. The game was taken offline on September 6, 2024, a mere fortnight after its debut. Sony swiftly dismantled both Concord and its developer, Firewalk Studios. According to the studio, low player engagement was the primary reason for Concord’s demise, with the peak of player concurrency on Steam barely reaching 700.

A combination of factors contributed to Concord’s inability to capture players’ attention, including a $40 price tag competing against free-to-play alternatives like Overwatch 2 and Marvel Rivals, as well as criticism surrounding its character designs, which were deemed lacking in originality.

In its shutdown, Concord leaves behind Secret Level as its sole remaining connection for fans. While the show encapsulates the potential of Concord, it unfortunately cannot resurrect the game. Surprisingly, Secret Level chose to retain the episode, even after the cancellation, an unexpected move that sparks contemplation—especially in light of remarks made by series creator Tim Miller (as reported by Variety).

“My first thought when we heard it was not, ‘Oh, woe is us’ for our show — we really felt bad for these people, because they’re friends and fellow artists and people who are willing to take some risks. And we both know what it’s like to not have those risks succeed, and they’re really good people who are just trying to make a great game.”

Miller displayed profound empathy for his fellow creators. Since the Concord episode had already been completed when the game was canceled, he decided to include it as a tribute to the creative efforts of everyone involved in the project (via Collider).

“First of all, we have other episodes that don’t have existing games out there, either because they haven’t come out yet, or because they came out in the past and are not currently published. So I didn’t feel weird about that. But also, why? Hundreds of artists and animators and lighters and modelers worked on this episode, and it’s great. The characters are cool. It’s funny. It’s a really interesting episode. So why add insult to injury and not have all that hard work be shown to the world? It’s a great episode, regardless of whatever happened.”

Miller’s reflections suggest that Secret Level not only serves as a prequel to Concord but also provides a poignant farewell. The series also manages to deliver an unexpectedly suitable conclusion for the ill-fated game.

An Appropriate Farewell from Secret Level

A Bittersweet Conclusion for Concord

Cassidy Taimak absorbed by the Tempest in Secret Level episode 13 'Concord: Tale of the Implacable'

Ultimately, the conclusion of the “Tale of the Implacable”resonates with the essence of Concord’s story, while reflecting the broader narrative contained within the game. Even though Concord has ceased to exist as a playable title, the narrative and universe crafted by Firewalk Studios continue to leave an impact, and Secret Level has played a pivotal role in ensuring its legacy persists. The world of Concord remains rich with storytelling potential, thanks to the dedication of its artists and writers. Much like the crew of the Implacable, the conclusion is less significant than the journey itself. In that sense, Secret Level serves as a tender and fitting tribute to Concord.

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