Sony’s latest multiplayer hero shooter game, Concord, developed by Firewalk Studios, is being discontinued on September 6, 2024, a mere two weeks after its launch on August 23. The game’s poor performance, with estimated sales of only 25,000 copies and a peak of 700 concurrent players on Steam, led to this unprecedented decision.Game Director Ryan Ellis acknowledged the game’s shortcomings in a statement: ‘While many qualities of the experience resonated with players, we also recognize that other aspects of the game and our initial launch didn’t land the way we’d intended’. As a result, Sony has ceased all sales of the game and will offer full refunds to all players who purchased Concord on PlayStation 5, PC via Steam, or the Epic Games Store.The decision to pull Concord offline so quickly after launch is considered a major setback for Sony, especially given the game’s reported $100 million budget and eight years of development. This move raises questions about the viability of live-service games and Sony’s strategy in this space.The future of Concord remains uncertain. Some sources suggest that Sony and Firewalk Studios may explore options to relaunch the game, potentially as a free-to-play title or with significant changes to its structure. However, no official plans have been announced beyond the September 6 shutdown.This situation has sparked discussions within the gaming community about the sustainability of live-service games and the impact on developers. As one commenter noted, ‘It’s not enough to be mechanically sound if people aren’t drawn to the heroes they’re playing’. The industry will be watching closely to see how Sony addresses this setback and what it might mean for future live-service game development.
Key points
- Sony’s Concord is being shut down on September 6, 2024, just two weeks after launch due to poor sales and low player count.
- Full refunds will be offered to all players who purchased the game on PS5 or PC.
- The game’s failure represents a significant setback for Sony, given its reported $100 million budget and eight years of development.
- The future of Concord is uncertain, with possibilities including a potential relaunch as a free-to-play game.
Contradictions👾While most sources agree on the 25,000 copies sold figure, there is some discrepancy in the reported peak concurrent players on Steam, with some sources citing 700 and others mentioning 697.
