Concord's launch was underwhelming, resulting in a rapid server shutdown. This article delves into the reasons behind the game's closure.
Firewalk Studios' Hero Shooter, Concord, Grounds to a Halt Two Weeks Post-Launch
Lack of Hype Leads to Closure
Firewalk Studios' 5v5 hero shooter, Concord, is ceasing operations just two weeks after its release. Game Director Ryan Ellis announced the shutdown on September 3rd, 2024, via the PlayStation Blog, citing unmet expectations.
Ellis stated that while certain aspects resonated with players, the overall launch fell short of their goals. Consequently, servers were taken offline on September 6th, 2024. Digital purchases on Steam, Epic Games Store, and the PlayStation Store will receive automatic refunds. Physical copy owners should contact their retailer for returns.
Firewalk and Sony clearly envisioned greater success for Concord. Sony's acquisition of Firewalk, based on their perceived potential, appeared promising, especially considering positive comments from Ellis and Firewalk's studio head, Tony Hsu. Concord was even slated for an episode in the Prime Video series, Secret Level. An ambitious post-launch plan, including a Season 1 launch in October and weekly cutscenes, was also outlined.
However, the game's poor performance necessitated a drastic revision of these plans. Only three cutscenes were released (two from beta testing and one shortly before the announcement). The future of the planned storyline remains uncertain.
Concord's Demise: A Multifaceted Failure
Concord's decline was evident from the outset. Despite an eight-year development period, it failed to attract a substantial player base, peaking at only 697 concurrent players. Currently, player numbers are significantly lower. While PlayStation 5 player counts are unknown, the numbers represent a dramatic drop from its beta peak of 2,388 players, falling far short of expectations for a Sony-published AAA title.
Several factors contributed to Concord's failure. Analyst Daniel Ahmad noted that while the gameplay was solid and the content complete, it lacked differentiation from existing hero shooters, offering little incentive for players to switch. He criticized the uninspired character designs and the game's feeling of being outdated, stuck in the style of Overwatch 1.
The $40 price point also placed it at a disadvantage compared to free-to-play competitors like Marvel Rivals, Apex Legends, and Valorant. Coupled with minimal marketing, its poor sales are unsurprising.
Ellis' statement suggests Firewalk Studios will explore alternative strategies to better reach players. A future revival isn't impossible. The successful relaunch of Gigantic, transitioning from a live-service to a buy-to-play model, demonstrates that cancelled games can find new life.
While some propose a free-to-play model, similar to Foamstars, this alone won't address the core issues: uninspired character designs and sluggish gameplay. A comprehensive overhaul, akin to the successful Final Fantasy XIV redesign, might be necessary for a true resurgence.
Game8 awarded Concord a 56/100, describing it as a visually appealing but ultimately lifeless game. For a detailed review, see the link below.
