Concord Was Short-Lived, But Not The Shortest-Lived

Firewalk Studios' Concord: A Swift Rise and Fall

Concord, Firewalk Studios' 5v5 hero shooter, met an abrupt end just two weeks after its launch. The game's failure to meet expectations led to the shutdown of its servers on September 6th, 2024, as announced by Game Director Ryan Ellis on the PlayStation Blog. While some aspects resonated with players, the overall reception fell short of the studio's goals. Digital purchases on Steam, Epic Games Store, and PlayStation Store will receive automatic refunds; physical copies should be returned according to retailer policies.

High Hopes, Dismal Results

The closure marks a disappointing turn for Firewalk Studios and Sony, who had high hopes for Concord. Sony's acquisition of Firewalk, based on their perceived potential, seemed promising, especially with positive early feedback. Ambitious post-launch plans, including a season launch and weekly cutscenes, were ultimately cut short due to the game's poor performance. Only three cutscenes were released before the shutdown.

Factors Contributing to Concord's Failure

Concord's struggles began early. Despite an eight-year development, player interest remained low, peaking at only 697 concurrent players. Analyst Daniel Ahmad points to several factors: a lack of innovation compared to existing hero shooters, uninspired character designs, and a high price point of $40 in a competitive free-to-play market. Minimal marketing further hampered its success.

A Future for Concord?

While the immediate future looks bleak, Ellis suggests Firewalk will explore options for future engagement. The possibility of a revival remains, as evidenced by the successful relaunch of Gigantic. However, simply making Concord free-to-play might not solve its underlying problems – bland character designs and uninspired gameplay need addressing. A significant overhaul, similar to the successful redesign of Final Fantasy XIV, might be necessary for a true comeback. Game8's review awarded Concord a 56/100, highlighting its visual appeal juxtaposed with lifeless gameplay. A full review is available for further insight.