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

Firewalk Studios' Concord, a 5v5 hero shooter, met an abrupt end just two weeks after its launch. The game's servers went offline on September 6th, 2024, a decision announced by Game Director Ryan Ellis due to its failure to meet player expectations. Full refunds were issued for digital purchases.

A Lackluster Launch

Despite Sony's investment in Firewalk Studios and initial optimism surrounding Concord—including plans for a Prime Video appearance and an ambitious post-launch roadmap—the game failed to gain traction. Low player numbers, peaking at only 697 concurrent players, highlighted the game's struggles.

The ambitious post-launch plans, including weekly cutscenes and a season one launch, were significantly curtailed due to the poor performance. Only three cutscenes were released before the shutdown announcement.

Reasons for Failure

Analyst Daniel Ahmad points to several factors contributing to Concord's demise. While praising the gameplay mechanics, he criticized the lack of originality, uninspired character designs, and its placement in the "OW1 era," failing to stand out from established competitors. The $40 price point also placed it at a disadvantage against free-to-play rivals like Marvel Rivals, Apex Legends, and Valorant, compounded by a near-absence of marketing.

The game's poor performance, even compared to its beta numbers (2,388 concurrent players), was a significant blow to expectations for a Sony-published AAA title.

A Possible Resurrection?

Ellis hinted at exploring future options to better reach players, leaving the door open for a potential return. The success story of Gigantic, a MOBA hero shooter that transitioned to a buy-to-play model after a shutdown, offers a glimmer of hope.

However, simply making Concord free-to-play might not solve the underlying issues of bland character designs and sluggish gameplay. A more significant overhaul, similar to the successful revamp of Final Fantasy XIV, is likely needed for any future success. Game8's 56/100 review summarized the situation perfectly: a visually appealing but ultimately lifeless game. Read our full review for more details.