Concord's launch was underwhelming, resulting in a rapid server shutdown. This article delves into the reasons behind the game's premature demise.
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 a mere two weeks after its release. Game Director Ryan Ellis announced the closure on September 3rd, 2024, via the PlayStation Blog, citing unmet expectations.
Ellis stated that while some 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 copies require retailer returns.
Firewalk and Sony's ambitions for Concord were evident. Sony's acquisition of Firewalk, fueled by belief in the studio's potential, appeared promising, especially considering positive feedback from Ellis and Firewalk's studio head, Tony Hsu. Concord was even slated for inclusion in the Prime Video anthology series, Secret Level. An ambitious post-launch roadmap, including a Season 1 launch in October and weekly cutscenes, was also planned.
However, poor performance necessitated a drastic revision of plans. Only three cutscenes were released – two from the beta and one shortly before the shutdown announcement. The future of the planned storyline remains uncertain.
Concord's Downfall: A Multifaceted Issue
Concord's decline was evident from the outset. Despite an eight-year development period, player interest remained minimal, peaking at only 697 concurrent players. Currently, player counts are significantly lower. While PlayStation 5 player numbers are unknown, the contrast with the beta's 2,388 peak highlights the game's underperformance for a Sony-published AAA title.
Several factors contributed to Concord's failure. Analyst Daniel Ahmad pointed out that while gameplay mechanics were strong and content was complete, the game lacked differentiation from existing hero shooters, offering little incentive for players to switch. He cited uninspired character designs and a lack of innovation, describing it as feeling outdated.
The $40 price point also proved disadvantageous against free-to-play competitors like Marvel Rivals, Apex Legends, and Valorant. Combined with minimal marketing, the lack of sales is unsurprising.
Ellis' statement suggests Firewalk will explore alternative strategies to better reach players. A potential revival remains possible. The successful relaunch of Gigantic demonstrates that discontinued games can find new life. Gigantic's transition from a live-service to a buy-to-play model six years after its closure offers a precedent.
While a free-to-play model has been suggested, addressing the core issues of bland character designs and sluggish gameplay is crucial. A complete overhaul, similar to Final Fantasy XIV's successful redesign, might be necessary for a successful resurgence.
Game8's 56/100 review described Concord as "visually appealing, yet lifeless," highlighting the tragic outcome of eight years of development. For a detailed review, see the link below.
