Concord’s Short-lived Journey
Sony’s latest exclusive title, Concord, launched on August 23, 2023, but just 11 days later, the publisher announced the decision to shut down the multiplayer shooter. Sales were halted on September 3, and the game’s servers will go offline on September 6. This rapid closure comes as developer Firewalk Studios and Sony explore future opportunities for the game’s development. Notably, Sony will be issuing refunds to all players.
Concord struggled with low player engagement, reportedly selling only around 25,000 copies across all platforms by the end of August. The swift decision to cease sales, deactivate servers, and refund players took many by surprise, raising questions about its impact on Sony’s reputation.
This case might not be unique, as there have been several other major titles that launched and shut down in quick succession. The timeline of just 14 days from release to shutdown could mark one of the fastest closures seen from a major studio, although there remains the possibility for Concord to make a comeback in the future.
Developers are currently assessing their options, suggesting a potential return for Concord, possibly as a free-to-play game. However, industry experts express skepticism about its future success given the saturated arena shooter market. Despite the challenges, history shows that poorly launched games can later achieve success, leaving the door open for Concord’s potential revival.
Stay tuned for updates as the situation develops and ECNETNews continues to monitor the latest gaming news.
