Sony’s Latest Hero Shooter, Concord, Pulled Just Two Weeks After Launch
In a surprising turn of events, Sony has decided to withdraw Concord, its highly anticipated hero shooter, merely two weeks after its official release. The gaming community has reacted with a mix of disappointment and sympathy as the studio begins issuing refunds to all players who purchased the game, marking a swift end to high expectations.
Notable figures in the gaming industry have weighed in on Concord’s abrupt cancellation. Cliff Bleszinski, the creator of Gears of War, expressed his empathy, recalling the challenges faced by his own first-person shooter, LawBreakers, which also struggled upon release in 2018. Art director Michael Maurino shared his solidarity with the development team responsible for Concord, emphasizing the industry’s unpredictable nature.
Players and gaming enthusiasts on social media have voiced their opinions about the implications of Concord’s failure on the future of live-service games and original intellectual properties. Many are concerned that this could lead to a greater focus on sequels and remakes, as reflected in one fan’s commentary on the current trends in the PS5 era.
Amidst the discourse, criticisms have emerged aimed at those who blamed the game’s diverse character lineup for its poor reception. Industry commentators argue that the failure of a live-service game in an oversaturated market should not be attributed to diversity factors, but rather to a lack of distinctive features and player engagement.
Some industry analysts speculate that Concord could potentially be reintroduced as a free-to-play title in the future, suggesting that Sony may look to revitalize the game through a fresh approach. Additionally, Concord will make an appearance in the upcoming Prime Video series, Secret Level, scheduled for December, despite the game itself being offline by that time.
The shutdown of Concord is officially set for September 6, leaving many dedicated players racing to attain in-game accomplishments and unlock trophies before the game’s final demise. The move has opened a broader conversation about the challenges facing new game launches in an evolving market, raising concerns about what this means for future projects.
