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 Weeks After Launch
A Lack of Buzz Leads to Closure
Firewalk Studios' 5v5 hero shooter, Concord, is ceasing operations a mere two weeks post-launch. 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 copy owners should contact their retailers for returns.
Initially, Firewalk and Sony envisioned a much larger future for Concord. Sony's acquisition of Firewalk, based on their perceived potential, appeared promising, especially considering positive comments from Ellis and Firewalk's studio head, Tony Hsu. Concord was even slated for an episode in the upcoming Prime Video series, Secret Level. An ambitious post-launch roadmap, including a Season 1 launch and weekly cutscenes, was also planned.
However, poor performance necessitated a drastic shift in plans. Only three cutscenes were released – two from the beta and one shortly before the shutdown announcement. The future of the planned narrative 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. Concurrent player counts struggled to reach 1,000, peaking at a mere 697. At the time of writing, only 45 players are online (excluding PlayStation 5 users). This starkly contrasts with its beta peak of 2,388 players, falling far short of expectations for a Sony-published AAA title.
Several factors contributed to Concord's failure. Analyst Daniel Ahmad highlighted strong gameplay mechanics but criticized the lack of differentiation from existing hero shooters, offering little incentive for players to switch. He noted uninspired character designs and a gameplay style reminiscent of older titles, failing to stand out in the current market.
The $40 price point also placed Concord at a disadvantage against popular free-to-play competitors like Marvel Rivals, Apex Legends, and Valorant. Coupled with minimal marketing, the lack of player acquisition is unsurprising.
Ellis' statement suggests Firewalk will explore alternative strategies to better engage players. A potential revival remains a possibility. The successful relaunch of Gigantic, transitioning from a live-service to a buy-to-play model, demonstrates that discontinued titles can be resurrected.
While a free-to-play model has been suggested, this alone wouldn't address the core issues of bland character designs and uninspired gameplay. A comprehensive overhaul, similar to the successful redesign of Final Fantasy XIV, is arguably necessary for a successful relaunch.
Game8 awarded Concord a 56/100, highlighting the contrast between its visual appeal and lackluster gameplay. For a detailed review, see the link below.
