Concord, Sony's Major Flop, Continues to Get Updates on Steam

Despite its swift removal from digital stores weeks after launch, Sony's ill-fated hero shooter, Concord, continues to receive updates on Steam, sparking considerable speculation among gamers. This article delves into these mysterious updates and explores the various theories surrounding them.

Concord's SteamDB Updates Fuel Speculation

Free-to-Play Resurgence? Gameplay Overhaul? Theories Abound

Remember Concord? The hero shooter that fizzled out faster than a damp squib? While officially offline since September 6th, its Steam page shows a steady stream of updates.

SteamDB data reveals over 20 updates since September 29th, attributed to accounts like "pmtest," "sonyqae," and "sonyqae_shipping." These account names suggest a focus on backend improvements and quality assurance ("QAE").

Concord's August launch aimed to disrupt the hero shooter market with a $40 price tag—a bold move against free-to-play giants like Overwatch, Valorant, and Apex Legends. The launch, however, was disastrous. Within two weeks, Sony pulled the game and issued refunds. Low player numbers and near-zero interest sealed its fate, earning it "dead on arrival" status and poor reviews across the board.

So why the continued updates for a game deemed a failure? Ryan Ellis, then-Game Director at Firewalk Studios, hinted at exploring options to better reach players in the shutdown announcement. This, coupled with the ongoing updates, has fueled speculation of a potential relaunch, possibly as a free-to-play title. This would address the criticism leveled at its initial paid model.

Sony's substantial investment—reportedly up to $400 million—suggests a desire to recoup losses. The updates might indicate Firewalk Studios is overhauling the game, adding new features and addressing criticisms about weak characters and uninspired gameplay.

Confirmation remains elusive. Sony's silence leaves the future of Concord uncertain. Will it return with improved mechanics, broader appeal, or a revised monetization strategy? Only Firewalk Studios and Sony hold the answers. Even a free-to-play transition would face a challenging uphill battle in a saturated market.

For now, Concord remains unavailable, and Sony offers no official statements. Time alone will reveal if these speculations hold merit, or if Concord remains a cautionary tale of a failed launch.