Concord Was Short-Lived, But Not The Shortest-Lived

Concord's launch was underwhelming, resulting in a rapid server shutdown. This article delves into the reasons behind the game's premature closure.

Firewalk Studios' Hero Shooter, Concord, Grounds After Two Weeks

Lack of Hype Leads to Closure

Firewalk Studios' 5v5 hero shooter, Concord, is ceasing operations just two weeks post-launch. Game Director Ryan Ellis announced the shutdown on September 3rd, 2024, via the PlayStation Blog, citing unmet expectations. The statement acknowledged positive player feedback in some areas but admitted shortcomings in others. Servers went 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, based on their perceived potential, seemed promising, especially with positive comments from Ellis and studio head Tony Hsu. Concord was even slated for a segment in the Prime Video series, Secret Level. An ambitious post-launch roadmap, including a season one launch in October and weekly cutscenes, was initially planned.

However, poor performance necessitated a drastic revision of plans. Only three cutscenes were released – two from the beta and one shortly before the announcement – leaving the future of the planned storyline uncertain.

Concord's Demise: A Multifaceted Failure

Concord's decline was evident from the start. Despite an eight-year development, player interest remained low, peaking at only 697 concurrent players. Current player counts are significantly lower. These numbers exclude PlayStation 5 users, but even considering them, the performance pales in comparison to the beta's 2,388 concurrent 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 He cited uninspired character designs and a feeling of being outdated, stuck in the Overwatch 1 era.

The $40 price point also placed Concord at a disadvantage against free-to-play competitors like Marvel Rivals, Apex Legends, and Valorant. Minimal marketing further exacerbated the situation.

Ellis' statement suggests Firewalk will explore alternative approaches to reach players, leaving the possibility of a future return open. The revival of Gigantic, transitioning from live-service to buy-to-play after a six-year hiatus, demonstrates the potential for a comeback.

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 the successful Final Fantasy XIV redesign, may be necessary for revitalization.

Game8's 56/100 review described Concord as "visually appealing, yet lifeless," highlighting the tragic outcome of eight years of development. A full review is available.