Concord's launch was underwhelming, resulting in a rapid server shutdown. This article explores the reasons behind the game's premature demise.
Firewalk Studios' Hero Shooter, Concord, Grounds to a Halt Two Weeks Post-Launch
Lack of Hype Leads to Closure
Firewalk Studios' 5v5 hero shooter, Concord, is ceasing operations just two weeks after its release. Game Director Ryan Ellis announced the closure on September 3rd, 2024, via the PlayStation Blog, citing unmet expectations. The game, while possessing some appealing qualities, failed to resonate with players as intended. 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 clearly envisioned greater success for Concord. Sony's acquisition of Firewalk, based on their perceived potential, appeared promising, especially given positive statements from Ellis and Firewalk's studio head, Tony Hsu. Concord was even slated for inclusion in the Prime Video anthology series, Secret Level. An ambitious post-launch roadmap, including a Season 1 launch in October and weekly cutscenes, was initially planned. However, poor performance forced a drastic revision of these plans. Only three cutscenes were released—two from the beta and one shortly before the closure announcement.
Concord's Downfall: A Multifaceted Issue
Concord's decline was evident from the outset. Despite an eight-year development period, player interest remained minimal, peaking at only 697 concurrent players. Current player counts are drastically lower. These numbers, while not inclusive of PlayStation 5 users, pale in comparison to the beta's 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 pointed out that while the gameplay was solid and the content complete, the game lacked differentiation from existing hero shooters, offering little incentive for players to switch. Uninspired character designs and a perceived stagnation in the Overwatch 1 era further hampered its appeal. The $40 price point also placed it at a disadvantage against free-to-play competitors like Marvel Rivals, Apex Legends, and Valorant. Minimal marketing compounded these issues.
Ellis stated that Firewalk will explore future options to better reach players, leaving the possibility of a return open. The revival of Gigantic, transitioning from a live-service to a buy-to-play model after a server shutdown, demonstrates that game revivals are possible. While a free-to-play model has been suggested, addressing the core issues of bland character design and sluggish gameplay is crucial. A complete overhaul, similar to the successful Final Fantasy XIV redesign, might be necessary.
Game8's review scored Concord a 56/100, highlighting the contrast between its visual appeal and lackluster gameplay. A full review is available for further insight.
