Concord: A Lengthy Legacy despite a Brief Tenure

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 After Two Weeks

A 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 closure on September 3rd, 2024, via the PlayStation Blog, citing unmet expectations. The game, while possessing some positive aspects, failed to achieve its intended impact. Servers went offline on September 6th, 2024. Digital purchases on Steam, Epic Games Store, and PlayStation Store will receive automatic refunds; physical copies should be returned according to retailer policies.

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 Firewalk's studio head, Tony Hsu. Concord was even slated for inclusion in the Prime Video series, Secret Level. An ambitious post-launch roadmap, including a season launch in October and weekly cutscenes, was initially planned. However, the game's poor performance necessitated a drastic shift in plans, resulting in only three cutscenes being released.

The Factors Contributing to Concord's Demise

Concord's decline was evident from the outset. Despite an eight-year development period, player interest remained low, peaking at a mere 697 concurrent players. Current player counts are significantly lower. These figures exclude PlayStation 5 users, but even considering them, the performance pales 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 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. The $40 price point also placed it at a disadvantage against free-to-play competitors like Marvel Rivals, Apex Legends, and Valorant. Minimal marketing further exacerbated the situation.

Ellis stated that Firewalk will explore future options to better connect with players. A potential revival is possible, as demonstrated by the resurgence of Gigantic. While some suggest a free-to-play model, this alone wouldn't address the core issues of bland character designs and sluggish gameplay. A comprehensive overhaul, similar to the successful Final Fantasy XIV redesign, might be necessary.

Game8's 56/100 review described Concord as "visually appealing, yet lifeless," highlighting the unfortunate outcome of eight years of development. For a more detailed perspective, read our full review.