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

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.

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 copies require retailer returns.

Firewalk and Sony's ambitions for Concord were evident from the outset. Sony's acquisition of Firewalk, based on their perceived potential, appeared promising, especially considering positive feedback from Ellis and 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 1 launch and weekly cutscenes, was initially planned.

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

Concord's Downfall: A Multifaceted Issue

Concord's decline was evident from the start. Despite an eight-year development, player interest remained minimal, peaking at only 697 concurrent players. Current player counts are significantly lower. These figures, while not encompassing PlayStation 5 users, pale in comparison to the beta's 2,388 peak, falling far short of expectations for a Sony-published AAA title.

Several factors contributed to Concord's failure. Analyst Daniel Ahmad highlighted strong gameplay but a lack of differentiation from existing hero shooters, offering insufficient incentive for players to switch. He criticized the uninspired character designs, stating the game felt outdated.

The $40 price point also proved detrimental, placing it at a disadvantage against 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 future options to better engage players, leaving the possibility of a return open. The revival of Gigantic demonstrates that game relaunches are possible.

While a free-to-play model has been suggested, this alone wouldn't address core issues like bland character designs and sluggish gameplay. A more substantial overhaul, similar to Final Fantasy XIV's successful redesign, might be necessary for a successful relaunch.

Game8's 56/100 review described Concord as "visually appealing, yet lifeless," highlighting the tragic outcome of eight years of development. For a detailed review, please see the link below.