Discover the reason for Sony’s decision to terminate Concord, a hero shooter developed by Firewalk Studios, just two weeks after its release.” Explore the narrative that led to the studio’s closure and the obstacles encountered in the process of reviving a costly project with a low participant base.
One of the most costly and rapid video game closures in recent memory has been officially announced by Sony: the closure of Firewalk Studios, the developer of the ill-fated hero shooter Concord. Firewalk Studios initially harboured lofty expectations for Concord, dedicating years of development and substantial resources to the development of a competitive multiplayer experience. Nevertheless, the game was abruptly terminated two weeks after its release as a result of a shockingly low player base and pervasive disinterest—a situation that ultimately prompted Sony to close the studio.
The Launch That Never Happened
Sony had already made substantial investments in Concord, anticipating its status as a flagship title at the time of its release. The game was initially priced at $40, which may have been a factor in the reluctance of players to attempt it, particularly in an era in which free-to-play games dominate the competitive shooter market. A free beta was released by Firewalk Studios shortly prior to the launch in order to generate interest. Regrettably, the number of players who registered was as low as 2,000, which is alarmingly low for a game that was intended to be a pillar of Sony’s multiplayer line up.
Concord’s fatal blow occurred when its peak player count of less than 700 players was achieved at launch. To provide context, even games that failed to meet expectations, such as Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, attracted over 13,000 participants at launch. The numbers did not merely disappoint; they emphasized a problem that was unresolvable through conventional methods, such as price adjustments or free-to-play models.
An Expensive Bet That Failed
In an internal memo to employees, Hermen Hulst, Sony’s Head of PlayStation Studios, acknowledged the obstacles the game encountered. Sony was compelled to make the challenging decision to refund the game’s estimated 25,000 pre-orders due to the low player count. The financial strain and absence of interest in the game ultimately prompted Sony to terminate the entire project and close Firewalk Studios. However, the distribution of layoffs or potential relocation of employees within Sony remains uncertain.
The Reasons for Concord’s Failure to Resurrect
Concord’s circumstances may have initially appeared amenable to improvement through the implementation of a free-to-play model, as evidenced by the success of other games that encountered difficulties. Nevertheless, Concord lacked the interest or pre-existing fan base to make a comeback feasible, in contrast to Cyberpunk 2077, which surmounted its rocky beginnings with a robust player foundation and a well-established universe. It is improbable that Concord would have attracted a sustainable player base, even if it had been released as free-to-play, according to industry analysts, as it was unable to distinguish itself from established shooters in any substantial manner.
Sony’s Obstacle in the Competitive Shooter Market
The hero shooter genre’s highly competitive and challenging nature is exemplified by Sony’s decision to close Firewalk Studios. This decision underscores the challenges that large corporations encounter when attempting to replicate the success of established titans in the gaming industry. The genre has been defined by games such as Fortnite, Overwatch, and Apex Legends, which have established high expectations for both player engagement and gameplay quality. Consequently, it is difficult for newer titles to establish a foothold.
Sony’s strategy in the multiplayer gaming market is called into doubt by the unfortunate demise of Concord and Firewalk Studios. Although Sony has achieved monumental success with its single-player titles, competing in the multiplayer arena remains a complex conundrum. Sony is expected to reevaluate its strategy in light of Firewalk’s closure, potentially prioritizing titles with a more robust player community or investigating novel models to attract and retain players.
The narrative of Concord and Firewalk Studios serves as a stark reminder of the gaming industry’s unpredictability, where even substantial investment and time cannot always ensure success.
