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

Firewalk Studios' Concord, a 5v5 hero shooter, met an abrupt end just two weeks after its release. The game's servers went offline on September 6th, 2024, a decision announced by Game Director Ryan Ellis due to its failure to meet expectations. Refunds were issued for digital purchases.

A Lackluster Launch

Despite Sony's acquisition of Firewalk Studios and initial optimism surrounding Concord—including plans for a Prime Video appearance and an ambitious post-launch roadmap—the game failed to gain traction. The lack of hype translated into dismal player numbers, peaking at a mere 697 concurrent players. This starkly contrasts with the beta's 2,388 peak.

The reasons for Concord's failure are multifaceted. Analyst Daniel Ahmad points to a lack of innovation, uninspired character designs, and a high price point ($40) compared to free-to-play competitors like Apex Legends and Valorant. The near absence of marketing further exacerbated the problem.

What Went Wrong?

Concord's struggles began early. Even after an eight-year development period, it failed to differentiate itself from established hero shooters. Its gameplay, while functional, lacked the spark to attract a significant player base. The game's uninspired visuals and high price tag, coupled with minimal marketing, proved a fatal combination.

A Possible Resurrection?

Firewalk Studios intends to explore future options, leaving the possibility of Concord's return open. The success story of Gigantic, a MOBA hero shooter that was revived after a period of dormancy, provides a glimmer of hope. However, simply making Concord free-to-play might not suffice; addressing the core issues of bland character design and uninspired gameplay is crucial for any potential revival. Game8's 56/100 review highlights the irony of eight years of development resulting in a visually appealing but ultimately lifeless game. A complete overhaul, similar to the successful transformation of Final Fantasy XIV, may be necessary to give Concord a second chance.