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 launch. The game's servers went offline on September 6th, 2024, a decision announced by Game Director Ryan Ellis due to the game's failure to meet expectations. Read on for a deeper dive into the reasons behind Concord's swift demise.

A Lackluster Launch

Ellis' statement acknowledged that while some aspects of Concord resonated with players, the overall launch fell significantly short of goals. Digital purchases on Steam, Epic Games Store, and PlayStation Store received automatic refunds, while physical copy owners were advised to contact their retailers for returns.

The initial hopes for Concord were high. Sony's acquisition of Firewalk Studios, driven by belief in the studio's potential, suggested a promising future. Plans included an October launch for the first season, weekly cutscenes, and even an episode in the Prime Video series, Secret Level. However, the game's poor performance forced a drastic change of plans, with only three cutscenes released before shutdown.

Why Did Concord Fail?

Concord's struggles began early. Despite an eight-year development period, it failed to attract a substantial player base, peaking at a mere 697 concurrent players. This starkly contrasts with its beta peak of 2,388 players. Analyst Daniel Ahmad points to several factors: a lack of innovation, uninspired character designs, and a high price point of $40, putting it at a disadvantage against free-to-play competitors like Apex Legends and Valorant. The absence of a significant marketing campaign further exacerbated the problem.

The game's low player count and underwhelming reception led to its premature end. While the gameplay mechanics were solid, the game failed to distinguish itself from existing hero shooters.

A Future for Concord?

Ellis' statement hinted at Firewalk Studios exploring future options to better connect with players. While a revival is possible, as evidenced by the Gigantic example, it would require significant changes. Simply making Concord free-to-play, as suggested by some, wouldn't address the fundamental issues of bland character design and less-than-stellar gameplay. A complete overhaul, similar to the successful restructuring of Final Fantasy XIV, might be necessary for a potential comeback.

Game8's review scored Concord a 56/100, highlighting the tragic contrast between its visual appeal and its ultimately lifeless gameplay. The game's short lifespan serves as a cautionary tale in game development, emphasizing the importance of innovation, marketing, and player engagement.