Firewalk Studios' Concord: A Short-Lived Hero Shooter
Concord, Firewalk Studios' 5v5 hero shooter, met an abrupt end just two weeks after its release. The game's failure to meet expectations led to the shutdown of its servers on September 6th, 2024, as announced by Game Director Ryan Ellis. While some aspects resonated with players, the overall reception fell short of the studio's goals. Digital purchases on Steam, Epic Games Store, and PlayStation Store received automatic refunds; physical copies require retailer returns.
The game's demise is surprising given Sony's acquisition of Firewalk Studios, based on high hopes for the studio's potential. Ambitious plans, including a first season launch and weekly cutscenes, were ultimately cut short due to poor performance. Only three cutscenes were released before shutdown.
Concord's struggles began early. Despite an eight-year development cycle, player interest remained low, peaking at only 697 concurrent players. Analyst Daniel Ahmad points to several contributing factors: a lack of innovation and uninspired character designs, failing to differentiate itself from established competitors. The $40 price tag also proved a significant hurdle against free-to-play alternatives. Minimal marketing further exacerbated the situation.
While a future return is possible (as demonstrated by Gigantic's revival), simply making Concord free-to-play wouldn't solve its core problems: uninspired visuals and sluggish gameplay. A complete overhaul, similar to Final Fantasy XIV's successful relaunch, might be necessary. Game8's 56/100 review highlighted the game's visually appealing yet lifeless nature. The future of Concord remains uncertain, but its swift failure serves as a cautionary tale in game development.
