Despite its swift demise weeks after launch, Concord, Sony's ill-fated hero shooter, continues to receive updates on Steam, sparking considerable speculation among gamers. This article explores these mysterious updates and the potential scenarios they suggest.
Concord's SteamDB Updates Fuel Speculation: Free-to-Play Resurgence?
Remember Concord? The hero shooter that flopped spectacularly? While officially offline since September 6th, its Steam page shows a flurry of activity. SteamDB logs over 20 updates since September 29th, attributed to accounts like "pmtest," "sonyqae," and "sonyqae_shipping," hinting at potential backend improvements and quality assurance efforts.
Concord's initial August launch was a significant misstep. Priced at $40, it faced stiff competition from free-to-play giants like Overwatch, Valorant, and Apex Legends. The game's poor reception led to its rapid removal from stores and refunds for players. Its failure was widely considered immediate and decisive.
The ongoing updates, however, are puzzling. Former Firewalk Studios Game Director, Ryan Ellis, hinted at exploring alternative strategies, including improved player reach, in the game's shutdown announcement. This fuels speculation of a potential comeback, possibly as a free-to-play title. This would address a major criticism: the game's initial price point.
Sony's substantial investment—reportedly up to $400 million—suggests a strong incentive to salvage the project. The updates might indicate Firewalk Studios is overhauling the game, adding features, and addressing criticisms regarding character design and gameplay mechanics.
While Sony remains silent, the possibilities are intriguing: improved mechanics, broader appeal, or a revised monetization strategy. However, even a free-to-play relaunch would face an uphill battle in a saturated market.
Currently, Concord remains unavailable. Sony's silence shrouds its future in uncertainty. Only time will reveal if Concord can rise from its ashes, and if these speculations hold any truth.
