Sony’s recent multiplayer shooter, Concord, is being taken offline less than two weeks after its official launch. Despite years of development, the game struggled to gain traction, with player engagement and sales falling significantly short of expectations. According to reports, the peak player count on Steam barely reached 700, and the game’s reception on other platforms was similarly underwhelming.
The decision to take Concord offline comes as Sony and the game’s developer, Firewalk Studios, admit that the game did not “land the way we’d intended.” This led to a drastic decision: to halt all sales and issue refunds to everyone who purchased the game on PlayStation 5 and PC. The move is particularly striking given the eight years of development behind the game and the substantial marketing push that accompanied its release.
Many industry observers believe that Concord struggled because it entered a market already saturated with hero shooters, many of which are free-to-play. Charging $40 for a game that didn’t stand out in a crowded field likely deterred potential players. As Sony and Firewalk Studios “explore options” to better reach their audience, speculation has arisen that the game might return in a different form, possibly as a free-to-play title, though nothing is confirmed at this point.
This development is a significant setback for Sony, especially given their broader ambitions in the live-service gaming market. Concord’s rapid failure highlights the risks of entering an oversaturated genre without offering something truly unique. As Sony evaluates its next steps, players who bought the game can expect refunds, and the future of Concord remains uncertain.