Firewalk Studios' Concord: A Short-Lived Hero Shooter
Concord, Firewalk Studios' 5v5 hero shooter, met an abrupt end just two weeks after its launch. 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. Despite some positive player feedback on certain aspects, the overall reception and launch fell short of goals. Digital purchases received automatic refunds, while physical copy owners were advised to contact their retailers for returns.
High hopes surrounded Concord's development. Sony's acquisition of Firewalk Studios, based on their perceived 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, poor performance forced a drastic revision of these plans, with only three cutscenes ultimately released.
Several factors contributed to Concord's demise. Despite an eight-year development cycle, the game failed to attract a substantial player base, peaking at only 697 concurrent players. Analyst Daniel Ahmad pointed to a lack of innovation and uninspired character designs as key shortcomings, noting that the game didn't stand out in a crowded hero shooter market. The $40 price tag also put it at a disadvantage compared to free-to-play competitors, compounded by minimal marketing.
While Firewalk Studios plans to explore future options, the possibility of a Concord revival remains. The success story of Gigantic, a MOBA hero shooter that transitioned from a live-service failure to a buy-to-play success, offers a glimmer of hope. However, simply making Concord free-to-play might not solve its fundamental problems of uninspired character design and sluggish gameplay. A more extensive overhaul, some argue, is necessary for any potential resurrection. Game8's review scored Concord a 56/100, highlighting its visually appealing yet lifeless gameplay.
