Firewalk Studios has announced the abrupt discontinuation of its live service game Concord, just two weeks after its launch. The game will be offline starting September 6, and all players who made a purchase will receive refunds. Although the studio has expressed intentions to “explore options” for the game in order to “better reach [its] players,” the outlook for Concord appears bleak.
Initially introduced with an eye-catching trailer during the 2023 PlayStation Showcase, Concord struggled to leave a lasting impression. Online users criticized the choice to present a predominantly cinematic story for a live service game that offered minimal narrative content. Some draw comparisons to Guardians of the Galaxy, while others have unfavorably likened it to Overwatch.
When the game entered beta in mid-2024, feedback was similarly muted. Players who engaged with it noted low participation rates and general lack of interest. Although there were supporters impressed by its theme and gameplay, it seems the game never found its core audience. Reports indicated that approximately 25,000 copies were sold at launch, a figure far below what is needed to cover development and operational costs.
While Firewalk Studios did not confirm this sales number, the decision to take the game offline suggests that performance fell short of expectations. It is unusual for a AAA game to be withdrawn so quickly after release.
According to Firewalk Studios, while certain aspects of Concord “resonated with players,” other parts of the game and its launch “didn’t land the way [the studio] intended.” The studio extended its gratitude to players who participated in the journey aboard the Northstar despite these challenges.
The reality of launching a new live service game in 2024 is complicated. The market is saturated with competitors, all requiring substantial time from players. Most also entail some financial commitment, whether at launch or through seasonal content updates.
Players have finite time and financial resources, and not every new game can achieve blockbuster status. Although Concord showed potential, it ultimately could not shift player perception or meet expectations regarding time and money investment.
As of now, the future of Concord is uncertain. Firewalk Studios has committed to keeping fans informed about development as they explore possible new directions. However, expectations should be tempered; significant efforts will be necessary to revitalize the game enough to attract a larger player base.