After eight years of development, Concord has met its end in less than a month since its launch. Sony announced that the game, which debuted on August 23, will be discontinued on September 6. Ryan Ellis, game director at Firewalk Studios, expressed disappointment, stating that the game “didn’t land the way we’d intended.” This decision, although swift, is not surprising given the challenges faced by many titles attempting to capitalize on the live-service model.
Concord joins the ranks of other high-profile failures in the gaming industry, such as EA’s Anthem and Xbox’s Redfall. These games, which originated from respected single-player studios like BioWare and Arkane Austin, shifted focus to multiplayer formats but ultimately struggled to find an audience. While both games lasted longer than Concord, they still fell short in terms of engaging players long-term.
The shortcomings of Concord are notable. As a hero shooter in a saturated market dominated by successful titles like Overwatch and Apex Legends, it faced a steep uphill battle. Its availability was limited to PlayStation 5 and PC users, and it launched as a paid title in an environment where free-to-play models are prevalent. The game lacked distinct characters and innovative map design, rendering it average in a competitive space where uniqueness is crucial. In the realm of live-service games, capturing players’ attention away from entrenched favorites like Fortnite requires a compelling draw.
The rapid collapse of Concord underscores the notion that no game is immune to failure, regardless of its development pedigree. Upcoming high-profile releases, including Bungie’s Marathon, NetEase’s Marvel Rivals, and Valve’s Deadlock, face uncertain prospects. While they may not shut down as abruptly as Concord, there is a genuine possibility that they too may struggle to maintain player interest over time.