PlayStation will take its newly developed live service game “Concord” offline this Friday and issue refunds to players just two weeks after its release on August 23.
The team-based first-person shooter created by Firewalk Studios has reportedly seen a remarkably low player count since its launch on PlayStation 5 and PC. Data from the third-party gaming site SteamDB indicated that there were only 30 current players logged in on Tuesday, with a peak of 697 concurrent players during its brief availability—an unusually low figure for a new release from PlayStation, placing it low on sales charts.
In “Concord,” players form teams of five to battle as Freegunner space outlaws from the spacecraft Northstar, drawing comparisons to the popular multiplayer shooter “Overwatch.” However, the low player base hampered matchmaking, making it difficult for players to find games.
In a blog post on Tuesday, Firewalk Studios game director Ryan Ellis acknowledged player feedback since the game’s launch. “We’ve been listening closely to your feedback and want to thank everyone who has joined the journey aboard the Northstar,” he stated. Ellis recognized that while some elements resonated with the community, others did not meet expectations. Consequently, the decision was made to take “Concord” offline effective September 6, 2024, while exploring options to improve the game and reach players more effectively. In the meantime, sales of “Concord” will end immediately, and full refunds will be offered to all players who purchased the game on either PS5 or PC.
According to PlayStation, refunds will be processed to the original payment method for those who bought “Concord” via the PlayStation Store or PlayStation Direct. Players who acquired the game on Steam, Epic Games Store, or purchased physical copies will receive refunds through those platforms. Once players are refunded, they will lose access to the game.