Sony pulls Concord from PlayStation after 2 weeks, offers refunds amid disappointing performance

In a rare move, Sony has decided to pull its newly launched live-service game “Concord” from PlayStation just two weeks after its August 23, 2024, debut.

Developed by Firewalk Studios, Concord has faced significant challenges, including low player engagement and disappointing sales figures, leading Sony to delist the game from both PlayStation and PC digital storefronts.

This swift action highlights the difficulties inherent in the saturated market of live-service multiplayer games.

Concord struggles in a crowded market

Despite its $40 price tag and high production budget, Concord struggled to make a mark in the competitive world of free-to-play multiplayer shooters.

The game’s mechanics and features were criticized for being derivative and lacking the innovation needed to stand out.

Sony’s decision to forego a battle pass—a common revenue model for live-service games—and offer free content did not yield the expected results.

Within two weeks, Concord peaked at only 697 concurrent players on PC, according to third-party data from SteamDB.

This low engagement underscores the game’s inability to attract and retain players compared to its competitors.

How Concord compares to other recent game flops

Concord’s performance is notable among recent industry disappointments.

For instance, NetEase’s “Marvel Rivals,” still in beta, attracted over 50,000 players, significantly surpassing Concord’s numbers.

Even “Suicide Squad,” a highly anticipated 2024 release, managed to secure 13,000 players on its launch day.

With initial estimates placing Concord’s sales at around 25,000 copies on PlayStation—a dismal figure for a game reportedly in development for eight years—it is evident that the game has struggled to gain traction.

Unlike “Cyberpunk 2077,” which was removed from the PlayStation Store in 2020 due to technical issues, Concord’s removal stems from a lack of player interest.

Who will get the refund?

In response to the game’s poor reception, PlayStation is offering full refunds to all Concord purchasers, whether digital or physical.

Buyers from the PlayStation Store and PlayStation Direct will receive refunds to their original payment methods.

Customers who bought through Steam, the Epic Games Store, or physical retailers will also be refunded.

Once refunded, access to the game will be revoked.

While this measure aims to address customer dissatisfaction, it also signifies the end of what was intended to be a long-term, evolving game.

Potential for a relaunch

Despite its poor showing, Concord may not be gone for good.

Firewalk Studios and PlayStation have hinted at the possibility of reviving the game, potentially transitioning it to a free-to-play model to better align with market trends.

Given the game’s lukewarm reception and the oversaturated live-service shooter genre, any potential relaunch would face significant challenges.

The upcoming animated anthology series “Secret Level” from Blur Studios will feature an episode dedicated to Concord, suggesting that Sony is not entirely abandoning the game’s universe.

A setback for Firewalk Studios

Sony’s decision to pull Concord so soon after launch serves as a cautionary tale for developers and publishers in the live-service game sector.

The failure emphasizes the need for innovation, unique selling points, and a deep understanding of market expectations.

As players gravitate towards established franchises or innovative newcomers, simply delivering a game with decent mechanics and high production values is no longer enough.

Sony must learn from this experience to avoid future missteps in an increasingly competitive industry.

For Firewalk Studios, the removal of Concord represents a significant setback.

The developer will need to reassess its strategies and project direction in light of this failure.

Despite expressing interest in exploring new ways to engage players, the road ahead will be challenging.

Concord’s brief lifespan highlights the harsh reality of the live-service gaming industry: even with backing from a major player like Sony, success is not guaranteed.

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