Concord's $200 Million Deal Cost Sony Way More - Report

Sony's ambitious live service game, Concord, faced a rapid demise after only two weeks of its launch, requiring significantly higher investment than the initial $200 million development deal. Reports indicate that this amount did not cover the complete development costs nor the acquisition of the Concord IP rights. Firewalk Studios struggled to establish itself during a pandemic and managed to create a customized next-gen FPS engine. Despite these efforts, Concord garnered only modest sales and reviews before being shut down shortly after its release. The failure highlights the challenges of launching expensive live service titles in a saturated market dominated by established franchises like Fortnite and Call of Duty.

The failure of Concord can be attributed to several factors, including high development costs, low initial sales, and a lack of interest from players, which led to its closure just days after launch. Additionally, the competitive landscape of live service games was difficult to penetrate for a new title in this genre.

Concord was positioned as a first-person shooter designed to appeal to a broad audience and initially attracted a considerable investment. Firewalk Studios, under ProbablyMonsters, aimed to create a standout experience but encountered numerous obstacles, ultimately leading to its short-lived existence in the gaming landscape. This development showcases the risks associated with the live service model, especially in the current competitive environment.