Concord, the recently launched hero shooter by Firewalk Studios, is set to shut down just two weeks following its release on September 6, 2024. Facing disastrous player numbers and sales, the game saw a peak of only 697 concurrent players on Steam, leading to a critical decision by Sony to take the game offline. Despite some players expressing gratitude for the experience, the game’s early demise has sparked discussions about its potential future as a free-to-play title. Concord was anticipated to be part of Sony's live service strategy but now raises concerns about the future of live service games within the company.

Will Concord return as a free-to-play game?

While some players hope for a revival in a free-to-play format, Sony has not made any commitments regarding this possibility, leading to uncertainty about the game's future.

Concord was part of Sony's ambitious plan to expand its live service portfolio and cater to growing online multiplayer demand. Developed by Firewalk Studios, which Sony acquired in 2023, the game was intended to deliver a unique take on the hero shooter genre. However, the unfortunate turnout has sparked reflections on the challenges of launching successful live service games in a competitive industry.