Concord Was Short-Lived, But Not The Shortest-Lived

Firewalk Studios' Concord: A Short-Lived Hero Shooter

Firewalk Studios' 5v5 hero shooter, Concord, met an abrupt end just two weeks after its launch. The game's servers went offline on September 6th, 2024, a decision announced by Game Director Ryan Ellis due to the title's failure to meet expectations. Despite positive aspects appreciated by some players, the overall reception and performance fell short of the studio's goals. Digital purchases on Steam, Epic Games Store, and the PlayStation Store received automatic refunds; physical copies require retailer returns.

The closure is a setback considering Sony's acquisition of Firewalk Studios, based on their perceived potential. Ambitious post-launch plans, including a first season and weekly cutscenes, were ultimately cut short due to poor player engagement. Only three cutscenes were released before shutdown.

Concord's struggles began early. Despite an eight-year development, player interest remained low, peaking at only 697 concurrent players. This pales in comparison to its beta peak of 2,388 players. Analysts point to several factors contributing to its failure: a lack of innovation and uninspired character designs, placing it behind competitors in the hero shooter genre. The $40 price tag also proved disadvantageous against free-to-play rivals, coupled with minimal marketing.

While Firewalk Studios is exploring future options, the possibility of Concord's return remains uncertain. While some suggest a free-to-play model, deeper issues—uninspired character designs and sluggish gameplay—require more substantial changes for a successful relaunch. A complete overhaul, similar to the successful revival of Final Fantasy XIV, might be necessary. Game8's review gave Concord a 56/100, highlighting its visually appealing yet ultimately lifeless nature.