CONCORD $400,000,000
Epic Flop
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SONY/FIREWALK STUDIOS
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9/22/2024
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CONCORD refers to a first-person hero shooter game developed by Firewalk Studios and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment.
The game features a 5v5 team format where players choose from a roster of 16 unique characters known as Freegunners, each with distinct abilities and weapons.
Concord was met with a lot of pushback for various reasons. It was criticized for its character designs regarding the inclusion of characters that some players felt were designed to push an agenda related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), including pronouns, non-binary and obese characters. This design choice was perceived by detractors as pandering to certain social trends rather than focusing on character appeal within the game's context.
"Concord" was released on August 23, 2024, for PlayStation 5 and Windows. The game never really picked up player interest, with low concurrent player numbers on Steam, failing to exceed 1,000 players at its peak. Only a week after its launch, due to poor reception and low player engagement, Sony announced that "Concord" would be taken offline. All sales were halted, and players were offered refunds. The game officially went offline on September 6, 2024. This decision was made citing that the game's launch and several of its aspects did not meet player expectations.
The game features a 5v5 team format where players choose from a roster of 16 unique characters known as Freegunners, each with distinct abilities and weapons.
Concord was met with a lot of pushback for various reasons. It was criticized for its character designs regarding the inclusion of characters that some players felt were designed to push an agenda related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), including pronouns, non-binary and obese characters. This design choice was perceived by detractors as pandering to certain social trends rather than focusing on character appeal within the game's context.
"Concord" was released on August 23, 2024, for PlayStation 5 and Windows. The game never really picked up player interest, with low concurrent player numbers on Steam, failing to exceed 1,000 players at its peak. Only a week after its launch, due to poor reception and low player engagement, Sony announced that "Concord" would be taken offline. All sales were halted, and players were offered refunds. The game officially went offline on September 6, 2024. This decision was made citing that the game's launch and several of its aspects did not meet player expectations.
Firewalk studios its self seems to have had its own issues internally as explained by a That Park Place article
Links below
A $400,000,000 million dollar flop.
The cost of concord has been debated but a rumor was released by a "leaker"
The video is below.
The video is below.
I spoke extensively with someone who worked on Concord, and it's so much worse than you think.
— Colin Moriarty (@longislandviper) September 20, 2024
It was internally referred to as "The Future of PlayStation" with Star Wars-like potential, and a dev culture of "toxic positivity" halted any negative feedback.
Making it cost $400m. pic.twitter.com/F5O0oy4gaQ
Since the commercial failure of Concord and its subsequent delisting from digital platforms, Firewalk Studio has faced significant changes and uncertainty:
In summary, since Concord's failure, Firewalk Studio has entered a phase of significant transition marked by leadership changes, employee uncertainty, and industry speculation about its future within the Sony ecosystem. While some see potential for Firewalk to reinvent itself or support other projects under Sony, others are more pessimistic, anticipating possible closure or major downsizing due to the high costs and underperformance of Concord.
- Leadership Change: Ryan Ellis, who had been the Game Director for Concord, stepped down from his role. Although he remains with the company in a support capacity, this move symbolizes a significant shift in leadership, especially given his long-term involvement with the project.
- Uncertain Future: Following the game's failure, there has been considerable speculation and anxiety among Firewalk Studio's staff regarding their future. Posts on X (formerly Twitter) suggest that there might be mass layoffs, or even the possibility of the studio being dissolved. This speculation stems from Sony's decision to buy back all copies of Concord, which some interpret as an attempt to write off the loss, potentially leading to further actions against the studio itself.
- Sony's Acquisition and Investment: Sony had acquired Firewalk Studios in 2023, aiming to bolster its live-service game offerings. However, Concord's performance has put this investment under scrutiny, leading to questions about whether Sony might dissolve or restructure Firewalk due to the significant financial loss.
- Staff Concerns: There has been a palpable sense of fear and uncertainty among Firewalk employees, with some expressing their concerns on social platforms about job security. This sentiment underscores the impact of Concord's failure not just on the studio's financial health but also on its workforce.
- Potential for New Directions: While much of the discussion revolves around negative outcomes, there's also mention of staff being asked to pitch new ideas. This could indicate that Sony might be considering a pivot for Firewalk, perhaps using the studio's talent in new projects or integrating it into other development teams within PlayStation Studios.
- Community and Industry Reaction: The gaming community's reactions on platforms like X have ranged from schadenfreude over Firewalk's misfortune to genuine concern for the employees involved. Industry analysts and insiders have engaged in speculation about Sony's next steps, with views ranging from complete studio shutdown to a significant overhaul in strategy.
In summary, since Concord's failure, Firewalk Studio has entered a phase of significant transition marked by leadership changes, employee uncertainty, and industry speculation about its future within the Sony ecosystem. While some see potential for Firewalk to reinvent itself or support other projects under Sony, others are more pessimistic, anticipating possible closure or major downsizing due to the high costs and underperformance of Concord.