Firewalk Studios' Concord: A Short-Lived Hero Shooter
Firewalk Studios' 5v5 hero shooter, Concord, met a swift and unexpected end, its servers shutting down a mere two weeks after launch. Game Director Ryan Ellis announced the closure on September 3rd, 2024, citing a failure to meet expectations despite some positive player feedback. Full digital refunds were issued across Steam, Epic Games Store, and PlayStation Store, with physical copies requiring retailer returns.
The game's demise is particularly striking given Sony's acquisition of Firewalk Studios and the high hopes surrounding its potential. Ambitious post-launch plans, including a season launch and weekly cutscenes, were ultimately scrapped due to poor performance. Only three cutscenes were released before the shutdown.
The Reasons Behind Concord's Failure
Concord's struggles began early. Despite an eight-year development, it failed to attract a substantial player base, peaking at a mere 697 concurrent players. Analyst Daniel Ahmad points to a lack of innovation, uninspired character designs, and a high price point ($40) as major contributing factors. The game's inability to differentiate itself from established free-to-play competitors like Apex Legends and Valorant, coupled with minimal marketing, proved fatal.
The Future of Concord
While Ellis hinted at future exploration of options to better reach players, a complete overhaul might be necessary. Simply making it free-to-play wouldn't address the core issues of bland character designs and uninspired gameplay. The game received a 56/100 score from Game8, highlighting its visual appeal but criticizing its lifelessness. Whether Concord can be revived remains to be seen, but its short lifespan serves as a cautionary tale in the competitive hero shooter market.
Latest Downloads
Downlaod
Top News
