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

Firewalk Studios' Concord: A Short-Lived Hero Shooter

Firewalk Studios' 5v5 hero shooter, Concord, met a swift and unexpected end, shutting down its servers a mere two weeks after launch. Game Director Ryan Ellis announced the closure on September 3rd, 2024, attributing the decision to the game's failure to meet expectations. Despite some positive player feedback on certain aspects, the overall launch fell short of the studio's goals. Full refunds were issued for digital purchases on Steam, Epic Games Store, and PlayStation Store.

The game's demise is a surprising turn of events, considering Sony's acquisition of Firewalk Studios based on their perceived potential and the initial positive outlook from both Ellis and studio head Tony Hsu. 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.

Concord's struggles began early. Despite an eight-year development cycle, the game failed to attract a substantial player base, peaking at only 697 concurrent players. Analyst Daniel Ahmad points to several contributing factors: a lack of innovation and uninspired character designs, leaving it indistinguishable from competitors; and a high price point of $40, placing it at a disadvantage against free-to-play rivals. Minimal marketing further exacerbated the problem.

While Firewalk Studios is exploring future options, the possibility of a Concord revival remains uncertain. While some suggest a free-to-play model, deeper issues—bland character designs and uninspired gameplay—require more significant changes. A complete overhaul might be necessary to resurrect the game, mirroring successful turnarounds like Final Fantasy XIV's. Game8's 56/100 review highlighted the contrast between Concord's visual appeal and its ultimately lifeless gameplay.