Sony has made a surprising move by pulling the multiplayer shooter Concord from sale, just two weeks after its launch on PlayStation 5 and PC. The game, developed by Firewalk Studios, faced challenges in attracting players, prompting Sony to take this drastic step.
Concord Shut Down
Concord is a hero shooter, similar to Overwatch and Valorant. It features teams of characters with unique abilities, competing in various game modes. However, despite years of development, the game struggled to gain traction and received mixed reviews. Moreover, according to SteamDB data, Concord’s peak concurrent player count was only 660. In contrast, this is a far cry from the millions of players enjoyed by popular titles like Counter-Strike 2.
Firewalk Studios Game Director Ryan Ellis shared a message with the game’s community, expressing gratitude to players for joining the journey aboard the Northstar. He thanked the passionate community that formed around Concord. However, he also acknowledged that the game and its launch did not fully meet expectations.
As a result, Firewalk Studios has made the difficult decision to take Concord offline starting from the 6th of September, 2024. During this time, the team will explore new options to better serve players.
Full Refunds Available
Good news for players who purchased Concord: full refunds will be issued for all PS5 and PC purchases. For PlayStation 5 players who bought the game digitally, the refund will be automatically issued back to the original payment method.
For PC players who purchased through Steam or the Epic Games Store, refunds will be processed in the coming days. Here’s what you need to know:
- Steam: Steam will automatically refund players and send confirmation once the process is complete.
- Epic Games Store: Epic will first contact players directly to confirm their refunds. Then, the refunds will be processed within the next few days.
For physical copies purchased at retailers outside of PlayStation Direct, players should refer to the retailer’s refund policy.
Looking Ahead
While Concord will be unavailable after the 6th of September, Firewalk Studios assures players they are committed to the future. They’ll keep the community updated on their plans for the game. The announcement concludes with a message of thanks to all “Freegunners” (Concord players) who joined them in exploring the Concord galaxy.
This decision marks a significant setback for Sony, which has been investing heavily in multiplayer games. The recent success of Helldivers 2, selling over 12 million copies, had raised expectations for Concord. However, the game’s performance highlighted the competitive nature of the multiplayer market and the challenges of launching a new title.
