Firewalk Studios Announces Concord to be Shut Down With Full Refunds
Firewalk Studios’ Director Ryan Ellis has announced Concord to be Shut Down soon, a first-person shooter game considered a major disappointment in the gaming industry. The decision to shut down the game just two weeks after its release on September 6 was made to explore new options and better connect with players. Ellis admitted that Concord’s launch did not meet expectations set by Sony and Firewalk, with certain aspects of the game not aligning with the initial vision.
The closure of Concord comes as a surprising yet logical move, given its underwhelming performance.
Ellis emphasized the importance of reevaluating the game’s direction and engaging with the gaming community to deliver a more satisfying experience. By taking Concord offline, Firewalk Studios aims to regroup and strategize on how to enhance player engagement and create a more successful gaming experience in the future.
Sales of Concord Halted with Full Refunds Offered
Following an announcement, sales of Concord were stopped for PC and PlayStation 5. The developers are providing full refunds to buyers from Steam, EGS, PlayStation Store, or PlayStation Direct. Players who receive refunds will no longer have access to the game, which will be unavailable starting this Friday.
Challenges Faced by Concord Game Developers
The game Concord, despite its short lifespan, gained online popularity for negative reasons due to criticism from the community before its release.
The game was faulted for its unoriginal art style, gameplay, level design, lack of innovation, and high price tag of $40.
Financial Struggles Post-Launch
Concord faced further setbacks after selling only 25,000 copies post-launch, resulting in developers earning less than $1 million.
This revenue was significantly lower than the estimated development costs of $50-200 million, posing financial challenges for the developers.
Concord’s Potential Comeback as a Free-to-Play Game
While it’s amusing to mock Concord’s failure, it’s crucial to recognize that the high price likely deterred many players, not the game’s visuals. Most hero shooters, such as Overwatch and Valorant, are free-to-play, unlike Concord. Ellis’ comments hint at the possibility of Concord transitioning to a free-to-play model, potentially leading to a resurgence in popularity and achieving a milestone of 1,000 concurrent players in the future.
Possible Shift to Free-to-Play Model
Ellis’ statement suggests that Concord may adopt a free-to-play approach to attract more players. This move could help the game overcome its initial setbacks and reach a wider audience, potentially revitalizing its player base and achieving greater success.
