Concord’s launch hasn’t gone as planned. Since its launch for PC and PS5 over a week ago, the hero shooter has not only seen lukewarm reception at best, it’s also performed shockingly where its sales and player numbers are concerned, debuting with less than 700 concurrent Steam players and reportedly selling just 25,000 units (after a prolonged development cycle). Now, publisher Sony and developer Firewalk Studios are responding in drastic fashion.
In a PlayStation Blog update, it has been announced that on September 6, just two weeks on from the game’s release, Concord will not only be taken entirely offline, it will also be pulled off sale. Those who have purchased the game will be issued full refunds, with Firewalk and Sony “explore options” for the future of the game- if there is one.
“Concord fans — we’ve been listening closely to your feedback since the launch of Concord on PlayStation 5 and PC and want to thank everyone who has joined the journey aboard the Northstar,” wrote game director Ryan Ellis. “Your support and the passionate community that has grown around the game has meant the world to us.
“However, while many qualities of the experience resonated with players, we also recognize that other aspects of the game and our initial launch didn’t land the way we’d intended. Therefore, at this time, we have decided to take the game offline beginning September 6, 2024, and explore options, including those that will better reach our players.
“While we determine the best path ahead, Concord sales will cease immediately and we will begin to offer a full refund for all gamers who have purchased the game for PS5 or PC.”
Does this mean Concord will return as a free-to-play title? Will it even return at all? It’s anyone’s guess at this point, but it’s fair to say this is an unprecedented move, and one that PlayStation might not be able to live down for a while.
In our review of Concord, we gave it a score of 6/10, saying, “Firewalk Studios’ Concord constrains all of its imagination on the Galactic Guide, leaving little for the gameplay. Responsive gunplay and vibrant visuals can only go so far, especially when the competition is doing better for free.” Read the full review through here.