Concord Takes a Bow: Sony's Latest Hero Shooter to Go Offline After Poor Sales

Concord's Downfall: A Struggling Launch

Sony has decided to take Concord, its latest hero shooter, offline starting September 6, 2024, due to disastrous sales figures and low player engagement. After its launch on August 23rd, Concord, which was exclusive to PS5 and PC, managed to sell less than 25,000 copies and peaked at only 697 players on Steam. This performance places it beneath even The Lord of the Rings: Gollum in terms of launch success, a title notorious for its poor reception.

Game Director's Statement on Refunds and Future Plans

Ryan Ellis, the game director of Concord, announced that the team is in discussions on how to better connect with players. “We have decided to take the game offline beginning September 6, 2024, and explore options, including those that will better reach our players,” said Ellis in a blog post. Additionally, refunds will be processed immediately for those who purchased the game on PS5 or PC.

• Refunds for PS5 purchases will be issued to the original payment method.
• Steam users will see their refunds in the coming days.
• The same applies to purchases made on the Epic Games Store.

A Tough Market for Paid Hero Shooters

Initially priced at $40 after eight years of development, Concord faced stiff competition against various free-to-play titles such as Overwatch and Valorant. Many analysts speculate that the game may eventually pivot to a free-to-play model to survive in the competitive landscape. Firewalk Studios is eager to keep the community informed, with Ellis thanking players: “We’ll keep you updated and thank you again to all the Freegunners who have joined us in the Concord galaxy.”