Sony Takes Concord Game Offline Just Two Weeks After Launch Amid Struggles to Attract Players

Sony has made the unexpected decision to pull its online multiplayer shooter Concord from sale just two weeks after its official release. The game, developed by Firewalk Studios and launched on August 23rd exclusively for PlayStation 5 and PC, has struggled to capture the interest of players, leading to its removal from online stores. In a blog post published on Sony's website, Concord game director Ryan Ellis announced that the game would go offline on September 6th, offering full refunds to players who purchased the £40 title. Ellis acknowledged that the game's launch didn't meet expectations and that, despite certain positive feedback from its community, other aspects "didn't land the way we’d intended." Ellis expressed gratitude to the players who supported the game and stated that Firewalk Studios would take the opportunity to reassess and "explore options" for a future relaunch. The team hopes to build on the elements that resonated with players and find better ways to reach a broader audience. Concord’s early removal reflects the competitive nature of the live-service gaming market, where multiplayer titles rely on regular updates and a strong player base to thrive. Sony has been expanding its portfolio of live-service games, aiming to replicate the success of hits like Helldivers 2, which has sold more than 12 million copies since its launch earlier this year. However, not all titles achieve similar traction, and Concord struggled to generate the same level of enthusiasm after its initial reveal during Sony's State of Play broadcast in May.

The challenges Concord faced are not unique in the gaming industry. The live-service model has been increasingly difficult to break into, as seen in the case of Warner Bros' Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, which also struggled to meet player expectations despite significant hype and a high-profile release. According to Newzoo, an analytics firm that tracks game popularity, long-established titles such as Minecraft, Roblox, and League of Legends continue to dominate the most-played charts, making it tough for new games like Concord to carve out their own space in an already saturated market.

Sony's decision to take the game offline may offer Firewalk Studios an opportunity to rework the title, but it serves as a reminder of the high stakes and fierce competition that developers face in the live-service gaming world. ⚡ Image Credit: GettyImages