A recent report from Kotaku reveals a significant shift at Firewalk Studios as Ryan Ellis, the game director behind the much-anticipated title Concord, has decided to step down from his leadership role. Instead, he will transition into a support position within the studio. This announcement came shortly after Sony temporarily took Concord offline to reassess strategies aimed at better engaging with players.
Challenges and Changes
Ellis, who previously directed Destiny 2 before founding Firewalk in 2018, made this announcement last week, just days following the game’s lackluster launch. Concord recorded a disheartening peak of only 697 concurrent players on Steam, raising eyebrows about its viability in a competitive market. Sony had acquired Firewalk outright in 2023, prior to the game’s unveiling, which adds another layer of complexity to this situation.
The price tag for Concord has been widely criticized as a contributing factor to its disappointing performance. However, reviews have also pointed to deeper issues, describing the game as “an underbaked, overpriced, and dated hero shooter.” A review from our team rated it at 45%, stating that “fine” simply does not suffice in a gaming landscape that demands innovation and quality.
Future Prospects
While there is speculation about the possibility of Concord making a return, potentially as a free-to-play title, the mood among Firewalk staff appears to be one of skepticism. Reports indicate that some team members have been encouraged to explore new project pitches that diverge from Concord entirely. This shift raises concerns about potential layoffs and the overall stability of the studio.
Firewalk’s situation is particularly precarious, especially considering the recent layoffs at Sony-owned Bungie, where 220 employees were let go as part of a “portfolio optimization” strategy. As a studio focused primarily on a single game, Firewalk may find itself vulnerable to similar cuts or even closure. Efforts to reach Sony for further comment on this evolving situation are ongoing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
