It has been a year since Concord, the ambitious competitive FPS game backed by Sony, was taken offline just weeks after its much-anticipated launch. With its stunning triple-A visuals, substantial development budget, and promises of engaging storytelling through high-quality cinematics, both Sony and developer Firewalk Studios aimed to position it as the next significant multiplayer sensation. However, the reality unfolded quite differently. The game faced a tepid reception upon its reveal, a disappointing turnout during its beta phase, and a prevailing negative sentiment that ultimately resulted in alarmingly low player counts. Merely two weeks post-launch, Concord was shut down.
Insights from Developers
Recently, fresh insights from those involved in the game’s development emerged during a podcast episode of A Life Well Wasted. A group of developers from an unnamed studio engaged in a candid discussion about a large project that met a swift demise shortly after its launch. Although they refrained from naming the game directly, it is widely understood that they were referring to Firewalk Studios and Concord.
While the developers unanimously praised Firewalk as a positive workplace, characterized by camaraderie and a shared enthusiasm for the FPS title, they also acknowledged the presence of “red flags” throughout the development process. They noted that the game was crafted with a high degree of quality and precision, aligning closely with the vision set forth by leadership. Ironically, that very vision became a point of contention. There was a prevailing belief that Concord was too significant to fail, given the extensive resources and time invested in it.
One developer reflected, “Every creative endeavor is a gamble, but from when I first came in four years ago, it was like: ‘it’s too big to fail, there’s so much behind this.’ Even if things go poorly on launch, it’s gonna be ok, and we’ll have one year’s runway, two years’ runway or something like that to right the ship.”
As the developers contemplated the factors that alienated players, one pointed out that Firewalk struggled to effectively communicate the game’s objectives prior to its cinematic reveal. The aesthetics and characters failed to resonate with the audience, leading one developer to conclude, “It taught me something important – there’s something worse than making a bad game, and that’s making an uncool one.”
Regarding the game’s abrupt shutdown and delisting, opinions within the group varied. Some developers were glued to streams, anticipating the moment the servers would go dark, with one describing it as a “mercy killing” for a project that had endured significant criticism in the weeks leading up to its closure. Others expressed genuine heartbreak over the game’s lack of opportunity to thrive. While there was a consensus that Firewalk could have better understood player desires and communicated more effectively, many felt that Concord was not inherently a ‘bad’ game.
“‘Greatest flop of all time’ – I don’t feel like it deserves that,” one developer remarked, challenging the label that has been assigned to Concord. Another lamented, “I think gamers missed out,” reflecting on the missed opportunity for many who never experienced the game and will never have the chance to do so again. One developer poignantly described it as “the most beautiful car that we [Firewalk] crashed,” highlighting the game’s polished visuals and overall quality.
This episode offers a compelling listen, providing a glimpse into the development team’s experiences and reflections. For those interested, it can be accessed here, or you can find additional insights shared by the development team in a ResetEra post.
As we reflect on the swift demise of Concord, it serves as a reminder of how not to approach the marketing and launch of a high-budget PvP shooter. In the meantime, here are some of the best multiplayer games currently available, along with a preview of upcoming PC titles to anticipate for the remainder of 2025 and beyond.
If you had the chance to try Concord during its brief existence, we invite you to share your thoughts in our Discord server, or join us in discussing your favorite PC games more broadly.
