Concord Archives

AppWizard

November 19, 2025

Fallout co-creator says modern games “don’t really know what they want to be,” and I don’t need to look too hard for examples

The modern gaming landscape, especially in triple-A titles, is characterized by high budgets and a strong drive for mass appeal, which can dilute quality. Tim Cain, co-creator of Fallout, critiques this trend, advocating for a focused approach reminiscent of 1980s game design. He differentiates between games that achieve mass appeal through exceptional execution, like Skyrim and Baldur's Gate 3, and those that attempt to appeal broadly but lack distinct identity, such as Concord and Killing Floor 3. Cain notes that contemporary games often suffer from confusion about their purpose, resulting from a design process aimed at satisfying publishers and broad demographics. In contrast, 1980s developers faced hardware limitations that necessitated focus and efficiency, leading to clearer game concepts. Upcoming nominees for the 2025 Game of the Year, including Expedition 33, Hades 2, Silksong, and Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, exemplify the benefits of tight design and unique identities. Cain compares this principle to fine dining, where fewer ingredients can lead to a more enjoyable experience, suggesting that clarity and focus in game design can enhance player experiences.

AppWizard

November 16, 2025

Concord’s surprise return might be short-lived as dev suspends invites after “worrying legal action”‘

A group of fans has initiated a project called Concord Delta to reverse-engineer Concord, a hero shooter from Firewalk Studios that Sony had declared "permanently sunsetting." They have developed matchmaking capabilities and planned private playtesting, but faced DMCA takedowns shortly after announcing their efforts. Following Concord's closure, refunds were issued to players, stripping them of legal entitlement to the game, complicating the reverse-engineering efforts. While boxed copies of Concord exist, the situation highlights the contrast between physical ownership and digital rights. The dissolution of Firewalk Studios raises doubts about a formal return for Concord, despite community enthusiasm for a potential free-to-play PC version.

AppWizard

November 15, 2025

Shortly after Concord’s resurrection by fans, it looks like Sony might be about to kill it again: ‘Due to worrying legal action we’ve decided to pause invites for the time being’

Concord, after eight years of development, launched to a lukewarm reception and faded into obscurity. A dedicated group of fans revived the project, but recent reports indicate that Sony has imposed restrictions on gameplay videos related to the revival, leading to multiple DMCA strikes issued by the digital asset protection firm MarkScan. This has raised concerns among fans and creators, threatening the revival's sustainability and leaving the future of the game uncertain.

AppWizard

October 29, 2025

That multiplayer God of War game Sony axed in its live-service purge might’ve taken us back to Greece, as reportedly leaked screenshots emerge

Sony aims to launch 12 live service gaming titles by 2025 but has faced challenges, leading to the shelving of eight planned titles. Among the cancelled projects is a highly anticipated God of War game, with leaked screenshots circulating in the gaming community. The decision to shift focus away from live service models may allow for a more narrative-driven approach in future single-player titles.

AppWizard

October 29, 2025

How Was THIS the First Game I Finished on My New PC?

The author recently upgraded to a new gaming PC and completed LEGO Horizon Adventures, a family-friendly game part of Sony's 2024 initiative. The game, built on Unreal Engine 5, has faced criticism for its system requirements and performance issues, but it performed well on the author's PC, especially with Nvidia's DLSS 4. The game features high production value and effective use of lighting and environmental detail, although it condenses a longer narrative into a shorter format. It was developed by Studio Gobo and Sony, not the usual TT Games team. The author created a document to track completed games and noted that LEGO Horizon Adventures is the only entry so far. The review was self-funded, with no compensation received from developers.

AppWizard

September 8, 2025

Concord’s death was a “mercy killing,” but it doesn’t deserve its “greatest flop of all time” label, devs suggest

Concord, a competitive FPS game developed by Firewalk Studios and backed by Sony, was taken offline just two weeks after its launch due to low player counts and negative reception. Developers involved in the project discussed its challenges in a podcast, highlighting that while Firewalk was a positive workplace, there were "red flags" during development. They noted the game's high quality but acknowledged issues with communicating its objectives and appealing to players. Some developers felt the game's abrupt shutdown was a "mercy killing," while others expressed regret over the missed opportunity for players. Despite its failure, some developers believed Concord did not deserve the label of "greatest flop of all time."

AppWizard

August 26, 2025

PlayStation’s Hulst: We want studios to “fail early and cheapy”

Sony Interactive Entertainment is enhancing its project development processes by implementing rigorous testing protocols following the costly failure of its live-service game, Concord, which incurred 0 million in development costs before being withdrawn shortly after launch. The company has canceled several ongoing projects deemed unfit for release and is focusing on learning from past failures to ensure early and cost-effective adjustments. Herman Hulst, head of studios, emphasized the importance of diverse player experiences and vibrant gaming communities over the quantity of live-service releases. The company is now adopting a more robust testing regimen to improve future projects.

AppWizard

August 8, 2025

Sony’s live-service transition “not entirely going smoothly”

Sony Interactive Entertainment's CEO and CFO, Lin Tao, discussed challenges in the company's live-service gaming strategy, acknowledging difficulties in transitioning to a service-oriented portfolio. This includes the cancellation of the game Concord shortly after its release and the postponement of Bungie's title, Marathon, along with several other shelved projects. Tao noted that live-service games were almost non-existent for PlayStation Studios five years ago, but now contribute significantly to sales and profit through titles like Helldivers 2, MLB, Gran Turismo 7, and Destiny 2. The live-service ratio for Q1 was approximately 40 percent, with projections for the full year estimating between 20 to 30 percent. He recognized ongoing issues that need addressing to improve the introduction of live service content. Regarding Marathon, Tao mentioned it was delayed from its original September release due to an unsatisfactory alpha test, with an optimistic aim for completion by March 2026, though no official launch date has been set. He also discussed Bungie's integration into PlayStation Studios, indicating a shift from its initial independent operation towards becoming more integrated into the studio's structure.

AppWizard

July 24, 2025

7 years on, CliffyB is ‘still bitter’ about people gravedancing when his studio Boss Key failed: ‘It was amazing at first and then, well, it broke me for a good long while’

Cliff Bleszinski, a game designer known for his work at Epic Games and as the lead designer for the original Gears of War trilogy, founded Boss Key Productions, which launched the game LawBreakers in 2017. Despite innovative mechanics and unique characters, LawBreakers struggled in a competitive market dominated by games like Overwatch and PUBG, leading to its failure. Bleszinski reflected on the experience, expressing bitterness about the public's reaction to his studio's closure. He noted that shortly after LawBreakers' release, Epic Games introduced a new mode for Fortnite, further intensifying competition. Currently, Bleszinski prefers consulting over game development.

AppWizard

July 12, 2025

These 15 PC games died for our sins—can you even remember their names?

Numerous video games fade into obscurity as servers are decommissioned and digital storefronts remove their listings. Some games never reach the launch stage, while others fail shortly after launch or during open beta or Early Access, leading to the downfall of their developing studios. These games were briefly available on PC and span various genres, including multiplayer shooters, MOBAs, and MMOs.