Why Sony’s Mysterious Decisions and Simple Gameplay Led to Concord’s Struggle for Success

Concord, that game that was supposed to be something special. The one that was shut down just two weeks into its existence. It’s difficult to see how a game that nobody seemed to love could fall so flat.

I remember when Concord was first revealed, back in May. It was introduced as a retro-futuristic, synth-drenched sci-fi shooter with a penchant for hero-switching. The visuals were stunning, the soundtrack was catchy, and the gameplay looked innovative. Firewalk Studios’ take on the multiplayer space was fresh and exciting – or at least, it seemed to be.

We got to see more of Concord when it reemerged earlier this year, with a cinematic trailer introducing the bizarre and wonderful creatures that populate its world. The game’s sci-fi setting is a mishmash of Moebius-inspired alien weirdos and hardened mercenaries, with the promise of deep lore waiting to be uncovered.

At its launch, Concord opened up for beta testing on PC, and I played it myself. The good news was that the gameplay was competently made. The heroes, known as Freegunners, swapped between one another seamlessly, granting each other buffs as they respawned. It was a clever gimmick that added a level of depth to the fast-paced, arena-style gameplay.

Unfortunately, that gimmick was about the only thing Concord had going for it. The game just didn’t have the right stuff. The characters and lore were interesting, sure, but they didn’t resonate with a broad audience. There was no strong personality to the game – no one character or mechanism that drew you in or made you want to spend hours with it.

Valve’s Overwatch 2, or even Riot Games’ Valorant, outshine Concord in every respect. Firewalk’s attempt at originality just missed the mark. The developers tried, but they lacked the flair and polish required to elevate their game from mere good to truly exceptional.

Of course, game development is a high-risk, high-reward business, and failure is an inescapable part of the journey. It’s a bummer to see a promising project like Concord shut down, especially for the passionate team behind it. Sony and Firewalk will undoubtedly learn from the experience and apply those lessons to future endeavors.

Until then, all we’re left with are the screenshots and memories – and maybe, just maybe, Concord’s better ideas will influence other games down the line.