Sony’s latest multiplayer shooter, Concord, has been pulled from sale just two weeks after its launch due to a lack of player engagement. The game, released exclusively for PlayStation 5 and PC on August 23rd, struggled to attract a significant player base, leading to its removal from the market.
In a blog post on Sony’s website, game director Ryan Ellis of developer Firewalk Studios announced the decision to take Concord offline starting September 6th. Players who purchased the game for £40 will receive a full refund while the team evaluates the best path forward for its return.
Concord is a hero shooter game similar to popular titles like Overwatch and Valorant, where players control characters with unique abilities and compete in various game modes. Despite being in development for eight years, the game received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for its graphics and gameplay but criticism for its lack of innovation in the genre.
The decision to remove Concord comes as a blow to Sony’s efforts to capture the multiplayer market, following the success of titles like Helldivers 2. The live-service game market is highly competitive, with established titles like Minecraft and League of Legends dominating player engagement.
Firewalk Studios expressed gratitude to the passionate community that supported Concord and promised to explore options to better reach players in the future. The failure of Concord highlights the challenges of breaking into the live-service game market and the importance of delivering a unique and engaging experience to attract and retain players.
