Despite its swift demise after launch, Concord, Sony's ill-fated hero shooter, continues to receive updates on Steam. This unexpected activity has sparked considerable speculation among gamers. Let's delve into the ongoing updates and the theories surrounding them.
Concord's SteamDB Update Spree Fuels Speculation
Free-to-Play Resurgence? Gameplay Overhaul? The Possibilities Abound
Remember Concord? The hero shooter that fizzled out faster than a damp squib? Despite its official offline status since September 6th, its Steam page shows a surprising number of updates.
Since September 29th, SteamDB logs indicate over 20 updates for Concord, attributed to accounts like "pmtest," "sonyqae," and "sonyqae_shipping." These account names suggest a focus on backend improvements and quality assurance ("QAE" likely stands for Quality Assurance Engineer).
Concord's August launch aimed to disrupt the hero shooter market with a $40 price tag – a bold move against free-to-play giants like Overwatch, Valorant, and Apex Legends. The launch was disastrous, however. Within two weeks, Sony pulled the game and issued refunds. The player base was minuscule, interest was virtually nonexistent, and the game received overwhelmingly negative reviews. It was widely considered a failure.
So why the continued updates? Ryan Ellis, then-Game Director at Firewalk Studios, hinted at exploring options for better player reach in the game's shutdown announcement. This has fueled speculation about a potential comeback, possibly as a free-to-play title. This would address the price point criticism that contributed to its initial downfall.
Given Sony's substantial investment (reportedly up to $400 million), attempts to salvage the project aren't surprising. The updates suggest Firewalk Studios might be overhauling the game, adding features, and addressing criticisms such as underwhelming characters and uninspired gameplay.
Confirmation remains elusive. Sony has remained silent on Concord's future. Will it return with refined mechanics, broader appeal, or a new monetization model? Only Firewalk Studios and Sony know for sure. Even as a free-to-play title, it faces an uphill battle in a saturated market.
Currently, Concord is unavailable for purchase, and Sony hasn't made any official announcements. Whether it rises from the ashes remains to be seen.
