Sony's Major Flop Receives Continued Steam Updates

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.

Concord's Post-Launch SteamDB Updates Fuel Speculation

Free-to-Play Conversion or Gameplay Overhaul? Theories Abound

Remember Concord? The hero shooter that fizzled out almost immediately? While officially offline since September 6th, its Steam page shows a surprising number of updates.

SteamDB logs reveal over 20 updates since September 29th, attributed to accounts like "pmtest," "sonyqae," and "sonyqae_shipping." These account names suggest the updates might focus on backend improvements and quality assurance ("QAE").

Concord's August launch was a significant misstep. Priced at $40, it faced stiff competition from established free-to-play giants like Overwatch, Valorant, and Apex Legends. The game's poor reception led to its rapid removal from stores and refunds for players. Its low player count and negative reviews effectively declared it a failure.

So, why the continued updates? Ryan Ellis, the former Firewalk Studios Game Director, hinted at exploring alternative approaches in the shutdown announcement, including strategies for better player engagement. This has fueled theories of a potential relaunch, possibly as a free-to-play game. This would address the criticism surrounding its initial price point.

Sony's substantial investment—reportedly up to $400 million—makes an attempt to salvage the project understandable. The ongoing updates suggest Firewalk Studios might be overhauling the game, adding features, and rectifying the original criticisms of weak character designs and uninspired gameplay.

However, all this remains speculative. Sony has remained silent on Concord's future. Will it return with enhanced mechanics, broader appeal, or a revised monetization strategy? Only Firewalk Studios and Sony possess the answer. Even as a free-to-play title, Concord would face a challenging uphill battle in a saturated market.

Currently, Concord is unavailable for purchase, and Sony hasn't issued any official statements. The future of Concord remains uncertain, leaving its fate hanging in the balance.