In a surprising and unprecedented move, Sony has decided to pull the plug on Concord, a multiplayer game released on PlayStation 5 and PC, less than two weeks after its launch. This decision comes amidst poor player engagement and dismal sales, dealing a significant blow to the studio and raising questions about the game’s future.
A Galactic Flop
Launched on August 23, Concord was Sony’s attempt to enter the competitive hero-shooter genre, aiming to rival heavyweights like Overwatch and Valorant. The game promised a strategic blend of gameplay and a rich, expanding galactic lore. Despite some praise for its mechanics, including a 16/20 review score from critics, Concord failed to resonate with players.
The numbers were grim from the start. On Steam, the game’s peak player count never exceeded 700 concurrent users—a catastrophic figure for a multiplayer title. Sales were equally lackluster, with reports indicating only 10,000 units sold on Steam and 15,000 on PS5. For a high-budget release meant to dominate its genre, these statistics spelled disaster.
Sony Closes Servers and Issues Refunds
Facing mounting pressure, Sony announced that Concord’s servers will shut down on September 6. In an official statement, the company thanked fans for their enthusiasm but admitted the launch had not met expectations:
“We have listened carefully to player feedback since Concord launched on PlayStation 5 and PC, and we deeply appreciate the support and passion shown by the community. However, while many aspects of the experience resonated with players, we recognize that others fell short. For now, we have decided to close the servers starting September 6, 2024, while exploring other options to better engage players.”
As part of this decision, Sony has ceased all sales of the game and is issuing full refunds to players who purchased it on PS5 or PC.
Refund Details
- PlayStation Store/PlayStation Direct: Refunds will be processed automatically to the original payment method. Players who used unavailable payment methods will receive a credit to their PSN Wallet. Refunds may take 30 to 60 days to appear.
- Steam and Epic Games Store: Both platforms will issue refunds within the coming days and notify customers directly once the process is complete.
- Other Retailers: Physical copies or purchases made through third-party stores will be subject to the store’s own refund policy.
Once refunds are processed, players will lose access to the game.
What Went Wrong?
Despite a strong marketing push, Concord struggled to gain traction, a fate sealed by a saturated hero-shooter market and a lack of unique appeal. While the game had some potential, the crowded multiplayer landscape left little room for newcomers, particularly those unable to build an immediate and sizable player base.
Sony hinted that the shutdown might not be permanent, describing the closure as an opportunity to rethink the game’s direction. Whether Concord will return in a new format or as a free-to-play title remains uncertain.
Lessons for the Industry
The rapid failure of Concord highlights the risks of entering highly competitive gaming genres without an established player base or standout features. Even with the backing of a major publisher like Sony, a lack of early adoption can lead to rapid obsolescence in today’s gaming market.
For now, Concord joins the ranks of ambitious projects that couldn’t quite take off. Whether it can rise again remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the path to success in multiplayer gaming is more challenging than ever.