Concord, Sony's Major Flop, Continues to Get Updates on Steam

Despite its swift removal from digital storefronts weeks after launch, Sony's ill-fated hero shooter, Concord, continues to receive updates on Steam. This unexpected activity has sparked considerable speculation among gamers.

Concord's SteamDB Update Mystery

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

Remember Concord? The hero shooter that fizzled out faster than a damp squib? While officially unavailable since September 6th, its Steam page shows a steady stream of updates.

Since September 29th, SteamDB logs over 20 updates for Concord, attributed to accounts like "pmtest," "sonyqae," and "sonyqae_shipping." These account names suggest the updates may focus on backend improvements and quality assurance ("QAE" possibly stands for Quality Assurance Engineer).

Concord's August launch, priced at $40, aimed to disrupt the hero shooter market dominated by free-to-play giants like Overwatch, Valorant, and Apex Legends. The attempt was disastrous. Within two weeks, Sony pulled the game, offering refunds. Low player numbers and overwhelmingly negative reviews sealed its fate as a commercial failure.

So why the continued updates? Ryan Ellis, former Firewalk Studios Game Director, hinted at exploring alternative options to reach players in the game's shutdown announcement. The ongoing updates fuel speculation of a potential comeback, possibly as a free-to-play title. This would address the criticism of its high price point.

Sony's substantial investment – reportedly up to $400 million – makes attempts to salvage the project unsurprising. The updates suggest Firewalk Studios might be overhauling the game, adding features, and addressing criticisms about weak characters and uninspired gameplay.

Confirmation remains elusive. Sony's silence leaves the future of Concord uncertain. Will it return with improved mechanics, broader appeal, or a revamped monetization strategy? Only Firewalk Studios and Sony know for sure. Even a free-to-play relaunch faces a tough battle in a highly competitive market.

Currently, Concord is unavailable, and Sony offers no official statements. Only time will reveal if these speculations prove true, or if Concord remains a cautionary tale of a game that failed to launch.