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

Concord, Sony's ill-fated hero shooter, continues to receive updates on Steam despite being swiftly removed from digital stores weeks after its launch. This unexpected activity has sparked considerable speculation among gamers.

Concord's SteamDB Updates Fuel Speculation

Free-to-Play Resurgence? Gameplay Overhaul? Theories Abound

Remember Concord? The hero shooter that fizzled faster than a damp squib? Despite its official demise on September 6th, its Steam page shows a surprising flurry of updates.

Since September 29th, SteamDB has logged over 20 updates attributed to accounts like "pmtest," "sonyqae," and "sonyqae_shipping." These account names suggest a focus on backend fixes and improvements, with "QAE" possibly referring to "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, however, was disastrous. Within two weeks, Sony pulled the plug, offering refunds. Low player numbers and near-zero interest led to its being declared "dead on arrival."

So, why the continued updates for a seemingly defunct game? Ryan Ellis, then-Game Director at Firewalk Studios, hinted at exploring alternative strategies in the shutdown announcement, including ways to better reach players. This has fueled speculation of a potential comeback, perhaps as a free-to-play title. Removing the initial price barrier could significantly broaden its appeal.

Given Sony's substantial investment—reportedly up to $400 million—attempts to salvage the project aren't surprising. The ongoing updates suggest Firewalk Studios might be overhauling the game, adding features, and addressing criticisms such as lackluster characters and uninspired gameplay.

However, this remains purely speculation. Sony remains silent on Concord's future. Could it return with improved mechanics, broader appeal, or a revised monetization model? Only Firewalk Studios and Sony know for sure. Even as a free-to-play title, it faces a steep uphill battle in a crowded genre.

Currently, Concord is unavailable for purchase, and Sony hasn't made any official announcements. Whether it rises from the ashes remains to be seen.