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

Despite its swift demise weeks after launch, Sony's ill-fated hero shooter, Concord, continues to receive updates on Steam, sparking considerable speculation among gamers. Let's delve into these mysterious updates and the theories surrounding them.

Concord's SteamDB Updates Fuel Speculation

Free-to-Play Relaunch? Gameplay Overhaul? The Possibilities Abound

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

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

Concord's August launch aimed to disrupt the hero shooter market with a $40 price tag – a risky move against free-to-play giants like Overwatch, Valorant, and Apex Legends. The launch was disastrous. Within two weeks, Sony pulled the game, offering refunds. Low player numbers and near-zero interest sealed its fate, earning it "dead on arrival" status.

So why the continued updates for a game deemed a failure? Ryan Ellis, then-Game Director at Firewalk Studios, hinted at exploring options for better player reach in the shutdown announcement. This, coupled with the ongoing updates, has fueled speculation of a potential relaunch, possibly as a free-to-play title. This would address a key criticism – the hefty price point.

Sony's substantial investment (reportedly up to $400 million) makes a salvage attempt plausible. Many believe Firewalk Studios is using this time to revamp the game, adding features and addressing criticisms like underwhelming characters and uninspired gameplay.

Confirmation remains elusive. Sony's silence leaves the future of Concord uncertain. Will it return with refined mechanics, broader appeal, or a revised monetization model? Only Firewalk Studios and Sony hold the answer. Even a free-to-play resurgence would face a tough battle in a saturated market.

Currently, Concord remains unavailable, with no official announcements from Sony. Only time will reveal if these speculations bear fruit, or if Concord remains buried under the weight of its initial failure.