Sony Flop 'Concord' Receives Continued Steam Updates

Despite its swift demise, Concord, Sony's ill-fated hero shooter, continues to receive updates on Steam. This unexpected activity has sparked considerable speculation among gamers. Let's delve into the ongoing 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 almost as quickly as it launched? While officially offline since September 6th, its Steam page shows a surprising number of recent updates.

SteamDB records 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, priced at $40, was a bold move against free-to-play giants like Overwatch, Valorant, and Apex Legends. The result? A catastrophic failure. Within two weeks, Sony pulled the game and offered refunds. Low player numbers and overwhelmingly negative reviews sealed its fate.

So why the continued updates? Ryan Ellis, then Game Director at Firewalk Studios, hinted at exploring new options in the game's shutdown announcement, including those that might better engage players. The ongoing updates fuel speculation of a potential comeback, possibly as a free-to-play title. This could address the significant criticism leveled at its initial paid model.

Sony's substantial investment—reportedly up to $400 million—likely motivates attempts to salvage the project. The updates might signal a significant overhaul, incorporating new features and addressing initial criticisms of weak character design and uninspired gameplay.

However, Sony remains silent on Concord's future. Will it return with improved mechanics, broader appeal, or a revised monetization strategy? Only Firewalk Studios and Sony know for sure. Even as a free-to-play title, Concord faces a challenging uphill battle in a saturated market.

Currently, Concord is unavailable for purchase, and Sony has yet to make any official announcements. The future of this once-promising title remains uncertain, leaving gamers to wonder if Concord can truly rise from the ashes.