Steam Updates Persistent Fiasco: Concord from Sony

Despite its swift removal from digital stores weeks after launch, Sony's ill-fated hero shooter, Concord, continues to receive updates on Steam, sparking considerable speculation among gamers. This article delves into these mysterious updates and the various theories surrounding them.

Concord's SteamDB Update Activity Fuels Speculation

Free-to-Play Resurgence? Gameplay Overhaul? Theories 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 amount of activity.

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

Concord's August launch aimed to disrupt the hero shooter market with a $40 price tag – a bold move considering the dominance of free-to-play giants like Overwatch, Valorant, and Apex Legends. The launch, however, was a catastrophic failure. Within two weeks, Sony pulled the plug, offering refunds. The player base was minuscule, interest nonexistent, and the game widely deemed a "dead on arrival" title.

So, why the continued updates for a game deemed a colossal failure? Ryan Ellis, then Game Director at Firewalk Studios, hinted at exploring alternative options, including those better suited to player reach, in the game's shutdown announcement. This has fueled speculation of a potential comeback, with many believing the updates signal a relaunch as a free-to-play title. This would address the significant criticism leveled at its initial paid model.

Given Sony's reported investment of up to $400 million in Concord, attempts to salvage this substantial investment are understandable. The ongoing updates suggest Firewalk Studios might be using this time to revamp the game, adding new features and addressing criticisms such as lackluster characters and uninspired gameplay.

Confirmation remains elusive. Sony has remained 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 would face a fierce battle for attention in a saturated market.

Currently, Concord is unavailable for purchase, and Sony hasn't made any official announcements. Only time will reveal if these speculations hold any truth, or if Concord will ever rise from the ashes of its initial failure.