Sony has announced that it is pulling online shooter Concord from sale just two weeks after its launch. The multiplayer title was released exclusively for PlayStation 5 and PC on August 23rd, but has reportedly struggled to attract players.

In a blog post on Sony's website, game director Ryan Ellis of developer Firewalk Studios, announced that the game would be taken offline from September 6th. He said anyone who had bought the £40 game would receive a full refund while the team "determine the best path ahead" for its return.

Concord was Sony's latest entry into the multiplayer shooter market, a genre dominated by established titles like Overwatch and Valorant. It received mixed reviews from critics, with many praising its graphics and competent gameplay but criticising its failure to offer a new take on the genre.

A Flop From the Start

Concord's struggles were evident from its launch. According to website SteamDB, which tracks the number of people playing games on the PC platform, Concord's highest number of concurrent users was 660. By contrast, the most-played game, Counter-Strike 2, has consistently recorded more than 1 million players since August 2022.

These low player numbers were reflected in Concord's sales, which are estimated to have been below 25,000 copies worldwide. This is a stark contrast to the success of Sony's other live-service game, Helldivers 2, which has sold over 12 million copies since its release in February.

Why Did Concord Fail?

There are several reasons why Concord failed to capture the imagination of gamers.

• Lack of Innovation: While the game offered competent gameplay and graphics, it failed to distinguish itself from other established hero shooters. Many critics felt that it was too similar to Overwatch and Valorant, and that it lacked a unique selling point.

• Poor Marketing: Despite its big budget and eight-year development cycle, Concord's marketing campaign was relatively muted. The game's reveal at Sony's State of Play broadcast in May did not generate much excitement, and many observers predicted that it would struggle to find an audience.

• A Saturated Market: The live-service market is incredibly competitive, and new games often struggle to make a dent in the established order. Titles like Minecraft, Roblox, and League of Legends have been dominating the charts for years, and it is difficult for new games to break through.

The Future of Live-Service Games at Sony

Concord's failure is a major blow to Sony, which has been investing heavily in live-service games. The company has acquired several live-service game developers in recent years, and has been pushing its PlayStation 5 platform as a home for these games.

However, Concord's demise raises questions about Sony's strategy for the live-service market. The company may need to reconsider its approach, and perhaps focus on more innovative and original games. It is possible that Concord could return in a different form, perhaps as a free-to-play game. But for now, it seems that Sony's live-service ambitions have taken a hit.

The End of Concord

The news of Concord's closure has been met with mixed reactions. Some gamers are disappointed, as they had been looking forward to the game's launch. Others are not surprised, as they had seen the writing on the wall for some time.

Whatever the reason for its failure, Concord's demise serves as a reminder of the challenges of creating successful live-service games in today's competitive market. Sony will need to learn from its mistakes and adapt its strategy if it wants to continue to compete in this space.