In a significant development for the gaming industry, Sony Interactive Entertainment has made the decisive move to permanently close Firewalk Studios and discontinue its troubled multiplayer game Concord, marking one of the fastest shutdowns of a major gaming project in recent history.
The Fall of Concord
Sony's gaming division has officially announced the permanent closure of Firewalk Studios and the complete discontinuation of Concord, their ambitious PvP first-person shooter. The game, which had been in development for over five years and carried a $40 price tag at launch, failed to meet its target objectives in the highly competitive shooter market. The game's performance was particularly disappointing, reaching a peak of only 660 concurrent players on Steam before rapidly declining.
Studio Closure Impact
The closure affects approximately 210 employees across both Firewalk Studios and Neon Koi, Sony's mobile gaming studio which is also being shuttered. Herman Hulst, CEO of PlayStation's studio business group, has indicated that Sony will attempt to place some affected employees within their global network of studios, though the full extent of internal transfers remains unclear.
Creative Experimentation vs Market Reality
Firewalk Studios' final statement defended their creative approach, noting their attempts to innovate by combining elements from card battlers and fighting games with first-person-shooter mechanics. While acknowledging that these experimental features didn't resonate with players as hoped, the studio maintained that such risk-taking is essential for advancing the gaming medium. This situation highlights the delicate balance between creative experimentation and commercial viability in the modern gaming industry.
Sony's Strategic Response
The decision to close Firewalk Studios came after several months of evaluation following Concord's initial suspension in September. Sony's leadership emphasized that while certain aspects of Concord were exceptional, the game's inability to attract and retain players made its continuation financially unsustainable. This move reflects Sony's commitment to maintaining sustainable financials while balancing creative experimentation in game development.
Future Implications
This closure serves as a significant case study in the challenges facing new multiplayer games in today's consolidated market. Sony has indicated that they will take lessons learned from Concord to improve their future live service capabilities, suggesting a more cautious approach to similar ventures in the future.