A commemorative plaque from Sony's failed shooter Concord has become an unexpected collector's item, drawing intense bidding activity on Goodwill's online auction platform. The gaming industry's most notorious flop of 2024 continues to generate headlines, this time through a piece of memorabilia that has captured the attention of collectors willing to pay premium prices for a tangible piece of gaming history.
The Auction That Surprised Everyone
The commemorative wall plaque, originally awarded to Chelsea Grace who served as outsourcing and co-development lead on Concord, has attracted over 40 bids on ShopGoodwill.com. The current asking price has surpassed USD $3,000, a figure that continues to climb as the auction approaches its June 3rd deadline. The plaque celebrates the worldwide Concord launch on August 23, 2024, and specifically honors Grace as a founding Freegunner, Northstar Crew member.
Auction Details:
- Current Bid: USD $3,002
- Number of Bids: 41+
- Auction End Date: June 3rd
- Seller: Goodwill of the Olympics and Rainier Region
- Item: Chelsea Grace Founding Concord PS5 Freegunner Wall Hanging Plaque
Mystery Behind the Donation
How this piece of gaming memorabilia ended up at Goodwill remains unclear. The plaque could have been donated directly by Grace, discarded and later recovered, or lost during the closure of Firewalk Studios. Goodwill of the Olympics and Rainier Region confirmed the item was donated but provided no additional details about its origins. This uncertainty adds an element of intrigue to an already fascinating auction.
Concord's Spectacular Failure
The high bidding reflects the unique position Concord holds in gaming history as one of PlayStation's most expensive failures. Sony's live-service hero shooter was pulled offline just two weeks after launch due to disastrously low player numbers, with estimates suggesting only 25,000 copies were sold. The game's development reportedly cost around USD $200 million, not including Sony's acquisition of Firewalk Studios in 2023. Sony ultimately shuttered the developer entirely, making any remaining memorabilia increasingly rare.
Concord Timeline and Key Facts:
- Launch Date: August 23, 2024
- Time Online: 2 weeks before shutdown
- Estimated Sales: ~25,000 copies
- Development Cost: ~USD $200 million
- Studio Closure: End of 2024
Collectible Value in Failure
The plaque's appeal lies in its representation of a spectacular gaming industry failure, similar to how misprinted stamps or error coins become valuable to collectors. Gaming memorabilia from failed projects often becomes more sought-after than items from successful releases, as their scarcity and historical significance create unique collecting opportunities. The proceeds from this auction will benefit Goodwill's mission of helping people find employment and develop careers.
Uncertain Future for the Sale
Whether the winning bidder will actually complete the purchase remains questionable. Online auctions, particularly for high-profile items with significant media attention, sometimes see winning bidders disappear without payment. However, the sustained bidding activity and the item's legitimate historical value suggest serious collector interest that could result in a completed transaction.