Despite its swift demise weeks after launch, Sony's hero shooter, Concord, continues to receive updates on Steam, sparking considerable speculation among gamers. Let's delve into these mysterious updates and the theories surrounding them.
Concord's SteamDB Updates Fuel Speculation
Free-to-Play Resurgence or Gameplay Overhaul? Theories Abound
Remember Concord? The hero shooter that fizzled out almost immediately? While officially unavailable since September 6th, its Steam page shows a surprising number of updates.
SteamDB logs reveal over 20 updates since September 29th, attributed to accounts like "pmtest," "sonyqae," and "sonyqae_shipping." These account names suggest backend improvements and quality assurance testing ("QAE" likely stands for "Quality Assurance Engineer").
Concord's August launch was a significant misstep. Priced at $40, it faced stiff competition from free-to-play giants like Overwatch, Valorant, and Apex Legends. The game's poor reception led to its rapid withdrawal from stores and full refunds for players. Its low player count and negative reviews declared it a commercial failure.
So why the continued updates? Ryan Ellis, the former Firewalk Studios Game Director, hinted at exploring alternative options, including strategies for better player engagement, in the game's shutdown announcement. This has fueled speculation of a potential comeback, possibly as a free-to-play game. Removing the initial purchase barrier could address a major criticism of the original release.
Sony's substantial investment—reportedly up to $400 million—suggests a desire to salvage the project. The ongoing updates hint at a possible overhaul, with improvements to character design and gameplay mechanics to address earlier complaints.
However, this remains speculation. Sony maintains silence regarding Concord's future. Will it return with refined mechanics, a broader appeal, or a revised monetization strategy? Only Firewalk Studios and Sony know for sure. Even a free-to-play relaunch would face a challenging uphill battle in the crowded hero shooter market.
Currently, Concord remains unavailable, and Sony hasn't issued any official statements. The future of Concord remains uncertain, leaving us to wonder if it will ever rise from the ashes of its initial failure.
