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Concord

Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 5
Genre: Online Multiplayer
Developer: Firewalk Studios
Release Date: Aug. 23, 2024

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'Concord' Permanently Shut Down, Developer Firewalk Studios Closes

by Rainier on Oct. 29, 2024 @ 11:57 a.m. PDT

Assemble your Freegunner crew and travel the Concord galaxy to compete with rival teams in a 5v5 character-driven FPS.

Set in a vibrant original sci-fi universe, Concord is a new team-based shooter where you assume the role of the crew of the Northstar – a group of misfits, outlaws and adventurers working as guns-for-hire. 

Handpick your personal roster of Freegunners and team up with friends and fellow mercenaries online to take on rival crews across spectacular worlds in the Wilds of space in a range of objective and respawn-based modes.

Concord is a bringing together of peoples. It’s the power of games to build connection and inspire social play.

*Below is an internal email from Hermen Hulst, CEO, Studio Business Group, Sony Interactive Entertainment distributed today to SIE employees.  

********************************************************************************** 

Dear Team, 

Today, I want to share some important updates from Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Studio Business Group. 

We consistently evaluate our games portfolio and status of our projects to ensure we are meeting near and long-term business priorities. As part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen SIE’s Studio Business, we have had to make a difficult decision relating to two of our studios – Neon Koi and Firewalk Studios.  

Expanding beyond PlayStation devices and crafting engaging online experiences alongside our single-player games are key focal areas for us as we evolve our revenue streams.  We need to be strategic, though, in bringing our games to new platforms and recognize when our games fall short of meeting player expectations.   

While mobile remains a priority growth area for the Studio Business, we are in the very early stage of our mobile efforts.  To achieve success in this area we need to concentrate on titles that are in-line with PlayStation Studios’ pedigree and have the potential to reach more players globally.  

With this re-focused approach, Neon Koi will close, and its mobile action game will not be moving forward. I want to express my gratitude to everyone at Neon Koi for their hard work and endless passion to innovate.   

Regarding Firewalk, as announced in early September, certain aspects of Concord were exceptional, but others did not land with enough players, and as a result we took the game offline.  We have spent considerable time these past few months exploring all our options.   

After much thought, we have determined the best path forward is to permanently sunset the game and close the studio.   I want to thank all of Firewalk for their craftsmanship, creative spirit and dedication.  

The PvP first person shooter genre is a competitive space that’s continuously evolving, and unfortunately, we did not hit our targets with this title. We will take the lessons learned from Concord and continue to advance our live service capabilities to deliver future growth in this area.   

I know none of this is easy news to hear, particularly with colleagues and friends departing SIE.  Both decisions were given serious thought, and ultimately, we feel they are the right ones to strengthen the organization.  Neon Koi and Firewalk were home to many talented individuals, and we will work to find placement for some of those impacted within our global community of studios where possible. 

I am a big believer in the benefits of embracing creative experimentation and developing new IP. However, growing through sustainable financials, especially in a challenged economic environment is critical.   

While today is a difficult day, there is much to look forward to in the months ahead from the Studio Business Group and our teams.  I remain confident that we are building a resilient and capable organization driven by creating unforgettable entertainment experiences for our players.   

Thank you for your continued support.

The Firewalk Studios team is driven by the type of exciting, unexpected moments and shared experiences that multiplayer games create.

Every time you log on is the beginning of a new adventure and every match is an opportunity for a new story.

It’s these ideals that define Concord, its unique universe of vibrant worlds, and its rich cast of colorful characters.

Key Features:

  • PUT TOGETHER YOUR CREW: From powerful mystics and towering robots to skilled gunslingers and helpful healers, each Freegunner of the Northstar crew brings their own unique skills, personality, and abilities that cater to a wide-range of playstyles. Create your own custom squads of Freegunners to bring an arsenal of different role types to the match or focus on your favorite characters to master their gameplay and unlock unique modifiers, cosmetics, background lore, and more – you decide when to play your characters and how you impact the match.
  • ADVENTURE EVERY MATCH: Each match is a new adventure as you team up with friends online and take on rival Freegunner crews to complete high-stakes jobs across the Concord galaxy in online PVP modes. As you play, complete daily and weekly challenges from the Job Board to earn progression, unlock new items for your Freegunners, and learn more about the characters, worlds, and factions in the Concord Galaxy with the Galactic Guide. Win or lose, every match offers rewarding progression.
  • MODES FOR EVERY MOOD: With an array of objective and respawn-based modes with emphasis on teamplay, Concord has six different PVP modes that let you determine the level of challenge you are looking for – whether to unwind with a few matches or team up with friends for a more competitive experience.
  • NORTHSTAR CREW STORIES: As your journey in Concord unfolds, so will the stories of the Northstar crew. Each week, you will be greeted by new cinematic vignettes that premiere in-game that deliver ongoing narratives that expand upon the characters and their adventures.
  • AN EXPANDING UNIVERSE: The crew of the Northstar and the galaxy of Concord will grow through regular post-launch updates that introduce new Freegunners, game modes, maps and worlds, and weekly cinematic vignettes for no additional cost.
  • BUILT FOR PS5 AND PC: Concord features seamless cross-play and cross-progression between PS5 consoles and PC, allowing you to team up with friends, enjoy all of your progress and unlocked content, and access PlayStation features – like Trophies and your PlayStation Friends list – regardless of what platform you play on. An account for PlayStation Network is required to play Concord.

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