Sony Bombshell: 'Concord' Flop Maintains Steam Updates

Despite its swift demise weeks after launch, Sony's ill-fated hero shooter, Concord, continues to receive updates on Steam, sparking considerable speculation among gamers. This article delves into these mysterious updates and explores the possibilities they suggest.

Concord's SteamDB Update Mystery: Speculation Runs Wild

Free-to-Play Relaunch? Gameplay Overhaul? Theories Abound

Remember Concord? The hero shooter that fizzled out faster than a damp squib? While officially unavailable since September 6th, its Steam page shows a surprising number of updates.

Since September 29th, SteamDB logs reveal over 20 updates, attributed to accounts like "pmtest," "sonyqae," and "sonyqae_shipping." These account names hint at behind-the-scenes work, possibly focused on backend fixes and improvements, with "QAE" likely referring to "Quality Assurance Engineer."

Concord's August launch was ambitious, demanding a $40 price tag in a market dominated by free-to-play giants like Overwatch, Valorant, and Apex Legends. The result? A catastrophic failure. Within two weeks, Sony pulled the plug, issuing refunds. Low player numbers and minimal interest sealed its fate, earning it widespread "dead on arrival" pronouncements.

So, why the continued updates for a game deemed a complete flop? Ryan Ellis, the then-Game Director at Firewalk Studios, hinted at exploring options to better reach players in the shutdown announcement. This, combined with the ongoing updates, fuels speculation of a potential comeback, possibly as a free-to-play title. Removing the price barrier could address a key criticism of the original release.

Sony's substantial investment – reportedly up to $400 million – makes attempts to salvage the project understandable. The updates suggest Firewalk Studios might be using this time to revamp the game, adding features and addressing earlier criticisms, such as underwhelming characters and uninspired gameplay.

However, this remains purely speculation. Sony has remained silent on Concord's future. Will it return with refined mechanics, broader appeal, or a new monetization model? Only Firewalk Studios and Sony possess the answer. Even a free-to-play relaunch faces an uphill battle in a saturated market.

For now, Concord remains unavailable, and official announcements are absent. Whether it rises from the ashes remains to be seen. Time will reveal if these speculations hold any truth.