Firewalk Studios Pivots Concord Strategy Amidst Poor Sales

Firewalk Studios has announced that they will be taking their latest PlayStation title, Concord, offline on September 6th, 2024, citing poor sales performance and a need to explore alternative options that better serve their players. The first-person hero shooter, which launched exclusively on PS5 and PC on August 23rd, struggled to gain traction, with estimates suggesting it sold fewer than 25,000 units.

Unlocking a New Path for Concord's Future

Refunds and Reevaluation

Recognizing the game's underwhelming performance, Firewalk Studios has announced that they will be offering full refunds to all players who have purchased Concord on the PlayStation Store, Steam, and the Epic Games Store. This move suggests the studio is taking a proactive approach to addressing the situation and ensuring customer satisfaction."While we determine the best path ahead, Concord sales will cease immediately, and we will begin to offer a full refund for all gamers who have purchased the game for PS5 or PC," says Concord game director Ryan Ellis in a PlayStation blog post.

Exploring New Horizons

The studio's statement indicates that they are not giving up on Concord entirely, but rather exploring alternative options that may better resonate with their audience. The mention of "options, including those that will better reach our players," hints at the possibility of the game transitioning to a free-to-play model, a common strategy for competitive hero shooters like Overwatch and Valorant."We have decided to take the game offline beginning September 6, 2024, and explore options, including those that will better reach our players," Ellis explains.

Acknowledging Player Feedback

Firewalk Studios appears to be taking a customer-centric approach, acknowledging the importance of player feedback and the need to better align the game with their preferences. The studio's commitment to "keeping players updated" and thanking the "Freegunners who have joined us in the Concord galaxy" suggests a desire to maintain open communication and a strong connection with the game's community.

Lessons Learned and Future Outlook

Concord's struggles in the competitive hero shooter genre, particularly against free-to-play alternatives, serve as a cautionary tale for game developers. The decision to offer refunds and explore new avenues for the game's future indicates Firewalk Studios' willingness to adapt and learn from this experience.As the studio navigates the next steps for Concord, industry observers will be keeping a close eye on their strategy and the potential implications for the game's future. The ability to pivot and respond to market conditions will be crucial in determining whether Concord can find a path to success in the ever-evolving gaming landscape.