Questions are being raised about Sony's ability to manage live-service games after recent developments involving Concord | Opinion
Two weeks after its release, Sony decided to withdraw the game Concord and issue refunds to buyers. This move, while unexpected, isn't entirely surprising due to the game's unfavorable reception at Sony's State of Play earlier in the year. Firewalk's hero shooter, which was meant to be backed by Sony, received minimal marketing support, signaling a lack of confidence in the project. The game, which originated at Firewalk Studios before Sony acquired the studio in 2023, seemed destined to fail in a competitive market where standout titles are necessary for survival.
Concord's inception wasn't under Sony's direct planning; the game came as part of the package when the company purchased Firewalk. Many employees at Firewalk, including key managerial staff, previously worked at Bungie, which Sony had acquired a year before Firewalk. The acquisition appeared to be more about acquiring talent and expertise rather than acquiring the unfinished game itself.
The critical decisions leading to Concord's lackluster performance likely occurred before Sony's acquisition. However, questions remain about Sony's handling of the game, as it was released with the PlayStation label, a brand known for its high-quality productions. Despite past missteps with titles like Knack and Days Gone, those games did not face the rapid shutdown and refund situation that has befallen Concord.
Sony's strategic shift toward live-service games began years ago, motivated by economic incentives and the success of competitors in this space. This shift led to significant investments, including the acquisition of Bungie and Firewalk. While Helldivers 2 emerged as a notable success in Sony's live-service efforts, it too faces challenges in maintaining long-term engagement.
Decisions that sealed Concord's fate were probably made before Sony bought the studio... And yet; there are absolutely some questions that flow uphill from this fiasco
Bungie's acquisition, intended to bring live-service expertise to Sony, has been fraught with difficulties, including significant staff layoffs. These challenges reflect broader issues in Sony's strategy as it grapples with the complexities of sustaining compelling live-service titles.
The current market environment is proving tough for the live-service model. Even popular games find it challenging to maintain player interest over time. Sony's well-established reputation for quality game development hasn't translated seamlessly into the live-service domain, which raises concerns about the effectiveness of their strategic pivot.
It's hard not to look at this and see Sony's expensive pivot into live service disintegrating in real time – and risking dragging down the reputation of PlayStation Studios in the process
The gaming landscape has shifted since Sony committed to live service, with consumers showing decreased enthusiasm for the genre. Despite the past success of live-service games, the model's risk:reward ratio is proving increasingly steep, risking Sony's established prestige.
Despite the setback with Concord, Sony's strengths in single-player, narrative-driven games remain robust, as demonstrated by the recent launch of Astro Bot, a traditional single-player game that taps into PlayStation's nostalgic appeal. This contrast may offer insights into where Sony's future successes might lie.
If Astro Bot achieves the commercial success that eluded Concord, perhaps there's a lesson there that will be hard to ignore
As the gaming industry contends with rising development costs and stagnant revenues, live-service games were seen as a potential solution. However, the difficulties faced by Sony and others highlight the challenges of this mode of game production. Sony may need to reconsider its strategy to find a balanced approach that serves both its longstanding strengths and the evolving market demands.
