Concord Updates on Steam Spark Revival Speculation

Despite being removed from stores shortly after its debut, Concord continues to receive updates on Steam, fueling curiosity. Dive into the details of these updates and the theories they’ve sparked.

SteamDB Updates for Concord Stir Buzz

Could Concord Go Free-to-Play or See Gameplay Overhauls? Theories Abound

Concord, the hero-shooter that fizzled out at launch, hasn’t faded entirely. Though offline since September 6, its Steam page has seen consistent updates, surprising many.

Since September 29, SteamDB has logged over 20 updates for Concord, driven by accounts like "pmtest," "sonyqae," and "sonyqae_shipping." These account names suggest a focus on backend tweaks, with "QAE" likely referring to "Quality Assurance Engineer."

Launched in August with a $40 price tag, Concord aimed to compete in the hero-shooter arena against free-to-play giants like Overwatch, Valorant, and Apex Legends. Its debut flopped, leading Sony to pull it from sale within two weeks and issue refunds. With a tiny player base and poor ratings, the game seemed doomed.

So why is a failed title still being updated? Ryan Ellis, former Game Director at Firewalk Studios, hinted in the shutdown announcement that the team would explore ways to "better connect with players." This has led to speculation about a potential relaunch, possibly as a free-to-play title to eliminate the cost barrier that drew heavy criticism.

Sony’s reported $400 million investment in Concord suggests they’re not ready to abandon it. Current updates might indicate Firewalk Studios is refining the game, potentially enhancing features or addressing issues like lackluster characters and uninspired gameplay.

Sony and Firewalk Studios have shared no official plans, leaving the game’s future unclear. A relaunch with improved mechanics or a new monetization approach could be in the works, but breaking through in the crowded hero-shooter market remains a tall order.

Concord is currently unavailable for purchase, and Sony has yet to comment on its next steps. Whether it can recover from its rocky start remains to be seen.