Concord Is Closing Down, with Refunds on the Way

The hero-shooter game Concord, a PS5 console exclusive, is set to close its servers on September 6. Despite its initial reveal in May, the game struggled to capture player interest. Critics were quick to point out that Concord felt like another addition to the oversaturated hero-shooter genre, and its art style drew unfavorable comparisons to Guardians of the Galaxy.

Interest in Concord remained lukewarm after its announcement. Although the beta test was initially exclusive to pre-orders, it was later opened to all PS Plus subscribers. Unfortunately, the beta's lukewarm reception carried over into the full release, which saw underwhelming sales. With fewer than 700 players at its peak on Steam and an estimated total of 25,000 copies sold across PC and PS5, Concord failed to make a significant impact.

As the player base dwindles, Concord will be taken offline starting September 6. Sales of the game have already been halted, and players who purchased it for PS5 or PC will receive a full refund. Refunds for purchases made via the PlayStation Store or PlayStation Direct will be processed to the original payment method, while Steam and Epic Games Store refunds should be automatic. Those who bought physical copies will need to return them to their retailers for a refund. Once the refunds are processed, access to Concord will be terminated.

Concord's Future: Potential for a Comeback

This shutdown doesn’t necessarily spell the end for Concord. The developers have acknowledged that the game's launch did not meet expectations and have hinted at exploring new options to better engage players. There is speculation that Concord might be re-released as a free-to-play title in the future, though this has not been confirmed. It remains to be seen whether PlayStation will decide to cut its losses or attempt to revive the game.

If Concord does return, it will be interesting to see if the developers address the criticisms that have been raised. Many players were dissatisfied with the $40 price tag and the character designs, suggesting that significant changes in these areas could attract more interest, especially if combined with a free-to-play model.

Adding to the complexity, there are plans to expand Concord's universe through a non-gaming format. The upcoming animated anthology series Secret Level, set to premiere on December 10, features an episode based on Concord. If the game is not revived by then, it will be intriguing to see how this episode fits into the broader picture.