Sony has officially shut down Concord, just two weeks after the competitive team shooter’s launch, and is closing its developer, Firewalk Studios. Poor sales led to the removal of Concord’s servers, and while Firewalk’s game director Ryan Ellis had transitioned to a supportive role amid the game’s struggles, Sony has now decided to permanently sunset the project.
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“After much thought, we have determined the best path forward is to permanently sunset the game and close the studio,” stated Hermen Hulst from Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Studio Business Group. “I want to thank all of Firewalk for their craftsmanship, creative spirit, and dedication.” A Sony representative confirmed that Firewalk’s 172 employees will be laid off.
Concord’s long development timeline may have been a disadvantage, as the market for team-based shooters had grown increasingly competitive, with many successful titles adopting free-to-play models and monetizing through battle passes and seasonal updates. Concord’s $40 price point may have dissuaded players from engaging with a new, untested title in an already crowded genre.
This closure highlights the challenging environment for game developers, especially as high-profile closures and layoffs become more common. Firewalk Studios’ fate is not isolated; the industry has seen numerous shake-ups, with frequent closures and workforce reductions impacting teams even at prominent companies. Recent examples include Netflix shutting down its AAA studio before it released any games and Microsoft’s closure of three Zenimax studios earlier this year.
As fewer major players control an increasing share of the gaming industry, the space for experimental titles and modestly successful projects is shrinking. The trend toward larger publishers prioritizing high-profit, low-risk ventures means that layoffs and sudden studio closures may become even more frequent.
