A commemorative plaque celebrating the launch of Sony's ill-fated shooter Concord is attracting significant interest at a Goodwill online auction, currently bidding above $3,000. This plaque was given to Chelsea Grace, noted for her role in co-development. Concord, launched on August 23, 2024, quickly fell into the annals of gaming failures, boasting drastically low player attendance, leading to its deactivation just weeks post-launch. Despite a review score of 7 for its engaging gameplay and character diversity, it only managed to sell around 25,000 copies. Although Concord had a development budget estimated at $200 million, this was insufficient to cover all costs associated with its ambitious project. The auction is not only of interest to collectors but also supports Goodwill’s mission of aiding individuals in career development.

Why did Concord fail so quickly after launch?

Concord failed due to a combination of factors including low player engagement, lack of content, and competition in the hero shooter market. After its release, the game was unable to attract a sufficient player base, resulting in Sony pulling it offline within two weeks.

For context, Concord was a live service hero shooter developed by Firewalk Studios, a division of Sony. The game was expected to compete in a saturated market featuring established titles with a strong player base. Unfortunately, it has become emblematic of the challenges facing multiplayer shooters today, especially when they fail to deliver unique experiences or retain player interest. Despite its promising mechanics, Concord's execution did not resonate with gamers, leading to its rapid demise.