Sony Admits: Earlier User Testing for Concord Was Essential

Sony has come to terms with the disappointing launch of its live service game Concord, which faced abysmal player engagement and was taken offline just two weeks post-launch. In a financial discussion, Sony's leadership acknowledged the need for earlier user testing and internal evaluations to prevent future failures. The costly investment in Concord, estimated at $200 million, failed to yield the expected audience, resulting in only about 25,000 copies sold. The company is now focusing on sharing lessons from their both successful and unsuccessful launches, like Helldivers 2, and aims to refine its strategy for future live service games by harmonizing development and sales processes.

The failure of Concord can be attributed to poorly timed release strategies, lack of early user testing, and enter competition in the live service shooter market. Sony recognized these oversights and is adjusting its approach for future titles to avoid repeating the same mistakes.

Concord was developed by Firewalk Studios, a subsidiary of ProbablyMonsters, and aimed to be a groundbreaking hero shooter in a crowded genre. Unfortunately, its lackluster reception marks it as one of PlayStation's most significant flops, overshadowing other successful launches like Helldivers 2, which recently set sales records.