Sony is shortening the suffering of its game-service, ok but it’s the fault

After being the laughing stock of Internet users on social networks, due to its low number of people playing it on Steam (a peak of 697 players at its launch), Concord will finally be completed by its publisher, Sony Interactive Entertainment. In a message posted by the Japanese manufacturer on its blogwe learn that the game’s servers will be shut down on September 6, in a few days and only 15 days after its launch. The comments on the post have been locked, which means that Sony is anticipating the debacle and additional mockery that may rain down following this drastic decision. We can’t blame the Japanese manufacturer for letting its game die, even if we imagine the harm that this must do to the development team at Firewalk Studios.

“While many qualities of this experience resonated with players, we must also acknowledge that other aspects, as well as our launch, did not have the reception we desired. That is why we have decided to shut down the servers as of September 6 and explore other options to better connect with our players.”

Should we see a later return with a new free-to-play type formula? Nothing is impossible, but the fact remains that Concord is one of Sony’s biggest flops, which nevertheless invested more than $200 million in the project, knowing in addition that the studio devoted 8 years of development (yes, as much as Red Dead Redemption 2). It must be said that the communication around the title was rather timid, late too, especially since the game was released between two video game behemoths: Black Myth Wukong and Star Wars Outlaws. A frankly not great timing, without forgetting that service games are slowly but surely running out of steam (we also remember the commercial flop of Suicide Squad Kill the Justice League). Helldivers is certainly a counter-example, but it must also be said that Sony Interactive Entertainment was much smarter on the marketing campaign too. Aware of the harm caused by such a rapid and radical closure, Sony Interactive Entertainment has decided to refund all purchases made on PC and PS5.