Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) has officially closed Firewalk Studios and discontinued its troubled PvP shooter, Concord, just months after acquiring the developer. This decision comes after a disappointing launch that saw the game taken offline a mere two weeks after its release. Sony also announced the closure of mobile game developer Neon Koi in the same announcement, citing a need to “strengthen SIE’s Studio Business.”
Sony acquired Firewalk Studios in 2023 and Concord launched on PlayStation 5 and PC in August 2024. Despite considerable anticipation, the game failed to gain traction, peaking at only 697 concurrent players on PC according to SteamDB. Mediocre reviews and low player counts ultimately led to Sony pulling the plug just two weeks after launch.
In an email to employees, SIE CEO Hermen Hulst acknowledged that while Concord had positive aspects, it ultimately failed to meet expectations in the highly competitive first-person shooter market. Hulst emphasized that Sony will learn from this experience and apply those lessons to future projects. He expressed gratitude for Firewalk Studios’ dedication, craftsmanship, and creative spirit.
Two characters face off in Concord.Concord’s character designs and gameplay mechanics didn’t resonate with players as hoped.
Firewalk Studios released a statement on X (formerly Twitter), reflecting on their journey, including their growth from a small startup and the commencement of Concord‘s full production in 2022. They admitted the game’s reach was smaller than anticipated, particularly in a consolidated market. The studio also highlighted their willingness to take risks, combining elements of card battlers and fighting games with the FPS genre, acknowledging that while some innovations didn’t resonate as expected, pushing boundaries remains crucial for the medium’s advancement.
The closure also impacts Neon Koi (formerly Savage Game Studios), which was reportedly developing a AAA mobile live-service action game. Hulst explained that Sony is prioritizing games aligned with PlayStation Studios’ legacy and with the potential for a larger global audience. While Neon Koi was working on a mobile action title, this project will also be discontinued.
Firewalk's Twitter statement about the studio closure.Firewalk Studios’ final statement on X, acknowledging the closure and thanking their fans and supporters.
Sony intends to support affected employees in finding new roles within the company. Hulst acknowledged the difficulty of these closures and emphasized that the decisions were made after careful consideration to strengthen the overall organization.
Following Concord‘s rocky launch, Firewalk Studios game director Ryan Ellis reportedly stepped down, and the studio had reportedly begun pitching new projects. Despite these efforts, the game’s future remained uncertain until Sony’s final decision to sunset it.
In conclusion, the closure of Firewalk Studios and the sunsetting of Concord mark a setback for Sony in the competitive gaming market. While the company aims to learn from this experience, the closure underscores the challenges of developing successful games in a crowded market, even with the backing of a major publisher. The future of the Concord IP and the affected development teams remains to be seen.
