Sony has announced that it is removing the online shooter Concord from sale just two weeks after its release. The multiplayer game, which launched exclusively for PlayStation 5 and PC on August 23, has struggled to attract a significant player base.

In a blog post, Firewalk Studios' game director Ryan Ellis revealed that Concord will be taken offline starting September 6. Players who purchased the £40 game will receive a full refund while the team assesses the best way forward for a potential return.

Concord, a hero shooter akin to titles like Overwatch and Valorant, features teams of characters with unique abilities competing in various game modes, including deathmatches and objective-based challenges. Despite its eight-year development and Sony's push to capture the multiplayer market, the game received mixed reviews. Critics praised its graphics and gameplay but noted its lack of innovation in the genre.


According to SteamDB, which tracks PC game player numbers, Concord’s peak concurrent users reached just 660, in stark contrast to the more than 1 million players consistently seen in top games like Counter-Strike 2 since August 2022.

Ryan Ellis acknowledged that while some aspects of the game resonated with players, others fell short of expectations. He expressed gratitude to the community and stated that taking the game offline will allow the team to "explore options, including those that will better reach our players."

Sony’s investment in live-service games, which require regular updates to maintain player interest, has seen varied success. Earlier this year, the release of Helldivers 2 on PlayStation 5 and PC proved to be a major hit, selling over 12 million copies. However, the lukewarm reception to Concord, despite a detailed reveal at May’s State of Play, highlighted the challenges of breaking into the competitive live-service market. Similarly, Warner Bros’ Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League also struggled to attract a large player base despite its high-profile launch.