Sony announced today that Concord will not be returning as it has spent the past few months exploring its options. Eventually the company announced that the game was shutting down and would not be coming back.
Following this decision, Sony also announced that Firewalk Studios, the developer behind Concord, would be shutting down. Due to this, Mobile Studio Neon Koi will also be closed.
Both of these announcements were made by Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Herman Hulst on their official website and can be read in full here.
Mr. Hulst released the following statement:
“We know that none of this news is easy to hear, especially for colleagues and friends who are leaving SIE.” We have a lot of talent at Neon Koui and Firewalk, and we strive to place some of our influences in the studio’s global community wherever possible. I’ll go.
I’m a strong believer in the benefits of embracing creative experimentation and developing new IP. However, especially in a difficult economic environment, it is important to grow through sustainable finance.
Although today is a difficult day, there is much that Studio Business Group and our team are looking forward to in the coming months. We believe we are building a resilient and capable organization, driven by creating unforgettable entertainment experiences for our players. ”
Firewalk Studios released a final statement on their official Twitter page, saying that after a journey from being an independent studio to being acquired by PlayStation, they will be moving full steam ahead into full-scale production on Concord in 2022. You can read the full message here.
Firewalk approves one last time.
Firewalk started with the idea of bringing the fun of multiplayer to a wider audience. Along the way, we’ve assembled a great team that can:
– Navigating how to grow a new startup into a team during a global pandemic: Firewalk is…
— Firewalk (@FirewalkStudios) October 29, 2024
“We took some risks along the way, such as blending elements of card battles and fighting games with first-person shooters. Although these and other elements of the IP didn’t quite pan out as we expected, The idea of bringing in new things is essential for the world to move this medium forward.
Firewalk’s level of talent and individual skill is truly world class, and teams within Sony Interactive Entertainment and across the industry will be fortunate to work with them. For inquiries, please contact PlayStation Recruiting. We would like to thank all the teams, partners, and fans who have supported us thus far.
See you at Tempest. – Firewalk Studios,” Firewalk said in its final post on Twitter.
