Sony has made headlines with a significant development in the PlayStation world. The company has decided to shut down Firewalk Studios, the studio behind the Concord game, and mobile game studio Neon Koi. This decision was taken due to both studios’ misalignment with Sony’s future strategic goals.
Despite being released on PlayStation 5 and PC platforms on August 23, sales figures for Concord were significantly below expectations. Initial estimates put total sales under 25,000, while the highest number of players on Steam was recorded at only 697. This poor performance is far below what is acceptable for a giant company like Sony.
Ongoing Work on Concord’s Future
Hermen Hulst, the head of Sony’s PlayStation studios, stated in a message to employees that the decision to close was the result of a long-term evaluation process. Hulst mentioned that the process had its challenges and that all options for Concord’s future are still on the table. There are ongoing studies on the possibility of the game returning in a free-to-play format.
Operations Ended at Firewalk Studios and Neon Koi
The closure of Firewalk Studios and Neon Koi is seen as part of the company’s refocusing strategies. Hulst emphasized the importance of the mobile gaming sector for Sony but stated that these decisions align with new strategic goals.
Sony is considering offering alternative positions to some developers from both studios. However, employees who cannot find work may have to start looking for new jobs, like thousands of others who have been laid off in the gaming industry in recent years.
Firewalk is signing off one last time.
— Firewalk (@FirewalkStudios) October 29, 2024
Firewalk began with the idea of bringing the joy of multiplayer to a larger audience. Along the way we assembled an incredible team who were able to:
– Navigate growing a new startup into a team during a global pandemic: Firewalk was…
Sony’s significant decisions are seen as an indicator that the company aims to be more effective and successful in future projects. The future of Concord is eagerly awaited by users. What do you think about Sony’s strategic decisions? Feel free to share your thoughts with us.