Concord Developer Firewalk Studios is Being Shut Down

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I can’t help but feel a twinge of empathy for the teams at Firewalk Studios and Neon Koi. The gaming industry is notoriously unforgiving, and the closure of these studios serves as a stark reminder that even the mighty can fall if they don’t hit their targets.

Sony Interactive Entertainment has revealed plans to close down two of its in-house studios, namely Firewalk Studios and Neon Koi.

Last year in April, Firewalk Studios got acquired by PlayStation. Recently, in August of this year, the studio launched its initial game titled “Concord”. Unfortunately, this multiplayer first-person shooter didn’t receive a positive response and had poor sales. As a result, it was taken down from online platforms only two weeks after its release. Everyone who purchased the game was given a refund.

In an internal memo to staff, PlayStation’s co-CEO Hermen Hulst explained that while some parts of “Concord” were exceptional, other elements failed to appeal to enough players, causing the game to be taken offline. Over the last few months, the team has been diligently examining potential solutions for this issue.

Following careful consideration, we’ve decided that the optimal course of action is to permanently retire the game and shut down the studio. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone at Firewalk for their skill, creativity, and unwavering commitment.

In the ever-changing world of competitive first-person shooter games designed for player versus player (PvP), it’s unfortunate that our latest release didn’t meet its goals. We’ll apply the insights gained from our game, Concord, and keep improving our live service offerings to foster future growth in this genre.

In 2022, Neon Koi, previously known as Savage Game Studios’ project, was purchased by PlayStation. This acquisition was part of Sony’s broader strategy to delve deeper into mobile gaming. However, Hulst has revealed that mobile gaming will still be a priority for Sony, but they aim to approach it more strategically in the future. Consequently, Neon Koi and its associated mobile action game are now being closed down.

In an email, Hulst stated that moving beyond PlayStation devices, developing captivating online interactions alongside our solo games, and diversifying revenue streams are major priorities for us. However, we must approach this strategically when bringing our games to new platforms, acknowledging instances where they may not meet the expectations of players.

As a gamer, I’m excited about the focus on mobile gaming at our studio. We’re just getting started in this realm, so it’s a fresh and exciting challenge. To make waves in mobile gaming, we’ll be honing in on titles that align with PlayStation Studios’ legacy of quality and have the potential to captivate gamers worldwide.

We’re shifting direction now, which means Neon Koi studio will be closing, and unfortunately, the development of our mobile action game has been halted. I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks to every member of Neon Koi for their tireless efforts and unwavering dedication to innovation.

According to Hulst, certain employees from each of the two studios are set to receive job opportunities at various other PlayStation studios internally.

His email states: “Both choices were carefully considered, and we believe they are the best options for fortifying our organization.” He further clarifies that Neon Koi and Firewalk have nurtured many gifted individuals, and he aims to help place some of those affected within our worldwide network of studios wherever feasible.

I strongly advocate for the advantages of exploring creative innovation and generating fresh intellectual property. At the same time, it’s essential to foster growth through financially sound practices, particularly in times of economic hardship.

2024-10-29 21:41

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