Editor 
As the virtual sun sets on Concord, a beleaguered first-person hero shooter from PlayStation Studios, its dedicated players find themselves grappling with an extraordinary task. Before the game servers extinguish on September 6, a feverish rush to secure the coveted Platinum trophy is in full swing. The endgame activities have taken a bizarre, almost dystopian turn: players are jumping off in-game cliffs in a desperate grind to maximize their experience points quickly.
A Frenzied Race Against Time
The impending shutdown was announced amidst a swirl of disappointment and frustration within the gaming community. Once envisioned as a flagship title for Firewalk Studios, Concord had a tumultuous journey marred by low sales and a dwindling player base. The writing was on the wall and Sony Interactive Entertainment’s decision to pull the plug seemed like the inevitable conclusion. But what’s truly fascinating is the bizarre reaction from the player community.
The game’s Rivalry mode, a competitive feature intended to sustain player engagement, has inadvertently become a shortcut for rapid XP accumulation. Instead of playing the game as designed, savvy players discovered that repeatedly jumping off cliffs and thus intentionally losing matches yield quicker experience points. This unconventional tactic, while controversial, underscores the lengths to which players will go to achieve the almighty Platinum trophy.
The Fallout of Poor Sales and Player Exodus
But why did Concord fail so spectacularly? Several factors might be at play here. Firewalk Studios bet heavily on the game’s live service model, which has been a double-edged sword in the gaming industry. Initially, the idea of continuously updating a game with fresh content and maintaining an engaged player base seemed like a golden ticket. However, the reality was a series of half-baked updates, buggy releases, and unmet expectations.
Additionally, the competitive landscape of first-person shooters is cutthroat, to say the least. Titles like Apex Legends, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Fortnite dominate this space with their polished mechanics, vast budgets, and established player communities. Concord, despite having a unique premise and hero designs, simply couldn’t carve out a sustainable niche amid these juggernauts.
Sony’s Gamble on Live-Service Games
The failure of Concord raises critical questions about Sony’s broader strategy in the live-service domain. Traditionally, Sony’s strength has been in story-driven single-player masterpieces like God of War, The Last of Us, and Horizon Zero Dawn. The shift to live service games seems like an attempt to diversify and keep up with evolving player expectations, but it also reveals the substantial risks involved.
For Firewalk Studios, the shutdown casts a shadow over their future. Concord was their debut title, and its short lifespan could impact investor confidence and future projects. Yet, as the tech industry often shows, a failure isn’t always the end. Lessons learned here could be invaluable for their next venture, assuming they’re given another shot.
The Platinum Trophy: As Rare as a Unicorn?
As the game’s final chapter closes, the coveted Platinum trophy from Concord might soon become one of the rarest in PlayStation history. Trophy collectors, driven by a mix of prestige and passion, are racing against the clock to etch their names in this peculiar corner of gaming annals. Ironically, the game’s inglorious tactic of jumping off cliffs might be the key to this elite status.
The gaming community is no stranger to creating their own meta-games and strategies, and Concord’s last days will be remembered for this unintended ‘leap of faith.’
FAQs
Why is Concord shutting down?
Concord is shutting down due to a combination of low player counts and poor sales. Despite initial expectations, the game struggled to maintain an active player base and failed to meet financial benchmarks.
What is the Platinum trophy frenzy about?
Players are scrambling to obtain the Platinum trophy before the game shuts down. This effort involves exploiting the Rivalry mode by intentionally losing matches, thereby gaining experience points more quickly.
What does this mean for Firewalk Studios?
The game’s failure raises concerns about Firewalk Studios’ future. As their debut title, Concord‘s shutdown could impact their prospects, although the experience might also serve as a valuable learning opportunity.
What implications does this have for Sony?
The shutdown of Concord highlights the risks of live-service games, a domain where Sony is still finding its footing. It raises questions about the company’s strategy and execution in this highly competitive space.
Could the Platinum trophy from Concord become valuable?
Given the game’s imminent shutdown, the Platinum trophy is likely to become one of the rarest on the PlayStation platform. Gaining it has now become a coveted achievement among trophy hunters.
As the curtain falls on Concord, its legacy will be one of lessons learned in a rapidly evolving industry. For now, though, the pressing task for those still playing is to jump—literally—and aim for that shimmering Platinum dream.
