Goodbye Concord, We Hardly Knew Ya

We all knew where this live-service shenanigans was going to go with Sony. With the exception of Helldivers 2 which started off well and then dived. The latest casualty? Concord. After just two weeks out there. This game is finished. Sony have decided to refund everyone and for that small minority that bought a physical copy. I imagine your all running to CEX right now to get rid of it.

This is not just a stumble, it’s a catastrophe that has major implications on the good record that Sony is known for. Sure, many of the diehards will sweep it under the carpet but we have to accept that this live-service crap is not working across the industry. Forcing it on people to capitalize on increasing your profit is just a lousy way of doing business. I am obviously talking about chasing the Fortnite gravy-train.

In this industry, as it gotten so bad that Sony has forgotten what has made it the successful gaming corporation it is today? Obviously, when the bigwigs were signing off on this. The money trees were just lighting up. But there was always going to be a knock back on all of this. It’s also happening at WB Games where Rocksteady have suffered with layoffs. It’s obviously a game of risk in any situation of business. But this one has clearly not paid off.

So where does Sony go from here? Well, it’ll be damage control now. But eventually, this will blow over and they’ll get back on track refocusing on what they’re best known for. We already know, that they’re trying to turn this ship around with what is coming in 2025. But also, there is a real consideration that has to be made as well. I think we’re going to see AA gaming make a comeback. Not everything has to be AAA, and ultimately, the cost of games is increasing for Sony because of the way they make their games.

The big thing that will reduce costs will be AI. But that again, it’s something that’s going to effect every voice actor or writer out there. Publishers are going to try every way possible to offset their costs of producing the games. If they cannot, then just wait till GTA VI hits when the ultimate game price increase comes just because Rockstar can.

Something along the line will have to give for Sony. Especially after putting so much resources into this. I mean they bought a whole company in Bungie for a over-priced amount to then just incorporate them further into the company. If that isn’t a sign that Sony knows it’s messed up and paid over the odds and made some pretty bad decisions in the last few years. Then, I don’t know what is.

At the same time, though, there is no need to panic, businesses make and get decisions wrong all the time. I still think Sony has everything under control. Obviously, there will be questions asked on all those that signed off on this, but ultimately, 2025 looks like it could be a return to form and it’ll appease fans if they get what they want which is single-player games.