Sony has announced that they have shut down Firewalk Studios, the developers behind Concord. Further, Concord has come to a permanent end will not return in any way, shape, or form. Sony has also shut down Neon Koi, who were previously working on a mobile action game.
Over the last few months, several major companies have laid off hundreds, if not thousands, of workers from across their entire gaming division. Examples include Microsoft, Bungie, Embracer Group, Behaviour Interactive, Riot Games, Sega, Sony, EA, and more. It also includes Take-Two, Square Enix, and Ouka Studios. The amount of layoffs across the industry will likely increase as the year comes to an end.
The full statement from Herman Hulst says the following:
An Update From PlayStation Studios
“Regarding Firewalk, as announced in early September (An Important Update on Concord), certain aspects of Concord were exceptional, but others did not land with enough players, and as a result we took the game offline. We have spent considerable time these past few months exploring all our options.
After much thought, we have determined the best path forward is to permanently sunset the game and close the studio. I want to thank all of Firewalk for their craftsmanship, creative spirit and dedication.
The PvP first person shooter genre is a competitive space that’s continuously evolving, and unfortunately, we did not hit our targets with this title. We will take the lessons learned from Concord and continue to advance our live service capabilities to deliver future growth in this area.
I know none of this is easy news to hear, particularly with colleagues and friends departing SIE. Both decisions were given serious thought, and ultimately, we feel they are the right ones to strengthen the organization. Neon Koi and Firewalk were home to many talented individuals, and we will work to find placement for some of those impacted within our global community of studios where possible.
I am a big believer in the benefits of embracing creative experimentation and developing new IP. However, growing through sustainable financials, especially in a challenged economic environment is critical.
While today is a difficult day, there is much to look forward to in the months ahead from the Studio Business Group and our teams. I remain confident that we are building a resilient and capable organization driven by creating unforgettable entertainment experiences for our players. ”
