Despite its swift demise after launch, Concord, Sony's ill-fated hero shooter, continues to receive updates on Steam. This unexpected activity has sparked considerable speculation among gamers.

Concord's SteamDB Updates Fuel Speculation: Free-to-Play Resurgence?

Remember Concord? The hero shooter that fizzled out almost immediately? While officially unavailable since September 6th, its Steam page shows a surprising number of updates. SteamDB records over 20 updates since September 29th, attributed to accounts like "pmtest," "sonyqae," and "sonyqae_shipping," suggesting internal work, possibly focused on backend improvements and quality assurance.

Concord's August launch was a significant misstep. Priced at $40, it faced stiff competition from established free-to-play giants like Overwatch, Valorant, and Apex Legends. The result? A disastrous launch, minimal player base, and near-universal negative reviews. Sony pulled the plug within two weeks, offering refunds.

So, why the continued updates? Ryan Ellis, former Firewalk Studios Game Director, hinted at exploring options to better reach players in the shutdown announcement. This, coupled with the ongoing updates, fuels speculation of a potential free-to-play relaunch. Removing the initial price barrier could significantly broaden its appeal.

Sony's substantial investment—reportedly up to $400 million—suggests a desire to salvage the project. The updates could indicate Firewalk Studios is overhauling the game, adding features, and addressing criticisms of its characters and gameplay.

However, Sony remains silent on Concord's future. Will it return with improved mechanics, a revised monetization strategy, or a broader appeal? Only time will tell. Even a free-to-play model faces an uphill battle in the saturated hero shooter market.

For now, Concord remains unavailable, and its future remains uncertain. Whether it rises from the ashes remains to be seen.