Despite the recent failure of Concord, Sony continues to believe in the potential of live service games. Concord, developed by Firewalk, was one of Sony's highly anticipated PS5 titles, but it lost a significant number of players within just two weeks of its launch, leading to its indefinite shutdown on September 6, 2024.
A Turbulent Week for Sony
The demise of Concord occurred in the same week as the successful reception of Astro Bot, highlighting the mixed emotions within Sony. However, this setback has not deterred the company from its live service strategy.
Fairgame$ - A New Hope
Sony is now pinning its hopes on Fairgame$, a new game from the studio Haven, led by industry veteran Jade Raymond. According to industry sources, Fairgame$ is generating positive internal feedback within Sony.
"Feedback about Fairgame$ has been positive. Although some people were skeptical after the trailer, internal discussions suggest the game's evolving world could keep players engaged for years," noted a journalist from GamesIndustry during the GI Microcast podcast.
The Future of Live Services
The failure of Concord raises questions about how Fairgame$ can regain player trust. Despite the challenges, Sony remains optimistic about the live service model. The success of Fairgame$ will be crucial in determining the future of this strategy.
In summary, Sony's confidence in live services remains unwavering, even after the failure of Concord. With Fairgame$ on the horizon, the company is hopeful that this new title will restore faith in their live service approach.
