Concord
News, coverage and analysis tracking Concord across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Stop Killing Games suffers setback following European Parliamentary hearing - but all is not lost
The European Commission has decided not to propose new legislation for online game preservation, stating that existing EU copyright and consumer laws provide sufficient safeguards. This ruling is a setback for the Stop Killing Games movement, which had petitioned for a legal framework to prevent games from becoming unplayable when online services are shut down. While the Commission will encourage an industry code of conduct and greater transparency, it will not mandate game companies to keep titles playable indefinitely.
What the heck are you playing at, games industry?
The article criticizes the recent surge in video game studio closures and layoffs, highlighting numerous studios shut down by major publishers like Ubisoft, EA, Embracer, Sony, and Microsoft. It questions the business strategies of these publishers, particularly Microsoft's handling of Ninja Theory and the high development cost of Xbox exclusives like Gears of War E-Day, while also pointing to the industry's pursuit of live services and infinite growth over sustainable development.
New Report Shows PlayStation First-Party Game Sales Declining, But What’s The Full Story>
A report analyzing Sony's first-party game sales reveals a significant decline from FY20 to FY25, dropping from 58.4 million to 32.1 million units. While the number of releases has fluctuated, the analysis suggests the core issue is an increasing reliance on a few blockbuster franchises like God of War and Spider-Man, with fewer new titles emerging to fill the gap.
PlayStation first-party game sales show a decline since 2020
Sony's first-party PlayStation game sales have seen a consistent decline since 2020, dropping from 58.4 million units in FY2020 to 28.9 million in FY2024, with a slight increase to 32.1 million in FY2025. This trend coincides with the launch of the PlayStation 5 and the performance of titles like The Last of Us Part II and Ghost of Tsushima, while more recent releases like Astro Bot and Concord have had mixed results. Hardware sales for the PlayStation 5 have also decreased year-on-year.
PlayStation first-party sales see modest rebound after half-decade decline
PlayStation first-party game sales saw a modest increase to 32.1 million copies in FY2025, the first upturn in five years, following a significant decline since a peak in 2020-2021. This growth is attributed partly to the release of Ghost of Yōtei, while the overall decline was linked to inconsistent studio output and lengthy development cycles. Sony has also reportedly scaled back on releasing PS5 exclusives for PC, fearing it could damage the console's brand.
PlayStation First-Party Game Sales Fell to 32 Million Copies in FY 2025
Sony's first-party PlayStation game sales have declined significantly, reaching 32.1 million copies in FY 2025, down from 58.4 million in FY 2020. This trend, despite critically acclaimed releases like Astro Bot, may be influenced by the end of pandemic-driven sales boosts and a shift away from PC releases for single-player titles. Sony is also facing increased development costs and has scaled back live-service ambitions, potentially needing to focus on releasing more games to reverse the sales downturn.
Sony delists PS5 exclusive as another live service game bites the dust
Sony has shut down the multiplayer servers and delisted Destruction AllStars from the PlayStation Store due to ongoing technical issues and low player count. While single-player modes will remain accessible until November 25, the game's live service component is effectively over. Developer Lucid Games, now owned by Tencent subsidiary LightSpeed Studios, is reportedly working on a new cyberpunk game called Last Sentinel.
Report: Bungie planning "significant" layoffs as Destiny 2 development ends
Sony-owned developer Bungie is reportedly planning significant layoffs as it ends development on the live-service shooter Destiny 2. The studio has no immediate plans for Destiny 3, and other internal pitches have not been greenlit. This follows underperformance of recent titles and a shift in Sony's strategy away from live-service games.
Killing Marathon would be self-sabotage for Sony
Despite financial losses and player count concerns, Sony should not abandon Bungie's Marathon, as it is a critically acclaimed title that contrasts with the failure of Concord. The game's positive reception and community engagement demonstrate its potential value as a flagship first-party title for PlayStation's ecosystem.
Is Bungie Sony's Worst Ever Acquisition After $765 Million Write-Down?
Sony has reported a $765 million impairment loss on its acquisition of Bungie, significantly devaluing the developer since its $3.6 billion purchase in 2022. This write-down, partly due to the underperformance of games like Marathon and Destiny 2's declining player base, raises questions about whether Bungie is Sony's worst acquisition. The article also touches on Sony's broader struggles with live service games and other studio acquisitions.
Live Service Game The Cube, Save Us Dies After Just Three Weeks | HappyGamer
The live service game 'The Cube, Save Us' has shut down after only three weeks, highlighting the rapid failures within the genre. This extraction/battle royale hybrid joins other titles like Concord and Highguard in a trend of short-lived online experiences. The article reflects on the saturation of the battle royale market and the challenges live service games face in building sustainable player bases and communities.
PS5 Live Service Fairgames Reportedly Roasted in Recent Pre-Alpha
Haven Studios' live service game Fairgames has reportedly received overwhelmingly negative feedback during a recent pre-alpha test. Players criticized aspects like movement and the class system, with some sources describing the game as boring. The visual style has also been toned down to be grittier. Given Sony's scrutiny of live service titles, Fairgames faces an uphill battle for success.
New Gran Turismo 7 update is the live service success Sony keeps ignoring
Gran Turismo 7 is presented as a successful live service model for Sony, despite not being officially branded as such. The game continues to receive frequent updates with new cars and events, contributing to significant sales figures on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, and generating revenue through microtransactions. This success is contrasted with Sony's broader struggles in launching its own live service titles, suggesting a need for the company to learn from its existing successful games rather than forcing the model onto other franchises.
'It's really hard to succeed every time' says PUBG director on failure of games like Concord and…
PUBG: Battlegrounds director Taeseok Jang acknowledges the difficulty of achieving success with live-service games, citing recent failures like Concord and Highguard. He views these setbacks as valuable learning opportunities for developers to avoid repeating mistakes. Despite Jang's perspective, PUBG Corporation itself experienced a short-lived live-service title with PUBG: Blindspot.
Former PlayStation Exec Shuhei Yoshida Says He Was Fired After Top Boss Asked Him To Do "Ridiculous Things"
Former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida revealed he was removed from his role leading Worldwide Studios in 2019 because he refused to comply with directives from then-top boss Jim Ryan. Yoshida stated Ryan asked him to do "ridiculous things," which he declined, leading to his reassignment to support independent creators. This departure occurred before Yoshida's eventual retirement from PlayStation in 2025.
Sony's MIA Live-Service Game Is Going In The Exact Direction You'd Expect
New details have emerged regarding Sony's upcoming live-service game, Fairgame$, including its 'Cargo Heist' game mode and free-to-play business model with microtransactions. The game, which focuses on players acting as modern-day Robin Hoods against billionaires, has seen several key developers depart its studio, Haven. Sony has faced challenges with its live-service strategy, with cancellations and failures like Concord following initial investments, though Helldivers 2 achieved significant success.
Marathon is a good game, former FPS pro Shroud says, "the problem right now is it's too hard"
Former FPS pro Shroud believes Bungie's Marathon is a good game but is currently too difficult, hindering player retention and first impressions. He suggests that while the high barrier to entry might be a positive in the long run as content is added, the game needs a better onboarding process to help new players get into it.
Snabbkollen – Spelar du något live-service-spel?
This article discusses the live service game model, where companies like Epic Games aim for long-term revenue through free-to-play or initial purchase games. Examples of successful titles include Helldivers 2 and Sea of Thieves, while others like Marvel's Avengers have failed. The piece questions players about their current or past engagement with live service games.
Former Escape From Tarkov dev says "no amount of millions of dollars can save a weak product"
Dmitri Ogorodnikov, co-head of Nomion Games and former developer at Battlestate Games, emphasizes that a game's quality is paramount, stating that marketing cannot save a weak product. He highlights the challenges in the current shooter market, citing examples like Concord and Highguard, and outlines Nomion's strategy for their upcoming game, Rush is Real, to focus on gameplay quality and unique ideas rather than market trends.
PUBG Dev On Highguard And Concord Struggles: It's "Really Hard To Succeed Every Time"
PUBG franchise director Taeseok Jang reflected on the challenges of live-service games, citing the failures of Concord and Highguard as learning experiences. He emphasized the importance of rapid prototyping and community feedback, drawing lessons from PUBG: Blindspot's short early-access period. PUBG Studios plans to expand the PUBG franchise by adding new modes, including a Payday collaboration with Starbreeze, and exploring user-generated content.
