Summary
- Concord merchandise is still available on the PlayStation Gear website, despite the game's massive failure.
- Interested buyers can choose from a limited selection of Concord-branded items, such as t-shirts and hoodies.
- Developer Firewalk Studios is exploring options to revive Concord, but it's uncertain if the hero shooter will ever return.
Although Concord has been rescinded en masse, PlayStation is still selling official merchandise themed around the notorious live-service title. Having lasted only two weeks on the market, Concord failed to find a footing in the crowded hero shooter space, and it appears that the game's lack of popularity extends to its merch as well.
Concord's scant sales figures and lukewarm critical reception at launch led to the game being withdrawn entirely by PlayStation, which was an unprecedented move for the company. Concord was taken offline on September 6 and refunds were issued to everyone who bought the game, making it one of the biggest commercial blunders in PlayStation history. Developer Firewalk Studios is apparently exploring different options to revive Concord, but hasn't made any promises about whether the game will return or be written off on the balance sheets.
Concord Fan Puts Refund to Good Use
An avid Concord fan puts his refund to good use and purchases a limited-edition item that ensures the hero shooter's short legacy continues.
While Concord has been wiped clean from players' libraries and every online storefront it was listed on, some of the final remnants of the ill-famed game lie in an unlikely place. A recent tweet from Wario64 shows that Concord merchandise is still available on the US version of the PlayStation Gear website. With only a beanie hat, mug, hoodie, and t-shirt, the Concord-branded selection is a bit limited and rather basic, so interested buyers won't have much in the way of choice. After Concord's spectacular flop, though, it's unlikely that people would be lining up in droves to buy the game's merch anyway.
Concord's Merch Has Outlived the Game Itself
Still, those considering picking up some Concord merch as a memento to its short-lived existence, or simply as one of the few genuine fans of the game, should consider holding off as PlayStation could offer discounts in the near future to clear remaining unsold stock. Fans can also look forward to the upcoming Secret Level episode dedicated to Concord, beyond which the IP's existence will hinge on whether PlayStation and Firewalk can figure out a financially viable way to resurrect the game.
Only time will tell if Concord will be brought back to life, with many remaining skeptical at the prospect.
The Future of Concord Looks Uncertain
Only time will tell if Concord will be brought back to life, with many remaining skeptical at the prospect. The most popular theory surrounding Concord's comeback is that Firewalk will pivot to a free-to-play model supported by microtransactions, very much in the same vein as established hero shooters like Overwatch 2 and Valorant. However, that will likely require a substantial amount of reworking under the hood and may affect Firewalk's initially-planned roadmap for Concord. The studio is in a very precarious position, but hopefully it can redeem itself in the future, with or without Concord.
Concord
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 64 /100 Critics Rec: 23%
- Released
- August 23, 2024
- ESRB
- t
- Developer(s)
- Firewalk Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer
WHERE TO PLAY
Assemble your crew of Freegunner space outlaws and team up online with friends for thrilling 5v5 PVP modes across the galaxy in Concord.
Concord is a new team-based first-person shooter for PS5® and PC*. Handpick your personal roster of Freegunners from the crew of the Northstar – a group of outlaws and adventurers working as guns-for-hire.
ASSEMBLE YOUR CREW
From powerful mystics to skilled gunslingers and helpful healers, each Freegunner brings their own unique skills, personality, and abilities that cater to a wide-range of playstyles.
Create your own custom squads of Freegunners with Crew Builder to bring an arsenal of different role types to the match or focus on your favourite characters to master their gameplay and unlock unique modifiers, cosmetics, background lore, and more – you decide when to play your characters and how you impact the match.
PLAY. PROGRESS. PERSONALIZE.
Earn and unlock a wide range of character customization items and learn more about the characters, worlds, and factions in the Concord Galaxy with the Galactic Guide.
You’ll also be able to progress toward and unlock Freegunner Variants—versions of each of the 16 Freegunners with added Combat Trait modifiers to their base abilities. As you learn and master the characters, Combat Traits empower you to tailor each character to your playstyle.
