PlayStation surprises everyone by closing down two of its studios, bringing an end to Firewalk Studios’ hero-shooter, Concord. In an unexpected twist, mobile-specialized Neon Koi, working on a promising action game, is also being shuttered.

Following Concord‘s launch, fears were high. After weeks of uncertainty, internal updates on Steam, and speculation about a possible revival, PlayStation has confirmed the closure of Firewalk Studios alongside Neon Koi, sealing Concord‘s fate.

“We constantly evaluate our game portfolio and project statuses to ensure they align with the company’s short- and long-term priorities. Strengthening SIE’s Studio Business means we’ve had to make a difficult decision regarding Firewalk Studios and Neon Koi,” wrote Hermen Hulst, CEO of the Studio Business Group, in a letter to employees, also published on Sony’s official website.

“We need to recognize when our games aren’t meeting expectations.”
“Expanding beyond PlayStation devices and creating engaging online experiences alongside our single-player offerings are core to our revenue growth strategy. We need to be strategic about taking our games to new platforms and recognize when our games don’t meet player expectations,” he added.

“The Best Decision Is to Permanently Suspend the Game”

“With Firewalk, as announced in September, some aspects of Concord were exceptional, but others failed to captivate players, which led us to take the game’s servers offline. We’ve spent considerable time exploring all options,” Hulst explained. “After much deliberation, we’ve decided the best path is to discontinue the game permanently and close the studio.”

“The first-person PvP shooter genre is a fiercely competitive space that constantly evolves, and unfortunately, we didn’t achieve our goals with this title. We’ll take the lessons learned from Concord and advance our live service capabilities for future growth,” he added.

Hulst’s letter also shed light on the Neon Koi closure, which was once hailed as a major move into the mobile gaming market for Sony.

“While mobile remains a priority growth area, we are still in the early stages of our mobile development efforts. To succeed in this sector, we need titles that reflect PlayStation’s legacy and can reach a broader global audience. With this refined focus, Neon Koi will shut down, and its mobile action game will no longer be developed.”

“I understand that hearing this news is difficult, especially with friends and colleagues leaving SIE. Both decisions were made with thorough consideration, as we aim to strengthen our organization,” Hulst continued. “I believe in embracing creative experimentation and new IPs. However, sustainable growth is essential, especially in today’s economic climate. Despite the tough day, there’s much to look forward to in the coming months from the Studio Business Group. I remain confident that we’re building a resilient organization committed to unforgettable entertainment experiences,” Hulst concluded. According to Sony, approximately 210 employees are affected by the decision—172 from Firewalk and 38 from Neon Koi.

Firewalk Studios Bids Farewell to Players

After the announcement, Firewalk Studios posted a farewell message on X to thank the community. Reflecting on their journey since their founding in 2018, through being acquired by PlayStation, and launching Concord, they wrote: “We took risks by merging elements of card games and fighting games with FPS. While some ideas didn’t work out as hoped, innovating new concepts is essential to advancing the medium. The talent at Firewalk and the quality of individual work is world-class, and Sony Interactive Entertainment and the industry will be fortunate to collaborate with them.”

Tragically, many saw this end coming for Firewalk. Concord generated minimal community interest and launched with very low player counts. Seeing the disastrous debut, Firewalk and Sony decided to take the game offline just 11 days after launch, initially promising new features. Although updates continued appearing on Steam, Concord‘s journey—and its creators’ work—has come to an end.

Source: 3djuegos