One PlayStation gamer recently encountered an unexpected and awkward promotional notification for the ill-fated hero shooter Concord while checking their inbox. This peculiar discovery comes after the game’s highly controversial launch and almost immediate shutdown, making the notification a stark reminder of what has quickly become one of the most talked-about gaming failures of the year.

The Rise and Fall of Concord: What Went Wrong?

Sony had high hopes for Concord, a 5v5 hero shooter developed by Firewalk Studios. The game was expected to be a strong competitor against titles like Overwatch 2 and the upcoming Marvel Rivals. However, those hopes were dashed almost as quickly as they were built. From the start, Concord struggled to gain traction, facing criticism for its high price in a genre typically dominated by free-to-play games. Additionally, its character designs left much of the player base divided, making it even harder for the game to gather momentum.

In a matter of just two weeks after its launch, Concord was taken offline, having failed to establish a sustainable player base. The sudden shutdown was a significant blow not only to Sony’s plans but also to gamers who had pre-ordered and supported the game early on.

PlayStation Notification Leaves a Bitter Reminder

A Reddit user, lilsikki32, shared their experience after stumbling upon a PlayStation notification that promoted Concord’s 72-hour early access period for those who pre-ordered the Digital Deluxe Edition. Unfortunately, due to the game’s swift collapse, lilsikki32 never got around to playing the game before it was taken offline. On the bright side, players who purchased Concord have been receiving refunds, so there’s hope that they’ll get their money back.

Going thru my notifications and I see this 😭😭 I never got a chance to play it
byu/lilsikki32 inConcordGame

While this notification might seem like a simple oversight, it highlights just how quickly things went south for Concord. The user’s post on Reddit sparked a conversation, with many expressing relief that they didn’t fall for the promotion. Some even joked that lilsikki32 had “dodged a bullet,” considering the game’s rapid downfall.

Gamer Reactions: Mixed Feelings and Criticisms

The reaction to the post was swift, with many Reddit users sharing their thoughts on Concord’s short-lived presence. Some were hopeful for a potential rebranding of the game, while others criticized Sony for failing to properly market and support the title. According to one user, AcidPorkBuns, the hero shooter was only promoted on the PlayStation Store for “a day or two,” which they believe contributed to its failure to gain attention.

Despite the game’s poor reception, there are still some die-hard fans hoping for a revival. A petition to re-release Concord as a free-to-play title has gained traction online, gathering around 2,000 signatures. Whether this will be enough to sway Firewalk Studios and Sony to give the game another chance remains to be seen.

Is There Hope for Concord’s Return?

As of now, Firewalk Studios and Sony have yet to reveal any concrete plans for Concord’s future. While some fans are holding out hope for a re-launch, likely in a free-to-play format, it’s unclear whether the game can recover from its disastrous launch. The challenges that Concord faced, particularly in terms of marketing and pricing, would likely need to be addressed for the game to stand any chance of success in a re-release.

In a humorous twist, a player on Steam is still listed as active on Concord, despite the game’s servers being offline. Whether this lone player is holding out hope or simply a glitch in the system is unknown, but it adds a quirky footnote to the strange saga of Concord.

Final Thoughts: Lessons from Concord’s Short-Lived Run

Concord’s rapid rise and fall is a reminder of just how unpredictable the gaming industry can be. Despite high expectations, poor execution in terms of pricing and marketing can spell disaster for even the most promising of titles. While Concord’s fate is currently in limbo, it remains to be seen if the game will make a comeback or be relegated to the growing list of games that failed to meet their potential.

For now, gamers can only wait and see if Concord will rise from the ashes or remain a cautionary tale in the world of competitive hero shooters.

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