Bungie’s long-awaited deep dive into Marathon should have been a triumphant moment — a bold return to a classic IP with a fresh, extraction-shooter twist. But instead of dominating headlines with excitement, the game’s reveal is sharing the spotlight with something far less celebratory: the specter of Concord.
For many in the gaming community, Concord is still a fresh wound. The ill-fated live-service shooter from Firewalk Studios launched in August 2024 to lukewarm reception, only to be pulled from storefronts weeks later and fully shuttered by September. Sony quickly issued refunds and shut down Firewalk entirely, marking one of the most abrupt failures in recent live-service memory. Now, just months later, Bungie’s Marathon is drawing comparisons — and concerns — from players who fear history might repeat itself.
A Case of Deja Vu?
On the surface, the parallels are hard to ignore. Like Concord, Marathon leans heavily into vibrant sci-fi aesthetics, team-based PvP action, and live-service mechanics. Both aim to carve out space in a fiercely competitive market where attention is currency and player retention is king. The collapse of Concord is being cited by fans as a cautionary tale — a reminder that flashy trailers and developer pedigree don’t guarantee long-term success.
On Reddit, X, and YouTube comment sections, questions abound: “Is Marathon just another Concord waiting to happen?” “Will Bungie really support it long-term?” “Do people even want another extraction shooter right now?” These aren’t just knee-jerk reactions — they’re informed by a string of failed or fading live-service experiments from major publishers, including Hyenas, Babylon’s Fall, and XDefiant delays.
A Developer’s Plea for Perspective
In a surprising twist, former Concord developer Stephan Williams — a senior VFX artist at Firewalk — weighed in after Marathon’s reveal, urging fans not to let Concord’s failure color their view of Bungie’s project. Calling Concord’s end “gut-wrenching,” Williams emphasized the toll such a collapse takes on the teams behind the scenes. “To call this game a failure before it’s even out is wild to me,” he wrote. “The devs put years of their lives into these projects. Please let them show you what they’ve made.”
Williams’ comments struck a chord, not just for their raw honesty, but for their reminder that while players judge games on performance and polish, developers often pour heart, soul, and sweat into every frame. And in the context of Marathon, they’re a plea for fairness — to evaluate Bungie’s game on its own terms, not through the lens of Concord’s downfall.
What Makes Marathon Different?
So what does Marathon actually bring to the table that might set it apart?
Set on the derelict colony of Tau Ceti IV, Marathon casts players as “runners” — cybernetically enhanced scavengers diving into dangerous zones for loot and intel. Teams of three battle not only rival crews but also environmental threats like robotic security units and alien wildlife. Bungie is promising a “persistent world” shaped by player actions, stylish neon-industrial design, and, of course, the tight shooting mechanics they’ve honed with Halo and Destiny.
But perhaps the biggest unknown is whether Bungie can nail what so many other studios struggle with: post-launch support. Extraction shooters are unforgiving. Players lose progress often. Without clear progression systems, meaningful updates, and a reason to keep logging in, engagement can wither fast.
Adding to the uncertainty is Bungie’s recent internal turbulence. Layoffs in late 2024 and delays to Destiny 2’s final expansion have cast doubt on the studio’s stability. Can they really juggle Destiny, Marathon, and their new IP Matter at once — and do it well?
Marathon’s Path Forward
There’s no denying that Marathon is entering a crowded, skeptical market. The live-service gold rush is over; players are more cautious than ever, and burnout from unfinished or unsupported games is real. But Bungie does have advantages: a loyal community, a history of responsive design, and an understanding of how to build satisfying gameplay loops.
Still, the shadow of Concord isn’t going away anytime soon. For Bungie to succeed, Marathon will need to prove — quickly — that it offers more than just style. It needs substance, staying power, and the kind of community investment that keeps players coming back. The countdown to September 23, 2025, is ticking, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
As one Redditor put it bluntly: “Marathon has potential. But potential doesn’t mean much anymore — execution does.”
Bungie Marathon Release Date
Bungie’s highly anticipated PvP extraction shooter, Marathon, is scheduled for release on September 23, 2025. This date follows the game’s reveal and a closed alpha playtest that begins on April 23, 2025, giving players early access.
Key Takeaways
- Concord was shut down less than two weeks after launch, making it one of gaming’s fastest commercial failures.
- Physical copies and controllers are now being sold as collectors’ items at premium prices online.
- Sony has confirmed the closure of developer Firewalk Studios and is offering full refunds to all game purchasers.
The History Of Concord
Concord, Sony’s highly anticipated multiplayer shooter, ended abruptly. The game launched as a PlayStation exclusive on August 24, 2025, but was taken offline on September 6, 2025, less than two weeks later. Sony announced the complete shutdown of Concord and the closure of its developer, Firewalk Studios. This marks one of the quickest game failures in recent history. Physical copies and limited-edition controllers of the game have turned into collector’s items, with resale prices surprising many.
Even though Concord was removed from digital stores, it continued to receive updates on Steam over the past two weeks, indicating some ongoing activity after it was officially shut down. PlayStation Studios issued a statement explaining how to get refunds for those who bought the game and talked about the tough decision to close Firewalk Studios. This rapid failure is a major setback for Sony’s plans in live service gaming and raises questions about the future of PlayStation’s first-party game development.
Concord’s journey from concept to cancellation represents one of the most expensive game development failures in recent history. The project faced numerous challenges throughout its development cycle before its ultimate shutdown.
Initial Concept and Funding
Concord was conceived as a hero-based first-person shooter designed to compete in the crowded live-service game market. The ambitious project reportedly received around $400 million in total funding, making it one of the most expensive game development projects in PlayStation’s history.
The game aimed to create a unique sci-fi universe with distinctive characters and gameplay mechanics. Sony viewed Concord as a potential flagship title for their push into live service gaming.
Developers envisioned a game that would blend team-based combat with character-driven narratives. The substantial budget allowed for high-quality graphics, voice acting, and extensive marketing campaigns.
Partnership with Firewalk Studios and Sony
Sony acquired Firewalk Studios to develop Concord as part of their strategy to expand their live service game portfolio. The partnership represented Sony’s commitment to diversifying beyond their traditional single-player experiences.
Firewalk Studios was comprised of industry veterans with experience working on successful shooter franchises. Sony provided significant resources and platform exclusivity for the PlayStation 5.
The collaboration aimed to create a new intellectual property (IP) that could generate long-term revenue through in-game purchases and seasonal content. Sony’s backing gave the project high visibility within the gaming industry.
Production Phases and Milestones
Concord’s development spanned several years with multiple production phases. The game underwent extensive playtesting and refinement as developers attempted to perfect its gameplay mechanics.
Key milestones included:
- Concept development and pre-production
- Alpha and beta testing phases
- Marketing reveal and trailer releases
- Limited public tests
- Full release on August 23, 2023
The game faced technical challenges and feedback issues during development. Despite extensive testing, the final product failed to resonate with its target audience.
Free-to-Play Model Integration
Initially designed as a premium $40 title, Concord’s business model faced scrutiny in an industry increasingly dominated by free-to-play games. The paid entry point created a significant barrier for player acquisition.
The game included microtransactions and planned seasonal content updates to generate recurring revenue. Developers created a progression system intended to keep players engaged over time.
Market analysis suggested the pricing strategy was misaligned with player expectations. Competing free-to-play titles offered similar experiences without the upfront cost, putting Concord at a disadvantage from launch. By October 29, 2023, Sony announced the closure of Firewalk Studios and halted all development on the game.
Release and Reception
Concord launched with high expectations but faced significant challenges upon its entry into the competitive multiplayer shooter market. The game’s brief lifespan represented one of gaming’s most dramatic releases and closures in recent memory.
PlayStation and PC Launch
Concord officially released on August 20, 2024, as a cross-platform title for PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam. The game was positioned as a premium-priced hero shooter, entering a market dominated by established free-to-play titles like Overwatch 2 and Apex Legends.
The simultaneous launch across platforms aimed to capture a wide audience base. However, technical issues plagued some players during the initial days, with server stability problems and matchmaking difficulties reported across both PS5 and PC versions.
Sony’s Firewalk Studios had spent approximately eight years developing the title, making its abbreviated lifespan particularly notable within the industry. The game’s launch price point of $39.99 for the standard edition was later scrutinized as a potential barrier to entry in a genre dominated by free alternatives.
Marketing Strategies and Player Engagement
Sony implemented several marketing approaches for Concord, including:
- Pre-release trailers highlighting character abilities and gameplay mechanics
- PlayStation Blog posts detailing the game’s unique features
- Limited beta testing phases to generate early interest
- Promotional partnerships with content creators
Despite these efforts, the game struggled to build a substantial player base. Steam charts revealed alarming statistics with concurrent player counts reportedly dropping below 700 within days of launch. This low engagement created a negative feedback loop where matchmaking times increased, further discouraging player retention.
The marketing strategy received criticism for not clearly differentiating Concord from established competitors. Some industry analysts suggested that the premium pricing model contradicted current market trends for multiplayer shooters, where free-to-play with microtransactions has become standard.
Critical Reviews and Player Feedback
Reviews for Concord painted a mixed picture. Professional critics acknowledged the game’s polished gunplay and diverse character roster but questioned its overall value proposition and distinctiveness in the crowded shooter market.
Common points of praise included:
- Solid technical performance
- Well-designed maps
- Fluid movement mechanics
Frequent criticisms centered on:
- Generic character designs
- Lack of compelling progression systems
- Limited content at launch
- Similarity to existing titles like Overwatch
Player feedback on forums and social media was more pointed, with many questioning whether the eight-year development cycle had yielded enough innovation. The “mixed” Steam user rating reflected this divided reception, with positive reviews often highlighting the core gameplay while negative ones focused on value concerns and player population issues.
Post-Launch Updates and Live Service Model
Concord’s post-launch support plan included seasonal content updates, new playable characters, maps, and gameplay modes. The development team initially communicated through the PlayStation Blog about their commitment to addressing player feedback and enhancing the experience.
However, this live service model never fully materialized. Less than three weeks after launch, on September 6, 2024, Sony announced that Concord would be taken offline. This sudden change shocked both players and industry observers, as live service games typically receive several months of support even when underperforming.
Recent reports indicate mysterious Steam updates are still occurring despite the game’s offline status. These updates, noted in January 2025, have sparked speculation about potential future plans for the title, though no official statement has been made about their purpose.
Sales Performance and Refund Policy
Exact sales figures for Concord remain undisclosed, but industry analysts estimate the numbers fell dramatically short of Sony’s expectations. The rapid closure decision suggests the player acquisition cost versus potential revenue calculation made continued operation financially untenable.
Following the shutdown announcement, Sony implemented a comprehensive refund policy:
- All players who purchased any version of Concord received automatic refunds
- Refunds were processed through original payment methods
- In-game currency purchases were also refunded
- The game was removed from digital storefronts
This unprecedented refund approach recognized the exceptionally short lifespan of the title and sought to maintain goodwill with affected players. The financial impact of these refunds likely compounded the game’s commercial disappointment for Sony, especially considering the reported development costs over its eight-year creation period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Players have many questions about Concord’s current situation after its sudden removal from the market. These questions cover recent updates, platform availability, and Sony’s position on the game.
What are the most recent updates for Concord game?
Firewalk Studios has announced that Concord is going offline permanently. The game has been removed from all online stores, and the studio is currently processing refunds for all players who purchased it.
The shutdown occurred only two weeks after the game’s launch, marking an unusually quick end for a major release from PlayStation Studios.
Are there any new developments for Concord game on PS5?
There are no new developments for Concord on PS5. The game has been completely removed from the PlayStation Store following Sony’s decision to sunset the title.
Firewalk Studios confirmed there will be no further updates, new characters, maps, or other content that had previously been promised for the game.
Has Concord game been re-released after its initial removal?
No, Concord has not been re-released since its removal. After Sony’s decision to withdraw the game from the market, there have been no announcements about bringing it back in any form.
The game remains offline with no current plans for a relaunch or re-release under a different model.
