Concord, a PlayStation 5 exclusive, made headlines with its ambitious launch on August 23, 2024, but less than two weeks later, the game has been pulled from both digital and physical shelves. As the dust settles, a wave of resales has hit platforms like eBay, where copies are being sold for over $100. Here’s a breakdown of what’s happening with Concord, why it’s being pulled from retailers like Target and Walmart, and how this has affected its value in the resale market.
The Premise of Concord
Concord is a sci-fi first-person shooter that thrusts players into a futuristic universe where intergalactic warfare takes center stage. The game promised a dynamic multiplayer experience with customizable characters and team-based combat strategies. Despite the exciting premise, it seems that the execution did not live up to expectations, leading to widespread backlash from both players and critics.
Why Was Concord Pulled?
According to game director Ryan Ellis, Concord is being taken offline on September 6, 2024, just days after its initial release due to a flood of negative feedback. Ellis explained in a blog post that while certain aspects of the game resonated with players, other areas failed to meet expectations:
“While many qualities of the experience resonated with players, we also recognize that other aspects of the game and our initial launch didn’t land the way we’d intended,” Ellis wrote.
As a result, PlayStation decided to pull the game, halt all sales, and issue full refunds to customers. The official reason for the removal seems to be poor gameplay reception and technical issues, with players citing everything from buggy mechanics to a lackluster multiplayer experience.
Social media discussions have echoed these concerns. On platforms like Reddit and Twitter, players have expressed frustration with the game’s steep $40 price tag, especially when compared to free-to-play alternatives in the hero shooter genre. One popular Reddit thread stated:
“Charging $40 for a multiplayer-only shooter in 2024, when so many competitors are free, was a huge mistake.”
According to Forbes video game critic Paul Tassi, Concord peaked at only 697 concurrent players, a drastically low number for a Sony-backed title, which contributed to its demise.
The eBay Surge: Concord’s Value Climbs Over $100
Despite the game’s premature recall, Concord has become a hot item on resale platforms like eBay, where collectors and opportunists are cashing in on the sudden scarcity. As of now, copies of Concord are selling for over $100, with some listings climbing even higher. The FOMO (fear of missing out) effect has created a frenzy among collectors who believe Concord could become a rare and valuable piece of gaming history.
While the game may be a commercial failure, its limited availability has turned it into a sought-after item for those hoping to capitalize on its rarity. Whether the value of Concord continues to rise or eventually tapers off will depend on whether Sony decides to relaunch the game after addressing its issues.
Full Refunds Available for Buyers
For those who purchased Concord, PlayStation has assured customers that they will receive full refunds regardless of how or where they bought the game. Physical copies purchased at retailers like Target and Walmart will require buyers to return the game to the store, while digital copies purchased through the PlayStation Store, Steam, or Epic Games Store will be refunded automatically in the coming days.
Ellis assured players in his statement that the development team will take time to re-evaluate the game and explore ways to address the core issues before considering a potential relaunch.
Why Did Concord Fail?
Several factors contributed to Concord‘s failure. Despite being developed by a reputable team and launching as a PlayStation 5 exclusive, the game struggled to gain traction due to several key issues:
- High Price Tag: Priced at $40, Concord faced steep competition from free-to-play shooters like Overwatch and Apex Legends, making it a tough sell in an already saturated market.
- Technical Issues: Players reported various bugs and exploits, especially within the multiplayer mode, leading to poor gameplay experiences and widespread frustration.
- Lack of Player Base: With only 697 concurrent players at its peak, Concord never built the large player base necessary for a sustainable multiplayer game.
The Future of Concord Is Uncertain
While Concord‘s story appears to be coming to an end, the possibility of a relaunch still looms. If developers can address the fundamental issues that plagued its initial release, the game could make a comeback. However, its initial failure will likely remain a cautionary tale in the gaming community. For now, Concord lives on in the secondary market, where collectors are snatching up copies in hopes of cashing in on its rarity.
Whether you’re a gamer who enjoyed the experience or a collector hoping to get your hands on a piece of gaming history, Concord has cemented its place as one of the most notable PlayStation stories of 2024.