A Surprising Find at Goodwill

In a twist of fate, a commemorative plaque celebrating the ill-fated launch of Sony's shooter game, Concord, has appeared on Goodwill's online auction platform, with bids skyrocketing beyond $3,000!

What’s the Story Behind This Plaque?

This unique plaque was reportedly awarded to Chelsea Grace, a significant figure in the game's development. It commemorates the global launch of Concord on August 23, 2024, and acknowledges the efforts of teams like "funding Freegunner" and the "Northstar Crew." However, the circumstances around how the plaque ended up at Goodwill remain murky. Some speculate that it was misplaced when PlayStation dissolved Firewalk Studios, the game's developer, last year.

Concord: A Notorious Flop in Gaming History

Concord was intended to be a standout live-service hero shooter from Sony-owned Firewalk Studios, but it quickly gained a reputation as one of PlayStation's most significant failures. Just two weeks after its much-anticipated release, Sony had to take the game offline due to alarmingly low player counts, with estimates suggesting it sold approximately 25,000 copies. Critics were mixed, with one review rating it a modest 7/10, noting its competitive gameplay and interesting character roster but calling it lacking in innovation.

Reflections on a Failed Venture

Tim Miller, a noted creator from Amazon's upcoming animated anthology, Secret Level, shared his thoughts on Concord's abrupt demise. He expressed his bewilderment over the game's failure, acknowledging the dedicated team's talent and efforts. "I honestly don’t understand why it didn’t work. They tried their best, and I feel terrible for them," Miller stated.

The Cost of Ambition

Financially, Concord has proved disastrous for Sony. Initial development costs were around $200 million, yet insiders reveal that this amount didn’t cover the game's full development, nor did it secure the rights to the Concord IP or Firewalk Studios itself. Back in 2021, ProbablyMonsters, Firewalk's parent company, raised an additional $200 million.

A Collector's Item with a Tale

As the auction continues to heat up, this plaque represents not just a piece of memorabilia, but a deeper narrative of ambition, disappointment, and the ever-unpredictable world of game development. Will the bidding continue to skyrocket, or will this be the last treasure from one of gaming’s greatest misfires?