Sony's Live-Service Strategy Raises Concerns After Concord's Disappointing Launch

The recent withdrawal of Concord from the market, just two weeks after its launch, has raised eyebrows and prompted a reevaluation of Sony's live-service strategy. Despite the company's efforts to acquire expertise through studio acquisitions, its live-service games have struggled to gain traction. The failure of Concord, in particular, has highlighted the challenges Sony faces in this space. With the live-service market becoming increasingly crowded and consumer sentiment turning against the concept, Sony's pivot towards live-service games has been called into question. The company's reputation for running successful game studios has been built on its ability to manage and support talented developers, but its foray into live-service games has been marred by missteps. The acquisition of Bungie, for example, was intended to bring live-service expertise to the table, but the studio has struggled with internal issues. Firewalk, another studio acquired by Sony, developed Concord, which failed to impress despite its promising gameplay. The lack of effective feedback and oversight from Sony's studio system has been cited as a contributing factor to Concord's disappointing launch. As the live-service market continues to evolve, Sony must reassess its approach and consider whether its current strategy is sustainable. With the launch of Astro Bot, a classic single-player title, Sony has an opportunity to refocus on its core competencies and reevaluate its live-service ambitions. The company's ability to adapt and learn from its mistakes will be crucial in determining the success of its live-service endeavors.