Sony"s Concord: $400 Million Loss and Shutdown After Launch
- Sony's 'Concord' had a production cost of $400 million, with $200 million spent before reaching alpha.
- The game was in poor condition during development, with key features like onboarding and monetization still unaddressed as of Q1 2023.
- The project's failure and subsequent shutdown raise concerns about the management of high-budget game developments.
A recent report revealed that Sony's game 'Concord' incurred a staggering production cost of $400 million, divided into two phases of development. Before reaching the alpha stage, $200 million had already been spent, with the game reportedly in a 'laughable shape' at that time. This prompted Sony to invest heavily to bring it to a minimal viable product status. Despite the significant investment, key aspects such as onboarding and monetization were still unaddressed as of Q1 2023. The ambitious project was envisioned as a major future title for PlayStation, likened to a 'Star Wars-like' endeavor, with extensive multimedia plans including cinematics and collaborations with platforms like Amazon. The game's development was closely overseen by Herman Hulst, CEO of Sony Interactive, who was a strong advocate for its potential. However, the development team faced challenges, as no one was permitted to make substantial changes to the game's direction, leading to a culture of 'toxic positivity' within the project. As the game struggled to meet expectations, the decision to outsource work in a bid to salvage the project raised questions about the management and vision behind it. The combination of high costs, poor player engagement, and the eventual shutdown of the game has left many wondering about the future of similar projects at Sony. The situation serves as a cautionary tale about the risks associated with high-budget game development in the competitive gaming industry. Ultimately, the failure of 'Concord' highlights the challenges faced by major gaming companies in balancing ambitious visions with practical execution, especially when significant financial resources are at stake.