Sony has announced the closure of Firewalk Studios, the developer behind the beleaguered PlayStation Concord game, and Neon Koi, a mobile game development studio. This move marks a significant restructuring effort, impacting approximately 210 jobs.
Key Points
– Firewalk Studios and Neon Koi shut down
– Approximately 210 jobs impacted
– Concord game permanently sunset
– Poor sales cited as reason for shutdown
– Mobile remains a priority growth area for Sony
Reasons Behind the Shutdown
According to Hermen Hulst, CEO of the PlayStation studio business group, Concord failed to meet Sony’s sales targets. Launched on August 23rd, the game was taken offline on September 6th due to poor sales, estimated to be under 25,000 copies.
Impact on the Gaming Industry
This shutdown follows a trend of layoffs in the gaming industry, with thousands of developers affected over the past couple of years. Some impacted developers may find roles within Sony’s other studios.
Future Plans
Hulst emphasized that Sony will apply lessons learned from Concord to advance its live service capabilities, driving future growth. Despite Neon Koi’s closure, mobile gaming remains a strategic focus for Sony.