Reviving Concord: A Passion Project by Gamers
Concord, a shooter from Sony Interactive Entertainment and Firewalk Studios, went offline just two weeks after launch. Although it gathered a handful of loyal players, it failed to make a mark in the gaming world, selling fewer than 25,000 copies. In a surprising twist, a small group of players is now working to bring it back.
After its release, Sony pulled Concord from all stores and issued refunds. This decision led to the closure of Firewalk Studios and the layoffs of about 200 employees. The game director, Ryan Ellis, noted that while some aspects resonated with players, many elements fell short of expectations.
Three hobbyists—known as real, Red, and gwog—are leading the initiative to reverse-engineer the game. Their passion for gaming drives them to tackle the challenge of making Concord playable once again. “I love taking things apart and putting them back together,” said gwog.
Recently, the group managed to get a working version of Concord and shared a playtest video online. For Red, who previously helped revive another game, the challenge of Concord is particularly engaging. He highlighted the technical complexities involved, stating, “It’s the most complex project I’ve worked on yet.”
To reproduce the game’s online experience, Red explained that there are two main approaches to reverse engineering. They found an exploit to decrypt the game’s code, allowing them to restore the server functions. He mentioned that the biggest hurdle was overcoming the anti-tamper software designed to prevent cheating.
Real, who is new to this kind of project, focused on rebuilding the backend API. He described it as piecing together a puzzle with various parts, some clear and others confusing. His work involves managing save data, which tracks players’ progress and items.
Interest in this revival has surged, especially within the Concord Reddit community. Hundreds have joined a Discord server dedicated to future playtests, eager for a chance to reconnect with the game. Former employees from Firewalk Studios have even joined the efforts, hoping to see their work revived.
Red’s passion for game preservation is evident as he also develops a platform called Ancify, meant to host “dead games.” This initiative aims to make it easier to share resources for games that have ceased operation. Titles like LawBreakers and Radical Heights are already hosted, and Red plans to add Concord soon.
Reflecting on their mission, Real shared, “I’m fascinated by ‘lost media.’ Concord made a big splash before fading away, and I want others to experience what I found intriguing.” Red also urged people to respect the nostalgia tied to games, regardless of personal opinions. “You never know which game might be next on the chopping block.”
The revival of Concord isn’t just about the game—it’s a testament to the dedication of gamers who refuse to let digital experiences disappear. Their efforts highlight the importance of community and passion in preserving gaming history.
For more insights into game preservation, visit Game Preservation Society.
