Concord's Failure Led To Increased Oversight, Says Sony Exec

Sony's live-service shooter Concord, launched in 2024, was a prominent failure for the company. According to Sony Interactive Entertainment's chief executive of studio business, Hermen Hulst, the biggest lesson from Concord was the need for more rigorous and frequent testing during the development process. Hulst acknowledged that while Sony wants its PlayStation studios to take big risks in conceiving future franchises, the company also aims to catch failures early and cheaply. Following Concord's demise, Sony has re-committed to live-service titles, but Hulst downplayed the importance of the number of such games, emphasizing the need for a diverse set of player experiences and communities. One of Sony's upcoming live-service launches is Marathon, developed by Bungie. This title has already drawn unfavorable comparisons to Concord and was delayed indefinitely in June. Reports have since emerged that Bungie is losing its independence to PlayStation Studios, and the company's longtime boss, Pete Parsons, has announced his departure.