Teo (Alan Pontes) is frustrated with his crew in Concord (2025), Firewalk StudiosTeo (Alan Pontes) is frustrated with his crew in Concord (2025), Firewalk Studios
Just as quickly as the game died, it seems the Concord-related fallout has already begun for Firewalk Studios, as not only has their studio head stepped down, but its remaining employees fear that their future is just as bleak.


Lennox (Derek Phillips) realizes he's in over his head in Concord (2025), Firewalk StudiosLennox (Derek Phillips) realizes he’s in over his head in Concord (2025), Firewalk Studios
Word of the Sony subsidiary studio’s supposed turmoil was first brought to light courtesy of Kotaku‘s Ethan Gach, who learned of the information from a variety of insider sources.

According to said sources, the bell began toll for Firewalk Studios when Concord director Ryan Ellis – who per Gach “was the main shot caller” on the failed hero shooter – told his fellow devs that he would be stepping down from his leadership role in favor of a more support-oriented one.
Star Child (Derek Mears), Vale (Chivonne Michelle), 1-OFF (Armen Taylor), Haymar (Lana McKissack), and Lennox (Derek Phillips) set off on their next job in Concord (2025), Firewalk StudiosStar Child (Derek Mears), Vale (Chivonne Michelle), 1-OFF (Armen Taylor), Haymar (Lana McKissack), and Lennox (Derek Phillips) set off on their next job in Concord (2025), Firewalk Studios
Notably, players may remember that in his last official communication as the game’s director, Ellis assured the public that although the Concord had been essentially scrapped in its current state, he and his team at Firewalk Studios were still working to both “explore options [for the game], including those that will better reach our players” and “determine the best path ahead”.

However, despite his wording’s suggestion that Concord may come back later in some way, shape, or form, Gach’s insiders say that not only is this looking completely unlikely, but so is their continued employment.

Vale (Chivonne Michelle) runs a diagnostics check on 1-OFF (Armen Taylor) in Concord (2025), Firewalk StudiosVale (Chivonne Michelle) runs a diagnostics check on 1-OFF (Armen Taylor) in Concord (2025), Firewalk Studios
“They are pessimistic Concord will return, and some have been asked to explore pitches for something completely different that Firewalk, which is currently around 150-170 employees, might work on next,” reported Gach. “Speculation among some staff has also included whether the studio could be used as co-development on one of Sony’s myriad other first-party projects currently in production. Others, however, feel like mass layoffs will be the most likely result of Concord’s failure, including the possible shutdown of the entire studio.”
Bazz (Mila Jam) charges into the fight in Concord (2024), Firewalk StudiosBazz (Mila Jam) charges into the fight in Concord (2024), Firewalk Studios
As Firewalk Studios’ time appears to be coming to a close, now feels like a good time to remember that Sony not only purchased the studio solely on their belief that Concord would be a smash hit, but that they chose to do so rather than support their now-shuttered JAPAN Studio, whose team of veteran developers produced such noted hits as Tokyo JungleBloodborne, and the Gravity Rush duo-logy.

In further proving that Sony bet on the wrong, uninspired horse, while Concord has gone down in history as one of the biggest disasters in the history of video games, the last remnants of JAPAN Studio, as currently organized under the banner of Team Asobi, recently released Astro Bot to near-universal applause.
Astro Bot rescues a Ratchet-themed ally in Astro Bot (2025), Team AsobiAstro Bot rescues a Ratchet-themed ally in Astro Bot (2025), Team Asobi
At current, Sony has not responded to Gach’s requests for comments.