Firewalk Studios is being shut down

[Fenton]

While mobile remains a priority growth area for the Studio Business, we are in the very early stage of our mobile efforts. To achieve success in this area we need to concentrate on titles that are in-line with PlayStation Studios’ pedigree and have the potential to reach more players globally.


With this re-focused approach, Neon Koi will close, and its mobile action game will not be moving forward. I want to express my gratitude to everyone at Neon Koi for their hard work and endless passion to innovate.


Regarding Firewalk, as announced in early September (An Important Update on Concord), certain aspects of Concord were exceptional, but others did not land with enough players, and as a result we took the game offline. We have spent considerable time these past few months exploring all our options.


After much thought, we have determined the best path forward is to permanently sunset the game and close the studio.   I want to thank all of Firewalk for their craftsmanship, creative spirit and dedication

An Update from PlayStation Studios

*Below is an internal email from Hermen Hulst, CEO, Studio Business Group, Sony Interactive Entertainment distributed today to SIE employees. ********************************************************************************** Dear Team, Today, I want to share some important updates from Sony...

sonyinteractive.com

 

[John Elden Ring]

Go woke go broke

 

[Evilnemesis8]

I think we all saw this coming.
SIE has been in cost cutting measures recently and a studio that lost quite a bit of money and is looking at 5-6 years until their next game is not going to be kept, especially with Seattle/Bellevue Washington levels of salaries.

 

[Entropi]

I believe this to be a mistake. Concord had several issues that weren’t directly related to the gameplay. The game itself was quite solid.

Or, maybe they did burn 4 billion dollars making it.

 

[Sloane_Ranger]

Good call. Now learn from it Herman.

 

[Gediminas]

While mobile remains a priority growth area for the Studio Business, we are in the very early stage of our mobile efforts. To achieve success in this area we need to concentrate on titles that are in-line with PlayStation Studios’ pedigree and have the potential to reach more players globally.


With this re-focused approach, Neon Koi will close, and its mobile action game will not be moving forward. I want to express my gratitude to everyone at Neon Koi for their hard work and endless passion to innovate.


Regarding Firewalk, as announced in early September (An Important Update on Concord), certain aspects of Concord were exceptional, but others did not land with enough players, and as a result we took the game offline. We have spent considerable time these past few months exploring all our options.


After much thought, we have determined the best path forward is to permanently sunset the game and close the studio.   I want to thank all of Firewalk for their craftsmanship, creative spirit and dedication

An Update from PlayStation Studios

*Below is an internal email from Hermen Hulst, CEO, Studio Business Group, Sony Interactive Entertainment distributed today to SIE employees. ********************************************************************************** Dear Team, Today, I want to share some important updates from Sony...

sonyinteractive.com

great buy by Jimbo!

and of course, Amazing management from Hulst also!

 

[Gediminas]

Good call. Now learn from it Herman.

 

[quest4441]

They should sue Probably Monsters for this scam and Sony shareholders in turn should sue Herman Hulst for running this irresponsible fiduciary scam. The useless people at Firewalk got salary for 2 more months than necessary

Now hopefully we can get rid of Bungie, Haven and Firesprite too

 

[ethomaz]

It was expected after what happened.

Loud weirdo gamers really killed a talented studio.
We don't see games with suck good gameplay in years and when one is released it face the cancel culture of social media.

Sadly.

 

[Dabaus]

If this Truly was Hermans "baby" i think he needs a demotion or needs to take a walk too. Such poor foresight at a time when sony is bleeding partners that used to exclusively work with them almost every day now. Imagine what a 400 million dollar investment in SE could do or 400 million in money hats.

 

[Luffy123]

is what it is. This was solely down to the players more than anything else. Lets see what the future holds

 

[Evilnemesis8]

It was expected after what happened.

Loud weirdo gamers really killed a talented studio.
We don't see games with suck good gameplay in years and when one is released it face the cancel culture of social media.

Sadly.

Loud weirdos are not that influential.
The game was not the right fit for the market, consumers rejected it.

 

[FatKaz]

Wow i thought they'd give it a chance as an f2p, probably best to kill it off as initial impressions screwed it.

If this Truly was Hermans "baby" i think he needs a demotion or needs to take a walk too. Such poor foresight at a time when sony is bleeding partners that used to exclusively work with them almost every day now. Imagine what a 400 million dollar investment in SE could do or 400 million in money hats.

Herman is only part of the problem. Sony leadership as a whole are what's the problem.

Things won't change with one person gone.

 

[Sloane_Ranger]

We don't see games with suck good gameplay

Sadly.

indeed… /jk

 

[quest4441]

Bwahahaha they closed the mobile game studio as well, As I have said repeatedly these bumbling idiots have no clue how to make a multiplayer game that sets the world on fire.

I foresee many future studio closures including the so called top tier first party studios. Abandoning your home market and roots, insult your customers and pander to modern audiences seems like a recipe for success alright

 

[ethomaz]

 

[ethomaz]

Loud weirdos are not that influential.
The game was not the right fit for the market, consumers rejected it.

Rejected due anti-DEI agenda on social.

Anybody that played the game could have changed the impression.
But vast didn't give the game a chance due the "controversies".

It didn't have an already build up IP to counter it and make people try it.

 

[Evilms]

 

[Boswollox]

is what it is. This was solely down to the players more than anything else. Lets see what the future holds

Imagine believing this. The director of the studio slagged off customers.

 

[BillyZ]

Hermen Hulst is a brilliant man with lots of well-thought-out, practical ideas. He is insuring the financial security of this company for years to come. Oh yes, and his personal hygiene is above reproach.