Yes, Sony did acquire Firewalk Studios in 2023; however, the studio is currently in the process of being shut down by Sony.
Sony's Acquisition and Subsequent Shutdown of Firewalk Studios
Sony's ownership of Firewalk Studios began in 2023. This acquisition was a strategic move by Sony, primarily aimed at bolstering its presence in the live-service games market. A significant part of this push was the development of Concord, which turned out to be Firewalk's first and only game release.
The Brief Life of Concord and Firewalk's Closure
Concord was intended to be a flagship title for Sony's live-service ambitions. However, its market presence was exceptionally brief, leading to quick decisions regarding the studio's future.
Key events leading to Firewalk's closure include:
- Concord was available for only a mere two weeks before PlayStation ultimately decided to pull the title.
- This title was Firewalk Studios' exclusive release, being its first and only game.
- Following the swift withdrawal of Concord from the market and its overall poor performance, Sony made the decision to shut down Firewalk Studios. This closure marks the end of Firewalk Studios' operations under Sony's ownership, less than a year after its acquisition.
