Concord's Ghost Haunts Parliament: Lawmakers Demand Better Consumer Protection for Gamers

Parliamentary Echoes: The Unexpected Demise of Concord and the Urgent Need for Player Protection

In a turn of events that has surprised many within the gaming sphere, the specter of the failed video game Concord has unexpectedly materialized in the hallowed halls of the British Parliament. Lawmakers have invoked the short-lived shooter, developed by Firewalk Studios and published by Sony, as a stark illustration of why consumers require more robust safeguards against rushed and unfulfilled game releases.

The irony is palpable. Concord, upon its launch, managed a dismal peak of just 697 concurrent players and was met with a torrent of scathing reviews. Its lifespan was tragically brief, effectively shuttered a mere two weeks after its debut. This abrupt end was the crux of the parliamentary discussion.

A Call for Transparency in Digital Lifespans

Members of the House of Commons voiced a critical sentiment: game publishers ought to be upfront about the projected operational lifespan of their titles *before* players commit their hard-earned money. As MP Ben Golding, who initiated the debate, poignantly noted, "To their credit, they did refund all purchased copies , though this is not always the case." He further emphasized that publishers failing to disclose a game's intended longevity should bear accountability.

Golding’s advocacy aligns with the spirit of the new Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act. This legislation aims to compel sellers to provide clear and honest information regarding the functionality and durability of digital products. It’s a vital step towards a more equitable marketplace.

Beyond Concord: A Troubling Pattern of Digital Abandonment

The parliamentary session wasn't solely focused on Concord's ignominious end. The fate of other games, such as Ubisoft's The Crew and Anthem, whose servers were unceremoniously shut down, rendering them unplayable, was also brought to light. This led to a lawsuit from two players against Ubisoft, underscoring the tangible losses gamers experience.

"Gamers still experience profound personal investment because they are not just spending money. They invest time, effort, imagination, and friendship. When a game is shut down without warning, all of that simply vanishes," Golding articulated, highlighting the emotional and social dimensions of gaming that transcend monetary value.

Golding champions governmental support for preserving games of cultural significance, suggesting that funding for archives dedicated to safeguarding older titles is a worthy endeavor. While GOG's commendable efforts to preserve gaming heritage weren't explicitly mentioned during the hearings, their initiative serves as a rare example of a company proactively investing in the longevity of our digital past, often an undertaking left to enthusiastic modders.

A Realistic Path Forward: Balancing Ambition with Prudence

Despite the strong backing from many parliamentarians, the government has opted against immediate legislative changes. The complexities of managing live-service games, where even developers may not always foresee an abrupt server shutdown, present significant hurdles.

Publishers often harbor aspirations of transforming their projects into perpetual revenue streams, akin to the enduring success of titles like Fortnite, GTA V Online, or Roblox, which has even surpassed Steam in player count. However, the reality for many is far harsher. Approximately 40% of new titles fail to recoup their development and marketing costs, let alone achieve profitability.

Implementing changes would raise a plethora of regulatory questions. Foremost among these is who would bear the financial responsibility for maintaining server infrastructure for underperforming games. Moreover, determining the appropriate duration for online service support and establishing a calculable metric for this timeframe remain unresolved challenges. For now, these crucial discussions remain largely in the realm of conversation.

The developer of Concord themselves mused, "Gamers love to watch games fail."