The Story of Concord's Failure Goes Much Deeper.

Summary

The video discusses the controversy surrounding the game 'Concord', developed by Firewalk Studios under Probably Monsters. It delves into the $400 million claim, the acquisition by Sony, and the studio's financial backing. The narrative explores the industry's live service model, the challenges faced by Sony's gaming strategy, and the implications of venture capital in game development. It also touches on the potential synergies with Bungie and the future of Firewalk Studios post-acquisition.

Takeaways

• 💬 The game 'Concord' developed by Firewalk Studios has been surrounded by controversy and claims of a $400 million development cost.
• 🔥 There's speculation about a 'toxic positivity' culture at Firewalk Studios that may have hindered the development of 'Concord'.
• 🤔 The game director of 'Concord' reportedly self-demoted, adding to the turmoil surrounding the project.
• 💸 Sony's acquisition of Firewalk Studios is part of a bigger picture involving financial incentives and the business of game development.
• 🕵️‍♂️ The story of Firewalk Studios and 'Concord' is deeply connected to Harold Ryan, founder of Probably Monsters, and his history in the gaming industry.
• 💼 Probably Monsters, founded by Ryan, received significant venture capital funding and was involved in the development of 'Concord'.
• 📉 The gaming industry, like other sectors, is not immune to economic fluctuations, which can impact studio acquisitions and game development.
• 🔄 The process of game development involves stages like pre-production and full production, with different levels of investment required at each stage.
• 🏭 Sony's acquisition of Firewalk Studios might be a strategic move to gain control over the development process and talent, rather than just a publishing deal.
• 🔄 The business model of venture capital-backed studios like Probably Monsters involves building games, finding publishers, and potentially selling the studio for returns on investment.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video script?

The main topic of the video script is the acquisition of Firewalk Studios by Sony and the controversy surrounding the development costs of the game Concord, which is rumored to have cost $400 million.

What is 'toxic positivity' as mentioned in the script?

Toxic positivity refers to a work culture where negative feedback is discouraged, potentially leading to the failure to address serious issues, as allegedly happened at Firewalk Studios during the development of Concord.

What is the significance of the $400 million figure mentioned in the script?

The $400 million figure is significant because it represents the rumored total cost of developing the game Concord, which has sparked discussions about the efficiency and financial decisions in the gaming industry.

Who is Colin Morar and why is his tweet significant?

Colin Morar is a person who tweeted about the issues at Firewalk Studios, claiming that the development of Concord cost $400 million. His tweet is significant because it went viral and brought attention to the alleged financial mismanagement and the culture at the studio.

What is the role of Harold Ryan in the narrative?

Harold Ryan is a key figure in the narrative as he is the founder of Probably Monsters, the parent company of Firewalk Studios. He has a history of working in the gaming industry, including a tenure as CEO of Bungie.

Why did Sony acquire Firewalk Studios?

Sony acquired Firewalk Studios for several reasons, including their desire to own the intellectual property of Concord, the potential synergy with Bungie (a company Sony had previously acquired), and the strategic move to have more control over the development of games that fit their live service plans.

What is the business model of Probably Monsters?

The business model of Probably Monsters involves building teams to create games, then either running the games internally or securing deals such as acquisitions or publishing contracts. The goal is to leverage venture capital funding to develop games and then sell the studios or secure publishing deals to generate returns.

What does the term 'incubation teams' refer to in the context of Probably Monsters?

Incubation teams in the context of Probably Monsters refer to smaller, early-stage development teams focused on creating game concepts and prototypes. These teams are part of the pre-production phase before scaling up for full production.

Why might the acquisition of Firewalk Studios by Sony be seen as a positive move for Probably Monsters?

The acquisition of Firewalk Studios by Sony could be seen as positive for Probably Monsters because it allows them to offload the financial burden of full-scale production, which is costly and risky. It also provides a return on their venture capital funding and allows them to focus on other projects.

What is the significance of the game Helldivers 2 in the discussion?

Helldivers 2 is significant in the discussion because it serves as a comparison to Concord. It shows that an exclusive publishing deal can be successful without the need for a full studio acquisition, which raises questions about Sony's decision to buy Firewalk Studios.

What are the implications of the Concord development story for the gaming industry?

The Concord development story implies that the gaming industry can be fraught with high risks and costs, especially for AAA titles. It highlights the challenges of managing large-scale game development, the importance of publisher-developer relationships, and the financial pressures that can lead to studio acquisitions or closures.