Sony faced an unexpected problem, but this time not from the players, but from British politicians. The reason was Concord, which the company closed a few days after its release. The project, conceived as a new flagship for the PlayStation games-as-a-service direction, has become one of the most resounding failures in the brand's history.
The story continued in the British Parliament, where deputies discussed the issue of consumer protection and the preservation of digital games. One of the politicians stated:
«The example of Concord, released in August 2024 on PlayStation 5 and PC, showed that users should know how long the product will work.»
He noted that Sony returned the money to buyers, «but this does not always happen.»
Parliamentarians emphasized that publishers are obliged to inform in advance how long their games will be available. The new Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 requires companies to provide «clear, timely and accurate information about the validity period of digital products.» This is especially important for games-as-a-service, where players often lose access without warning.
Deputy Ben Goldsborough, referring to the Stop Killing Games movement, recalled that the gaming industry brings the UK 7.6 billion pounds and provides 75 thousand jobs.
«Players invest not only money, but also emotions. When the game disappears, a part of their life disappears as well».
The debates around Concord have become a symbol of the industry's attitude towards users. Although the government does not plan to introduce new measures, the consequences of Sony's failure are noticeable.
