Short-Lived: 3 Games That Faded Fast

Some people are destined for greatness, while others perish quickly. The world of gaming can be unforgiving, much like in real life. Ultimately, games are supposed to entertain and make a profit from us gamers. In light of recent news, here are three games that met their untimely demise almost as soon as they launched. 

From Sony Official Website

Concord 

From YouTube/PlayStation

Right, this is the title that inspired this article because it was a big yikes. Sony’s Concord is a first-person team-based hero shooter developed by Firewalk Studios, and it holds the record for the fastest game death in history. Released in August 2024, it was supposed to be a “fresh take” on the oversaturated hero shooter genre, but it didn’t even last a month before Sony decided to pull the plug. 

Despite its 3A budget and visually appealing marketing, Concord was plagued by a lower player count, with peak concurrent users only reaching around 600. Some can argue that the majority of its players were game journalists trying to cover the game. The crowded market and lack of standout features meant it never gained traction​. Sony even went as far as to offer full refunds to disappointed players. Again, yikes. 

Radical Heights 

From YouTube/IGN

Does anyone remember this title? Radical Heights was an 80s-themed battle royale game developed by Boss Key Productions, the studio led by former Gears of War creator Cliff Bleszinski. Released in early 2018, Radical Heights was intended to capitalize on the battle royale craze sparked by Fortnite and PUBG. 

However, the game was rushed out in an “X-Treme Early Access” state, riddled with bugs and missing key features. Its development was cut short when Boss Key Productions shut down in May 2018, just a month after its launch. It had unique ideas with its retro vibe and cash-based mechanics, but it couldn’t survive the massive shadow of Fortnite during that time. 

If you wish to play something similar to this game, at least in theme, you can try out The Finals on Steam. 

Evolve

From YouTube/GameSpot

Unlike the other games on this list, Evolve didn’t die immediately but fell far short of its potential. Developed by Turtle Rock Studios and published by 2K Games, Evolve launched in February 2015 as an innovative asymmetrical multiplayer game, pitting four hunters against a single-player-controlled monster. The concept was fresh, but Evolve faced backlash due to its complex gameplay mechanics and aggressive “DLC strategy.” Despite multiple relaunch attempts—including a free-to-play model—the game’s player base dwindled, and the servers were officially shut down in 2021.

These games may be short-lived, but one category of devices that doesn’t die off fast is smart technology. Serving its functions and getting better by the day, smart technology exists to transform your home experience. If you do not know where to look, you can visit the Next Upgrade Shop, which offers smart devices at the best prices!