The union representing game developers has harshly criticized Sony’s recent decision to close two studios, including Concord developer Firewalk, saying the gaming giant’s actions are anti-competitive and monopolistic.
in a statementThe Communications Workers of America (CWA) said Sony’s recent decisions to shut down Concord studio Firewalk and mobile gaming company Neon Koi “make clear that now more than ever, video game workers deserve a free and fair opportunity to join forces to form Union.”
The video game industry has been hit by mass layoffs and other major changes in recent years, and the CWA said decisions to cut jobs and cancel projects came from “highly siled video game CEOs.”
The CWA statement goes on to claim that Sony continues to engage in monopolistic behavior by closing studios and laying off employees.
“Sony’s decision to dismantle studios outside the walled garden of exclusive PlayStation content, rather than make games that must compete in the highly diverse and competitive mobile gaming market, should be a warning sign that Sony is interested in further consolidating its presence in monopoly in the video game industry,” the group said.
Industry analyst Daniel Ahmed disagrees with the logic here. he say on social media”, “This argument does not hold true in this specific example. The studios were not dominant before they were acquired. This is the result of poor management. “
The CWA went on to say that it would raise concerns about Sony’s “increasing monopoly and monopoly power” with regulators, policymakers and stakeholders in the future.
Nearly 250 employees at Fallout and The Elder Scrolls developer Bethesda Game Studios recently formed a union with the CWA. This is part of a broader trend of teams seeking collective bargaining agreements in the video game industry, a trend that appears to be heating up as of late.
according to a Report from XiaozhaiConcord’s initial development contract was worth up to $200 million – a figure that was reportedly not enough to cover all game development costs. The fee is said to be separate from expenses related to Sony’s acquisition of Firewalk and acquisition of Concord intellectual property.
Less than a month after “Concord” was launched, Sony announced that it would take the game offline and refund all players. There was a time when some thought the game might resurface with a new business model or other changes, but that’s not going to happen.
While the Concord game is not continuing, the series will still be featured in Prime Video’s video game TV series Secret Levels, which will premiere this December.