A commemorative launch medal awarded to Chelsea Grace, a member of the art department for the ill-fated shooter "Concord," recently appeared on the American auction site "Goodwill," sparking widespread discussion among the gaming community and industry insiders.
The medal was originally gifted by the now-shuttered Firewalk Studios to team members, marking the game's global launch on August 23, 2024. It is inscribed with the words "Founding Freegunner, Northstar Crew" and includes a game disc and visual artwork.
According to the game credits for "Concord," Chelsea Grace served as the Head of Outsourcing and Co-Development at Firewalk Studios, playing a key role in the game's visual style and resource integration. It is currently unclear whether she personally donated the commemorative medal or if it entered the secondhand market through other means. As of now, the item has attracted 34 bids, with the latest price reaching $2,526.
The auction is being held by the Goodwill of the Olympics and Rainier Region, which serves Tacoma and Longview, Washington. Firewalk Studios was headquartered in Bellevue, in the same state, adding a layer of local intrigue to the sale.
This event has brought renewed attention to the troubled history of the online shooter. Just two weeks after its launch, Sony Interactive Entertainment announced it was shutting down operations, halting sales, and offering full refunds to all players. Although Sony initially stated it would evaluate the possibility of a relaunch, PlayStation Studios head Hermen Hulst officially abandoned the project a month later and subsequently closed Firewalk Studios.
Firewalk was founded in 2018 and acquired by Sony in 2023. "Concord," its debut title, was in development for approximately eight years but ultimately received "Mixed or Average" reviews on Metacritic, with scores of 62 for the PS5 version and 65 for PC. According to reports, its total sales may have been as low as 25,000 units, making it one of PlayStation's most disastrous launches in recent years.
via： VGC