Marvel Rivals’ Beta Surpasses Concord’s Player Count in Just Two Days

NetEase's Marvel Rivals has significantly outpaced Sony and Firewalk Studios' Concord in beta player numbers, showcasing a dramatic disparity in player engagement.

Marvel Rivals Dominates Concord in Beta Player Count

A Striking Difference: 50,000 vs. 2,000

Within two days of its beta launch, Marvel Rivals boasted over 50,000 concurrent players, dwarfing Concord's peak of 2,388. This substantial difference raises concerns about Concord's prospects, especially with its official launch approaching on August 23rd. As of July 25th, Marvel Rivals' Steam peak reached 52,671 concurrent players. It's important to note this figure excludes PlayStation players, a potentially substantial segment.

Marvel Rivals Flourishes, While Concord Faces Challenges

Even after its closed and open beta phases, Concord continues to struggle, lagging behind numerous indie titles on Steam's wishlist chart. This low ranking reflects the lukewarm reception of its beta tests. In contrast, Marvel Rivals enjoys a prominent position within the top 14 most-wishlisted games, alongside titles like Dune: Awakening and Sid Meier's Civilization VII.

Concord's performance is further hampered by its $40 Early Access beta price, excluding many potential players. While PS Plus subscribers had free access, the subscription cost presents a barrier. The open beta, despite being free, only saw a thousand-player increase in peak concurrent users.

Marvel Rivals, conversely, is free-to-play, offering broader accessibility. While its closed beta required sign-up, access was generally readily granted.

The competitive hero shooter market is already saturated, and Concord's pricing strategy may have driven players to seek alternatives.

Many gamers express skepticism toward Concord, citing its lack of a distinct identity in a crowded market. Unlike Marvel Rivals, which leverages a recognizable IP, Concord struggles to establish a unique presence. While its "Overwatch meets Guardians of the Galaxy" aesthetic initially attracted attention, it failed to capture the charm of either franchise.

The success of games like Apex Legends and Valorant demonstrates that brand recognition isn't always crucial for player base growth. However, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League's comparatively modest peak of 13,459 players highlights that a strong IP alone isn't a guarantee of success.

Although comparing Concord and Marvel Rivals might seem unfair given the latter's established IP, both being hero shooters underscores the challenging competitive landscape Concord faces.