Marvel Rivals Beta Soars, Surpassing Concord in Days

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

Marvel Rivals Dominates Concord in Beta Player Count

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

Within just two days of its beta launch, Marvel Rivals boasted over 50,000 concurrent players, dwarfing Concord's peak of 2,388. Marvel Rivals' player base remains robust and continues to grow. As of July 25th, Marvel Rivals reached a peak of 52,671 concurrent players on Steam alone. This figure excludes PlayStation players, suggesting the actual player count is even higher. This stark contrast raises concerns about Concord's prospects, especially with its official launch approaching on August 23rd.

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 most-wishlisted chart. This low ranking reflects the less-than-enthusiastic response to 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 challenges are compounded by its $40 Early Access beta price tag, excluding many potential players. While PS Plus members received free access, this requires a paid subscription. The open beta, accessible to all, only saw a modest thousand-player increase in peak concurrent users.

In sharp contrast, Marvel Rivals adopted a free-to-play model from the outset. While its closed beta required sign-up, access was readily granted.

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

Many gamers express skepticism towards Concord, citing its lack of a distinct identity in a crowded market. Unlike Marvel Rivals, which leverages a powerful and recognizable IP, Concord struggles to establish its own unique appeal. While its "Overwatch meets Guardians of the Galaxy" aesthetic initially garnered attention, many felt it lacked the charm of either franchise.

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

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