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, demonstrating a considerable disparity in player engagement.

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. This substantial difference highlights a significant gap in player interest. As of July 25th, Marvel Rivals reached a peak of 52,671 concurrent players on Steam alone, a figure that doesn't account for potential PlayStation players. This disparity raises serious questions about Concord's prospects, especially with its official launch on August 23rd fast approaching.

Marvel Rivals Flourishes While Concord Struggles

Even after its closed and open beta phases, Concord continues to underperform, lagging behind numerous indie titles on Steam's most-wishlisted chart. This low wishlist ranking indicates a lack of pre-release buzz. In stark 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 struggles are further compounded by its $40 Early Access price tag for beta participation, excluding PS Plus subscribers who could access it for free. Even after the open beta, player numbers only increased marginally.

In comparison, Marvel Rivals' free-to-play model and readily accessible beta access (via a simple Steam request) contributed to its impressive player acquisition.

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

Concord's failure to establish a unique identity in a crowded market further hindered its performance. Unlike Marvel Rivals, which leverages a powerful and recognizable IP, Concord lacks a distinct brand appeal. While initially compared to Overwatch and Guardians of the Galaxy, it failed to capture the charm of either franchise.

However, the success of games like Apex Legends and Valorant proves that a strong IP isn't always necessary for success. Conversely, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League's comparatively modest peak of 13,459 players illustrates that a renowned IP alone doesn't guarantee a large player base.

Although comparing Concord to Marvel Rivals might seem biased given the latter's established IP, both being hero shooters highlights the intense competition Concord faces.