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

NetEase Games' Marvel Rivals has significantly outpaced Sony and Firewalk Studios' Concord in beta player numbers, demonstrating a considerable disparity in player engagement.

Marvel Rivals' Beta Dominates Concord

A Striking Player Count 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 reception. As of July 25th, Marvel Rivals' peak concurrent player count on Steam reached 52,671. It's important to note that this Steam count excludes PlayStation players, a potentially substantial portion of the total player base. However, the disparity raises serious questions about Concord's prospects, especially with its official launch date approaching on August 23rd.

Contrasting Fortunes: Marvel Rivals' Success vs. Concord's Struggles

Even following its closed and open beta phases, Concord continues to struggle, lagging behind numerous indie titles on Steam's most-wishlisted chart. This low ranking indicates a less-than-enthusiastic response to its beta tests. 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 compounded by its $40 Early Access beta price tag, excluding many potential players. While PS Plus subscribers could access it for free, this requires a paid subscription. The open beta, available to all, only saw a thousand-player increase in peak concurrent users.

Conversely, Marvel Rivals adopted a free-to-play model from the outset. While the closed beta required sign-up, access was readily granted to those requesting it on Steam.

The competitive hero shooter market is already saturated, and Concord's high price point likely deterred many players seeking alternatives.

Concerns about Concord's lack of a distinct identity within the crowded market are also prevalent. Unlike Marvel Rivals, which leverages a strong, recognizable IP, Concord struggles to establish its own unique appeal. While initially described as a blend of Overwatch and Guardians of the Galaxy, many felt it lacked the charm of either franchise.

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

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