Marvel Rivals Beta Outperforms Concord in Player Count

NetEase's Marvel Rivals has significantly outpaced Sony and Firewalk Studios' Concord in beta player numbers, achieving a vastly superior performance.

Marvel Rivals Dominates Concord in Beta Player Count

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

Within just two days of its beta launch, Marvel Rivals boasted over 50,000 concurrent players, dwarfing Concord's peak of approximately 2,388. Marvel Rivals' player base continues to grow exponentially.

As of July 25th, Marvel Rivals reached a peak of 52,671 concurrent players on Steam. This figure excludes players on other platforms, potentially a substantial number. The disparity highlights significant concerns about Concord's prospects, especially with its official launch date 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 many indie titles on Steam's wishlists. This low ranking underscores the underwhelming reception of its beta tests. In stark contrast, Marvel Rivals enjoys a prominent position in the top 14 most wishlisted games, alongside titles like Dune: Awakening and Sid Meier's Civilization VII.

Concord's struggles are exacerbated by its $40 pre-order requirement for beta access, excluding many potential players. While PS Plus subscribers could play for free, the subscription cost acts as a barrier. Even after its open beta, player numbers increased by only a thousand.

Conversely, Marvel Rivals is free-to-play, significantly broadening its appeal. While the closed beta required signup, access was readily granted.

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

Concord's lack of a distinct identity in a crowded market contributes to its struggles. Unlike Marvel Rivals, which leverages a powerful and recognizable IP, Concord lacks a compelling unique selling proposition. While its "Overwatch meets Guardians of the Galaxy" aesthetic initially attracted attention, many found it lacking the charm of either franchise.

However, the success of games like Apex Legends and Valorant proves that a strong brand isn't always crucial. Similarly, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League's relatively modest peak of 13,459 players demonstrates that a big IP alone doesn't guarantee success.

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