Marvel Rivals Beta Triumphs Over Concord: Player Count Soars in Two Days

NetEase's Marvel Rivals has significantly outpaced Sony and Firewalk Studios' Concord in beta player numbers.

Marvel Rivals Dominates Concord in Beta Player Count

A Striking Disparity: 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. As of July 25th, Marvel Rivals' Steam peak reached 52,671, a figure that doesn't even account for PlayStation players. This dramatic difference raises serious questions about Concord's prospects, especially with its August 23rd release date approaching.

Marvel Rivals Flourishes While Concord Struggles

Even after its closed and open beta phases, Concord's performance remains underwhelming, lagging behind numerous indie titles on Steam's wishlist chart. This contrasts sharply with Marvel Rivals' strong showing, ranking within the top 14 alongside titles like Dune: Awakening and Sid Meier's Civilization VII.

Concord's struggles are exacerbated by its $40 Early Access price tag, a barrier to entry not present in the free-to-play Marvel Rivals. While PS Plus offered free access, the subscription cost presents another hurdle. Even after its open beta, Concord only saw a thousand player increase. Marvel Rivals, conversely, offered readily accessible closed beta access via Steam.

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

Concord's lack of a distinct identity in a crowded market further hampers its appeal. While its "Overwatch meets Guardians of the Galaxy" aesthetic initially garnered attention, many felt it lacked the charm of its inspirations. This highlights that, while a strong IP like Marvel can boost player numbers (as seen in Marvel Rivals), it's not a guaranteed path to success, as Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League's 13,459 peak demonstrates. The comparison to Marvel Rivals, while seemingly unfair due to the latter's established IP, underscores the competitive landscape Concord faces.