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, achieving a remarkable lead.

Marvel Rivals Dominates Concord in Beta Player Count

A Striking Disparity: 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 raises concerns about Concord's prospects, especially with its official launch approaching on August 23rd. Marvel Rivals' Steam player count, as of July 25th, reached a peak of 52,671. It's important to note this figure excludes PlayStation players, a potentially significant segment.

Marvel Rivals Flourishes While Concord Faces Challenges

Concord's performance remains underwhelming, even after its closed and open beta phases. It lags behind many indie titles on Steam's most-wishlisted chart, indicating weak pre-release interest. Conversely, Marvel Rivals enjoys a prominent position in the top 14, alongside titles like Dune: Awakening and Sid Meier's Civilization VII.

Concord's struggles are compounded by its $40 Early Access beta price, excluding many potential players. While PS Plus members received free access, the subscription cost presents a barrier. The open beta, accessible to all, only saw a modest thousand-player increase.

In stark contrast, Marvel Rivals offers free-to-play access, with the closed beta requiring a simple access request on Steam.

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 benefits from a recognizable IP, Concord hasn't established a compelling brand presence. While its "Overwatch meets Guardians of the Galaxy" aesthetic initially attracted attention, it failed to capture the charm of either franchise.

The success of games like Apex Legends and Valorant, and the underperformance of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League (peaking at 13,459 players), highlight that while a strong IP can be beneficial, it's not a guaranteed path to success. While comparing the two directly might seem unfair given Marvel's established IP, both being hero shooters underscores the competitive landscape Concord faces.