NetEase's Marvel Rivals has significantly outpaced Sony and Firewalk Studios' Concord in beta player numbers. The disparity is dramatic.
Marvel Rivals Dominates Concord in Beta Player Count
A Massive 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. Marvel Rivals' player count remains firmly in the five-digit range and continues to grow. As of July 25th, the peak concurrent player count on Steam for Marvel Rivals reached 52,671. It's important to note that this Steam count excludes PlayStation players, a potentially substantial number. However, the stark contrast in beta performance raises serious concerns about Concord's prospects, especially with its official launch on August 23rd rapidly 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 reflects the lukewarm reception of its beta tests. Conversely, Marvel Rivals enjoys a prominent position within 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 tag, excluding many potential players. While PS Plus subscribers received free access, the subscription cost itself presents a barrier. The open beta, available to all, only saw a thousand-player increase in peak concurrent users.
In sharp contrast, Marvel Rivals offers free-to-play access. While the closed beta required sign-up, access was generally readily granted.
The competitive hero shooter market is already saturated, and Concord's high price point may have driven players to seek alternatives.
Some gamers express skepticism towards Concord, citing its failure to differentiate itself in a crowded market. Unlike Marvel Rivals, which benefits from a recognizable IP, Concord lacks a strong, unique identity. While its "Overwatch meets Guardians of the Galaxy" aesthetic initially drew attention, many found it lacked the charm of either franchise.
However, the success of titles like Apex Legends and Valorant demonstrates that a well-known IP isn't always crucial for building a large player base. Conversely, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League's peak of 13,459 players shows that a strong IP alone doesn't guarantee success.
Although comparing Concord to Marvel Rivals might seem unfair due to the latter's stronger IP recognition, both are hero shooters, highlighting the competitive landscape Concord faces.
