NetEase Games' Marvel Rivals has achieved a remarkable feat, surpassing Sony and Firewalk Studios' Concord in player count within just two days of its beta launch. The difference is dramatic.
Marvel Rivals Dominates Concord in Beta Player Numbers
A Massive Disparity: 50,000 vs. 2,000
Marvel Rivals boasted a peak of over 50,000 concurrent players on Steam within 48 hours of its beta release, dwarfing Concord's peak of 2,388 concurrent players. This significant gap raises serious questions about Concord's prospects, especially with its official launch rapidly approaching on August 23rd. It's important to note that the Steam numbers for Marvel Rivals don't include PlayStation players.
As of July 25th, Marvel Rivals reached a peak of 52,671 concurrent players on Steam.
Marvel Rivals' Success Highlights Concord's Struggles
Even after its closed and open beta periods, Concord continues to underperform, lagging behind numerous indie titles on Steam's wishlist chart. This low ranking underscores the lukewarm reception of its beta tests. Conversely, 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 price tag for beta participation, excluding PS Plus subscribers who could play for free (requiring a subscription). Its open beta, available to all, only managed to add roughly a thousand more players to its peak count.
In stark contrast, Marvel Rivals is free-to-play, offering open beta access via a simple Steam request.
The competitive hero shooter market is already saturated, and Concord's pricing strategy may have driven players towards free alternatives.
Many gamers express skepticism towards Concord, citing its lack of a distinct identity in a crowded market. While its "Overwatch meets Guardians of the Galaxy" aesthetic initially drew attention, it failed to capture the charm of either franchise, unlike Marvel Rivals, which benefits from a powerful, recognizable IP.
However, the success of titles like Apex Legends and Valorant proves that brand recognition isn't always crucial for building a large player base, and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League's performance (13,459 peak players) shows that a strong IP alone isn't a guarantee of success.
Although comparing Concord and Marvel Rivals might seem unfair given the latter's established IP, both being hero shooters highlights the intense competition Concord faces.
