Marvel Rivals Beta Shatters Expectations

Marvel Rivals has significantly outperformed Sony and Firewalk Studios' Concord in player count, achieving a remarkable lead.

Marvel Rivals' Stunning Beta Player Count Domination

A 50,000 Player Lead: Marvel Rivals vs. Concord

Within just two days of its beta launch, NetEase Games' Marvel Rivals surpassed Concord's peak player count, boasting over 50,000 concurrent players compared to Concord's 2,388. Marvel Rivals' player numbers remain impressively high and show no signs of slowing. As of July 25th, Marvel Rivals reached a peak of 52,671 concurrent players on Steam alone. It's important to note this figure excludes PlayStation players, a potentially substantial portion of Concord's player base. However, the dramatic difference in beta performance raises significant concerns about Concord's prospects, especially with its official launch date fast approaching on August 23rd.

Marvel Rivals Flourishes While Concord Struggles

Even after its closed and open beta phases, Concord continues to struggle, lagging behind numerous indie titles on Steam's most-wishlisted chart. This low ranking reflects the underwhelming reception of its beta tests. In contrast, Marvel Rivals enjoys a prominent position in the top 14, alongside titles like Dune: Awakening and Sid Meier's Civilization VII.

Concord's challenges are compounded by its $40 Early Access beta price tag, requiring pre-orders. While PS Plus members received free access, this necessitates a paid subscription. The open beta, available to all players a week later, only managed a modest increase of around a thousand players.

Marvel Rivals, conversely, is free-to-play. While its closed beta required sign-up, access was readily granted upon request via Steam.

The competitive live-service hero shooter market is already crowded, and Concord's high price point may have driven players towards free alternatives.

Some gamers express skepticism towards Concord due to its lack of a distinct identity in a saturated market. Unlike Marvel Rivals, which leverages a powerful and recognizable IP, Concord struggles to define itself. While its "Overwatch meets Guardians of the Galaxy" aesthetic initially caught attention, many feel it lacks the charm of either franchise.

However, the success of games like Apex Legends and Valorant demonstrates that a strong IP isn't always crucial for building a large player base. Conversely, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League's peak of 13,459 players highlights that a strong IP alone isn't a guarantee of success.

While comparing Concord to Marvel Rivals might seem unfair given the latter's established IP, both being hero shooters underscores the competitive landscape Concord faces.