Marvel Rivals' Beta Outpaces Concord's Player Numbers in Two Days

Marvel Rivals has significantly outperformed Sony and Firewalk Studios’ Concord in terms of player engagement, showcasing a remarkable disparity in beta participation.

Marvel Rivals Dwarfs Concord’s Beta Player Count

Marvel Rivals’ 50,000 players to Concord’s 2,000

In just two days since its beta launch, NetEase Games’ Marvel Rivals has dramatically outpaced Concord’s peak player count, achieving over 50,000 concurrent players. In contrast, Concord reached a peak of only 2,388 players. As of July 25, Marvel Rivals has soared to a peak of 52,671 concurrent players on Steam alone.

It's important to note that these figures do not account for PlayStation players, who likely contribute a significant number to both games. However, the vast difference in beta performance has sparked concerns about Concord’s prospects, particularly with its official release scheduled for August 23.

Marvel Rivals Thrives, yet Concord Struggles to Find Footing

Despite undergoing both closed and open beta phases, Concord, published by Sony, continues to lag behind many indie titles on Steam's most-wishlisted chart. Wishlists are a key indicator of a game's anticipated demand, and Concord’s low ranking underscores the lukewarm reception to its beta phases. Meanwhile, Marvel Rivals enjoys a strong position at the top 14 alongside titles like Dune: Awakening and Sid Meier's Civilization VII.

Concord’s situation is further complicated by its Early Access beta, which required a $40 pre-order. While PS Plus members could access the beta for free, this still necessitates a costly subscription.

The game's open beta, which followed a week later and was accessible to all players, only managed to boost its peak player count by a modest thousand.

In stark contrast, Marvel Rivals adopts a free-to-play model from the outset. Its closed beta simply requires players to sign up, with access generally granted upon requesting through the game’s Steam page.

The live-service hero shooter market is already crowded, and Concord's high entry price may deter potential players seeking more accessible alternatives.

Some gamers express skepticism about Concord due to its lack of distinctiveness in an oversaturated market. Unlike Marvel Rivals, which capitalizes on a well-known IP, Concord struggles to carve out its own identity.

When Sony unveiled Concord’s cinematic trailer, it was often described as a blend of "Overwatch meets Guardians of the Galaxy." However, many felt it lacked the unique charm of those franchises.

Yet, the success of live-service shooters like Apex Legends and Valorant suggests that a familiar brand isn’t always necessary for building a substantial player base. Conversely, the performance of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, with its peak at 13,459 players, indicates that even a strong IP is no guarantee of success.

While comparing Concord directly to Marvel Rivals might seem unfair given the latter's established IP, both games competing in the hero shooter genre highlights the fierce competition Concord faces.