Marvel Rivals Beta Shatters Concord's Player Record

Marvel Rivals' beta launch has significantly outpaced Sony and Firewalk Studios' Concord in player numbers.

Marvel Rivals Dwarfs Concord's Beta Player Count

A Striking Difference: 50,000 vs. 2,000

Within just two days of its beta launch, NetEase Games' Marvel Rivals boasted over 50,000 concurrent players—a figure dwarfing Concord's peak of 2,388. As of July 25th, Marvel Rivals reached a peak of 52,671 concurrent players on Steam alone. It's important to note that this Steam count excludes PlayStation players, a potentially significant portion of Concord's player base. However, the disparity highlights serious concerns about Concord's prospects, especially with its official launch date (August 23rd) fast approaching.

Marvel Rivals Flourishes While Concord Struggles

Even after its closed and open beta phases, Concord continues to lag, significantly underperforming numerous indie titles on Steam's most-wishlisted chart. This low ranking reflects the less-than-enthusiastic reception of its beta tests. In stark contrast, Marvel Rivals comfortably sits 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 price tag for beta participation. While PS Plus subscribers received free access, this still requires a paid subscription. The open beta, available to all players a week later, only saw a thousand-player increase in peak concurrent users.

Marvel Rivals, on the other hand, is free-to-play. While its closed beta required sign-up, access was generally granted upon request via Steam.

The competitive hero shooter market is already saturated. Concord's high price point may have driven players towards more accessible alternatives.

Skepticism towards Concord stems from its struggle to differentiate itself in a crowded market. Unlike Marvel Rivals, which leverages a powerful and recognizable IP, Concord lacks a distinct identity. While its "Overwatch meets Guardians of the Galaxy" aesthetic initially garnered attention, many found it lacking the charm of its inspirations.

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

Comparing Concord to Marvel Rivals might seem unfair given the latter's established IP. However, both being hero shooters highlights the intense competition Concord faces.