Marvel Rivals' Beta Outshines Concord in Player Numbers Within Days

Marvel Rivals has significantly outshone Sony and Firewalk Studios’ Concord in terms of player engagement, and the difference is striking.

Marvel Rivals Dwarfs Concord’s Beta Player Count

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

Merely two days into its beta launch, NetEase Games’ Marvel Rivals has already surpassed Concord’s peak player count by an impressive margin, reaching over 50,000 concurrent players. In contrast, Concord's peak was a modest 2,388 players. Marvel Rivals continues to soar into five-digit numbers with no signs of slowing down.

As of July 25, Marvel Rivals achieved a peak of 52,671 concurrent players on Steam alone.

It's important to note that these Steam figures do not account for PlayStation players, who likely contribute a significant number to the total. Nonetheless, the dramatic disparity between the two games' beta performances has raised concerns about Concord's future, especially 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, ranking well below many indie titles yet to announce release dates on Steam's most-wishlisted chart. Wishlists are a key indicator of a game's demand, and Concord's low ranking underscores the lukewarm reception to its beta tests. Meanwhile, Marvel Rivals enjoys a strong position at the top 14, alongside titles like Dune: Awakening and Sid Meier's Civilization VII.

Concord's challenges are compounded by its requirement for a $40 pre-order to participate in the Early Access beta. While PS Plus members can access it for free, this still necessitates a costly subscription.

The game's open beta, launched a week later and available to all players, only managed to boost its peak player count by a thousand.

In stark contrast, Marvel Rivals adopts a free-to-play model from the outset. Its closed beta is accessible to those who sign up, with access typically granted upon requesting it on the game’s Steam page.

The live-service hero shooter genre is already crowded, and Concord's high entry price may push players toward other options.

Concord has faced skepticism from gamers due to its struggle to differentiate itself in an oversaturated market. Unlike Marvel Rivals, which benefits from a well-known IP, Concord lacks a clear identity.

The game's aesthetic, described as "Overwatch meets Guardians of the Galaxy," caught attention when Sony unveiled its cinematic trailer. However, it has been criticized for lacking the charm of the two referenced franchises.

Despite this, the success of other live-service shooters like Apex Legends and Valorant proves that a familiar brand isn't crucial for building a large player base. Furthermore, as seen with Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, which peaked at 13,459 players, a strong IP alone does not ensure success.

While it may seem unfair to compare Concord directly to Marvel Rivals given the latter's more recognized IP, both being hero shooters highlights the competitive market Concord is entering.