Marvel Rivals has significantly outperformed Sony and Firewalk Studios' Concord in player count during their respective beta tests.
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. This number excludes players on other platforms, suggesting the actual player count is considerably higher. This stark contrast raises serious questions about Concord's prospects, especially with its official release date (August 23rd) fast approaching.
Marvel Rivals' Success vs. Concord's Struggles
Even after its closed and open beta phases, Concord continues to underperform, lagging behind numerous indie titles on Steam's most-wishlisted chart. This low ranking highlights the underwhelming reception of its beta tests. Conversely, Marvel Rivals enjoys a prominent position within the top 14, alongside titles like Dune: Awakening and Sid Meier's Civilization VII.
Concord's struggles are exacerbated by its $40 pre-order requirement for Early Access beta participation, with only PS Plus subscribers gaining free access. While the open beta expanded access, the player count only saw a modest increase of approximately one thousand.
In stark contrast, Marvel Rivals offers a free-to-play experience. While its closed beta required sign-up, access was readily granted to those requesting it on Steam.
The competitive hero shooter market is already saturated. Concord's high price point may have driven players towards readily available alternatives.
Concord's lack of a distinct identity in a crowded market contributes to its struggles. Unlike Marvel Rivals, which leverages a powerful and recognizable IP, Concord lacks a compelling brand recognition. While its "Overwatch meets Guardians of the Galaxy" aesthetic initially attracted attention, many found it lacking the charm of its inspirations.
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 shows that a powerful IP alone is no guarantee of success.
While comparing Concord to Marvel Rivals might seem unfair given the latter's established IP, both are hero shooters competing in the same demanding market. The disparity in their beta performance underscores the challenges facing Concord.
