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

In a stunning display of player engagement, Marvel Rivals has significantly outpaced Sony and Firewalk Studios’ Concord in terms of player count, showcasing a remarkable difference right from the start of its beta phase.

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

Within just two days of its beta launch, NetEase Games’ Marvel Rivals has surpassed Concord’s peak player count by an overwhelming margin, reaching over 50,000 players. Concord, on the other hand, peaked at a modest 2,388 concurrent players. As of July 25, Marvel Rivals has hit a peak of 52,671 concurrent players on Steam alone.

It's important to acknowledge that these Steam figures do not account for PlayStation players, which likely adds a significant number to Marvel Rivals' total. The dramatic difference in beta performance has sparked concerns about Concord’s future, especially as its official release approaches on August 23.

Marvel Rivals Thrives, Yet Concord Struggles to Find Footing

Despite undergoing both closed and open beta phases, Concord continues to lag behind, even ranking below many indie titles without set release dates on Steam's most-wishlisted chart. This chart is a key indicator of a game's demand, and Concord's low ranking suggests a lukewarm response to its beta tests. Meanwhile, Marvel Rivals enjoys a strong position at the top 14, alongside notable titles like Dune: Awakening and Sid Meier's Civilization VII.

Concord's situation is compounded by its Early Access beta being accessible only to those who pre-ordered the game for $40. While PS Plus members could participate for free, this still requires a costly subscription. The subsequent open beta, although open to all, only managed to increase the peak player count by a mere thousand.

In stark contrast, Marvel Rivals offers a free-to-play model from the outset. The closed beta merely requires a sign-up, and access is typically granted upon requesting through the game’s Steam page.

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

Concord's struggle to differentiate itself in a saturated market has led to skepticism among gamers. While it aims for an "Overwatch meets Guardians of the Galaxy" vibe, many feel it lacks the unique charm of those established franchises.

However, the success stories of live-service shooters like Apex Legends and Valorant indicate that a well-known brand isn't a prerequisite for a robust player base. Conversely, the underwhelming performance of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, with its peak at 13,459 players, shows that even a strong IP doesn't guarantee success.

Although comparing Concord directly to Marvel Rivals might seem unfair given the latter's more recognizable IP, both games compete within the same hero shooter market, highlighting the challenges Concord faces.