Marvel Beta Surges Past Rival

NetEase Games' Marvel Rivals has significantly outpaced Sony and Firewalk Studios' Concord in beta player numbers. The disparity is dramatic.

Marvel Rivals Dominates Concord in Beta Player Counts

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

Within just two days of its beta launch, Marvel Rivals boasted over 50,000 concurrent players, dwarfing Concord's peak of 2,388. Marvel Rivals' player base continues to grow exponentially.

As of July 25th, Marvel Rivals reached a peak of 52,671 concurrent players on Steam alone. This figure excludes players on other platforms, suggesting an even larger overall player count. The substantial difference in beta performance raises concerns about Concord's prospects, especially with its official launch on August 23rd fast approaching.

Marvel Rivals Flourishes While Concord Struggles

Even after its closed and open beta phases, Concord continues to underperform, lagging behind numerous indie titles on Steam's wishlist chart. This low ranking highlights the lukewarm reception of its beta tests. In stark contrast, Marvel Rivals enjoys a prominent position within the top 14 most wishlisted games, alongside titles like Dune: Awakening and Sid Meier's Civilization VII.

Concord's struggles are compounded by its $40 Early Access beta price tag, excluding many potential players. While PS Plus subscribers had free access, the subscription cost presents a barrier. The open beta, accessible to all, only saw a modest thousand-player increase.

Marvel Rivals, conversely, is free-to-play. While its closed beta required sign-up, access was readily granted.

The competitive hero shooter market is already saturated, and Concord's pricing strategy may have driven players towards alternatives.

Many gamers express skepticism towards Concord, citing its lack of a distinct identity in a crowded market. Unlike Marvel Rivals, which leverages a powerful and recognizable IP, Concord struggles to establish its own unique appeal.

While initially described as blending Overwatch and Guardians of the Galaxy, many feel it lacks the charm of either franchise.

However, the success of games like Apex Legends and Valorant demonstrates that strong IP isn't always crucial for success. Conversely, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League's peak of 13,459 players shows that a strong IP alone doesn't guarantee a large player base.

While comparing Concord to Marvel Rivals might seem unfair given the latter's established IP, both are hero shooters, highlighting the competitive landscape Concord faces.