Marvel Beta Beats Concord

NetEase Games' Marvel Rivals has significantly outpaced Sony and Firewalk Studios' Concord in beta player numbers, demonstrating a considerable disparity.

Marvel Rivals' Beta Dominates Concord

A Striking Player Count 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 remains robust and continues to grow.

As of July 25th, Marvel Rivals reached a peak of 52,671 concurrent players on Steam alone. It's important to note this figure excludes PlayStation players, a potentially substantial portion of the total player count. However, the dramatic difference in beta performance raises concerns about Concord's prospects, especially with its official launch date approaching on August 23rd.

Marvel Rivals Flourishes While Concord Faces Challenges

Even after its closed and open beta phases, Concord continues to struggle, lagging behind numerous indie titles on Steam's wishlist chart. This low ranking reflects 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 received free access, this requires a paid subscription. The open beta, available to all players a week later, only saw a thousand-player increase in peak concurrent users.

In contrast, Marvel Rivals' free-to-play model and readily accessible beta signup (via a simple "Request Access" button on Steam) contributed significantly to its success.

The competitive hero shooter market is saturated, and Concord's high price point may have driven players to seek alternatives.

Many gamers express skepticism towards Concord, citing its lack of a distinct identity in a crowded market. Unlike Marvel Rivals, which leverages a recognizable and popular IP, Concord's brand recognition is comparatively weak.

While initially praised for its "Overwatch meets Guardians of the Galaxy" aesthetic, many felt it lacked the charm of either franchise.

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 highlights that a powerful IP alone doesn't guarantee success.

While comparing Concord to Marvel Rivals might seem unfair given the latter's established IP, both being hero shooters underscores the intense competition Concord faces.