NetEase's 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 Count

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 approximately 2,388. Marvel Rivals' player base remains substantial and continues to grow.

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

Marvel Rivals Flourishes While Concord Faces Challenges

Even after its closed and open beta phases, Concord struggles to gain traction, lagging behind numerous indie titles on Steam's most-wishlisted chart. This low wishlist ranking reflects the underwhelming reception of its beta tests. In stark contrast, Marvel Rivals enjoys a top 14 position, 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 members received free access, this requires a paid subscription. The open beta, available to all, only saw a modest thousand-player increase in peak concurrent users.

Conversely, Marvel Rivals offers free-to-play access. While the closed beta required sign-up, access was generally readily granted.

The saturated hero shooter market, coupled with Concord's high price point, may have driven players towards alternatives.

Many gamers express skepticism towards Concord, citing its failure to differentiate itself in a crowded market. Unlike Marvel Rivals, which leverages a powerful, recognizable IP, Concord lacks a distinct identity.

While initially praised for its "Overwatch meets Guardians of the Galaxy" aesthetic, many feel it fails to capture the charm of either franchise.

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

Although comparing Concord and Marvel Rivals might seem unfair given the latter's established IP, both being hero shooters highlights the competitive landscape Concord faces.