Marvel Rivals has significantly outpaced Sony and Firewalk Studios’ Concord in terms of player engagement, showcasing a remarkable difference in their beta phase performances.
Marvel Rivals Dwarfs Concord’s Beta Player Count
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 astonishing margin. While Concord reached a peak of 2,388 concurrent players, Marvel Rivals has attracted over 50,000 players, with numbers continuing to soar.
As of July 25, Marvel Rivals achieved a peak of 52,671 concurrent players on Steam.
It's important to note that these Steam figures do not account for PlayStation players, who likely contribute a significant portion of the player base. The significant difference in beta performance has raised concerns about Concord's future, especially as its official release date approaches on August 23.
Marvel Rivals Thrives, yet Concord Struggles to Find Footing
Despite undergoing both closed and open beta phases, Concord continues to struggle, ranking far below numerous indie titles on Steam's most-wishlisted chart. Wishlists are a key indicator of a game's demand, and Concord's low ranking suggests an underwhelming response to its beta tests. Meanwhile, Marvel Rivals enjoys a strong position at the top 14, alongside popular titles like Dune: Awakening and Sid Meier's Civilization VII.
Concord's situation is further complicated by its requirement for a $40 pre-order to participate in the Early Access beta. While PS Plus members could access the game for free, this necessitates a costly subscription.
The open beta, which followed a week later and was accessible to all players, only managed to increase the peak player count by a thousand.
In contrast, Marvel Rivals adopts a free-to-play model from the outset. The closed beta requires a simple sign-up, with access generally granted upon requesting it on the game’s Steam page.
The live-service hero shooter market is already crowded, and Concord's high entry price may drive players to seek more accessible alternatives.
Some gamers express skepticism about Concord due to its struggle to differentiate itself in a saturated market. Unlike Marvel Rivals, which benefits from a well-known IP, Concord lacks a distinct identity.
When Sony unveiled Concord's cinematic trailer, its "Overwatch meets Guardians of the Galaxy" aesthetic caught attention. However, many felt it lacked the charm of those established franchises.
Despite this, the success of other live-service shooters like Apex Legends and Valorant shows that a familiar brand isn't always necessary for building a substantial player base. Additionally, the performance of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, with its peak of 13,459 players, illustrates that a strong IP alone does not guarantee success.
While comparing Concord to Marvel Rivals might seem unfair given the latter's more established IP, both being hero shooters highlights the competitive landscape Concord faces.
