Marvel Rivals' beta has significantly outperformed Sony and Firewalk Studios' Concord in player numbers, achieving a remarkable lead.

Marvel Rivals Drastically Outpaces Concord's Beta Player Count

A 50,000 Player Gap: Marvel Rivals vs. Concord

Within just two days of its beta launch, NetEase Games' Marvel Rivals boasted over 50,000 concurrent players—a staggering contrast to Concord's peak of 2,388. Marvel Rivals' player count continues its impressive ascent, showing no signs of slowing.

As of July 25th, Marvel Rivals reached a peak of 52,671 concurrent players on Steam alone. It's important to note that this figure excludes players on other platforms, suggesting the actual player count is even higher. This stark difference in beta performance raises serious concerns about Concord's prospects, especially with its official launch on August 23rd rapidly approaching.

Marvel Rivals Flourishes While Concord Struggles to Gain Traction

Even after its closed and open beta phases, Concord continues to struggle, lagging significantly behind numerous indie titles on Steam's most-wishlisted chart. This low ranking highlights the underwhelming reception of its beta tests. In stark contrast, Marvel Rivals comfortably sits within the top 14, alongside anticipated titles like Dune: Awakening and Sid Meier's Civilization VII.

Concord's struggles are compounded by its $40 pre-order requirement for Early Access beta participation. While PS Plus subscribers gained free access, this still necessitates a paid subscription.

The game's open beta, launched a week later and accessible to all players, only managed to increase its peak player count by a mere thousand.

In comparison, Marvel Rivals is free-to-play, offering open access via a simple Steam request. While a sign-up is required for the closed beta, access is generally granted readily.

The competitive hero shooter market is already saturated. Concord's high price point may have inadvertently driven players towards more accessible alternatives.

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

While its "Overwatch meets Guardians of the Galaxy" aesthetic initially attracted attention, many found it lacking the charm of either franchise.

However, the success of games like Apex Legends and Valorant demonstrates that a strong brand isn't always crucial for building a substantial player base. Conversely, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, with its peak of 13,459 players, proves that a powerful IP alone doesn't guarantee success.

Although comparing Concord to Marvel Rivals might seem unfair due to the latter's established IP, both being hero shooters highlights the intense competition Concord faces.