Marvel Game Beta Crushes Rival in Two-Day Battle

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

Marvel Rivals Dominates Concord in Beta Player Count

A Massive Disparity: 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 count remains in the five-digit range and continues to grow.

As of July 25th, Marvel Rivals peaked at 52,671 concurrent players on Steam alone. This figure excludes players on other platforms, suggesting the actual player base is even larger. This stark contrast raises serious questions about Concord's prospects, especially with its official launch date (August 23rd) fast approaching.

Marvel Rivals Flourishes, While Concord Faces Challenges

Even after its closed and open beta periods, Concord continues to struggle, lagging behind numerous indie titles on Steam's most-wishlisted chart. This low wishlist ranking highlights the lukewarm reception of its beta tests. In sharp contrast, Marvel Rivals holds a strong position in the top 14, alongside titles like Dune: Awakening and Sid Meier's Civilization VII.

Concord's struggles are compounded by its $40 early access price tag for beta participation. While PS Plus subscribers could play for free, this access requires a paid subscription.

The open beta, available to all players a week later, only saw a modest increase of about a thousand players.

Marvel Rivals, on the other hand, 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 high price point may have driven players to seek alternatives.

Many gamers express skepticism towards Concord, citing its failure to differentiate itself in a crowded market. Unlike Marvel Rivals, which benefits from a well-known IP, Concord lacks a distinct identity.

While its "Overwatch meets Guardians of the Galaxy" aesthetic initially attracted attention, many felt it lacked the charm of those established franchises.

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

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