Marvel Rivals Beta Obliterates Concord's Player Count in Just 48 Hours
Marvel Rivals, from NetEase Games, has significantly outpaced Sony and Firewalk Studios' Concord in player numbers during their respective beta periods. The disparity is dramatic.
A Staggering Difference: 50,000 vs. 2,000
Within two days of its beta launch, Marvel Rivals boasted over 50,000 concurrent players, dwarfing Concord's peak of just 2,388. As of July 25th, Marvel Rivals hit a peak of 52,671 concurrent Steam players. This figure doesn't include PlayStation players, suggesting the actual player count is even higher. This stark contrast raises serious questions about Concord's prospects, particularly with its official launch date (August 23rd) approaching.
Marvel Rivals' Success vs. Concord's Struggle
Even after its closed and open beta phases, Concord continues to struggle, lagging behind numerous indie titles on Steam's most-wishlisted chart. This low ranking on the wishlist reflects weak beta reception. Conversely, Marvel Rivals enjoys a strong position in the top 14, alongside titles like Dune: Awakening and Sid Meier's Civilization VII.
Concord's challenges are compounded by its $40 Early Access beta price tag, excluding many potential players. While PS Plus subscribers received free access, the subscription cost acts as a barrier. The open beta, though free, only added a thousand players to the peak count.
In stark contrast, Marvel Rivals is free-to-play, with beta access easily obtained through a simple Steam request.
The competitive hero shooter market is already saturated, and Concord's high price point likely pushed many players towards free alternatives.
Brand Recognition and Market Positioning
Many gamers are skeptical of Concord due to its lack of a distinct identity in a crowded market. While its initial marketing highlighted an "Overwatch meets Guardians of the Galaxy" aesthetic, many felt it lacked the charm of those established franchises. Marvel Rivals, leveraging the well-known Marvel IP, benefits from instant recognition.
However, the success of games like Apex Legends and Valorant proves that brand recognition isn't always crucial. Simultaneously, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League's performance (13,459 peak players) shows that a strong IP doesn't guarantee success.
While directly comparing Concord and Marvel Rivals might seem unfair due to the latter's stronger IP, both being hero shooters highlights the intense competition Concord faces.
