Marvel Rivals has significantly outperformed Sony and Firewalk Studios’ Concord in terms of player engagement, with a striking difference in player counts.
Marvel Rivals Dwarfs Concord’s Beta Player Count
Marvel Rivals’ 50,000 players to Concord’s 2,000
In just two days of its beta launch, NetEase Games’ Marvel Rivals has far exceeded Concord’s peak player count, reaching over 50,000 concurrent players. In contrast, Concord peaked at just 2,388 players. Marvel Rivals continues to see its player numbers soar into the five digits, showing no signs of slowing down.
As of July 25, Marvel Rivals hit a peak of 52,671 concurrent players on Steam.
It's important to note that these figures are from Steam alone and do not include PlayStation players, who likely contribute a significant portion of the player base. The vast difference in beta performance between the two games has sparked concerns about Concord's future, especially as its official release 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 well below many indie titles on Steam's most-wishlisted chart. Wishlists are a key indicator of a game's demand, and Concord's low ranking suggests a tepid reception to its beta tests. On the other hand, Marvel Rivals enjoys a strong position at the top 14 of the chart, alongside titles like Dune: Awakening and Sid Meier's Civilization VII.
Concord's challenges are compounded by its requirement for players to pre-order the game at $40 to participate in its Early Access beta. While PS Plus members could access the game for free, this necessitates a costly subscription.
The game's open beta, which followed a week later and was available to all players, only managed to boost its peak player count by a thousand.
In contrast, Marvel Rivals adopts a free-to-play model from the outset. Its closed beta requires a sign-up, but access is typically granted to players who request it on the game’s Steam page.
The live-service hero shooter genre is already crowded, and Concord's high entry price might push players towards other options.
Some gamers have expressed skepticism about Concord due to its struggle to differentiate itself in an oversaturated 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 franchises.
Despite this, the success of live-service shooters like Apex Legends and Valorant shows that a familiar brand isn't always necessary for building a large player base. Conversely, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League's peak of 13,459 players illustrates that a strong IP alone does not guarantee success.
While comparing Concord directly to Marvel Rivals might seem unfair due to the latter's established IP, both being hero shooters highlights the competitive landscape Concord is entering.
