NetEase's Marvel Rivals has significantly outpaced Sony and Firewalk Studios' Concord in beta player numbers.

Marvel Rivals Dominates Concord in Beta Player Count

A Massive Disparity: 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 2,388. As of July 25th, Marvel Rivals' Steam peak reached 52,671. This figure excludes PlayStation players, suggesting the actual disparity is even greater. This stark contrast raises serious concerns about Concord's prospects, especially with its August 23rd release date approaching.

Marvel Rivals Flourishes While Concord Struggles

Despite its closed and open beta phases, Concord's performance remains underwhelming, lagging behind numerous indie titles on Steam's wishlist chart. This indicates low demand. Conversely, Marvel Rivals enjoys a prominent position within the top 14 most-wishlisted games, alongside titles like Dune: Awakening and Sid Meier's Civilization VII.

Concord's struggles are compounded by its $40 Early Access beta price tag, excluding many potential players. While PS Plus subscribers had free access, the subscription cost presents a barrier. Even after its open beta, player numbers only increased by a thousand.

In sharp contrast, Marvel Rivals is free-to-play, requiring only a simple Steam access request.

The competitive hero shooter market is saturated, and Concord's pricing strategy may have driven players towards alternatives.

Concord's lack of a distinct identity in a crowded market has also contributed to its underwhelming reception. Unlike Marvel Rivals, which benefits from a recognizable IP, Concord's "Overwatch meets Guardians of the Galaxy" aesthetic, while initially intriguing, failed to capture the charm of either franchise.

While successful live-service shooters like Apex Legends and Valorant prove a strong brand isn't always crucial, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League's peak of 13,459 players demonstrates that a powerful 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.