Marvel Rival Is Hitting New Heights

NetEase's Marvel Rivals has significantly outpaced Sony and Firewalk Studios' Concord in beta player numbers, showcasing a considerable disparity in player engagement.

Marvel Rivals' Beta Player Count Far Exceeds Concord

A Striking Difference: 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. This substantial difference raises concerns about Concord's prospects, especially with its official launch approaching on August 23rd. Marvel Rivals' Steam peak, as of July 25th, reached 52,671 concurrent players. It's important to note that this Steam count excludes PlayStation players, a potentially significant portion of the Marvel Rivals player base.

Marvel Rivals Flourishes While Concord Faces Challenges

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 reflects the less-than-enthusiastic reception of its beta tests. In contrast, 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, this still required a paid subscription. Even after its open beta, player numbers only increased by a thousand.

Marvel Rivals, conversely, offers free-to-play access from the outset. While its closed beta required sign-up, access was readily granted.

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

Some gamers express skepticism towards Concord due to its lack of a distinctive identity in a crowded market. Unlike Marvel Rivals, which benefits from a recognizable IP, Concord struggles to establish a unique presence. While initially compared to Overwatch and Guardians of the Galaxy, many feel it lacks the charm of those established franchises.

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

While comparing Concord and Marvel Rivals might seem unfair given Marvel's brand recognition, both being hero shooters underscores the intense competition Concord faces.