Marvel Rivals’ Beta Surpasses Concord’s Player Count in Just Two Days

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 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 shows strong growth.

As of July 25th, Marvel Rivals peaked at 52,671 concurrent players on Steam, excluding PlayStation players. This substantial difference raises serious questions about Concord's prospects, especially with its official launch date approaching on August 23rd.

Marvel Rivals Flourishes While Concord Struggles

Even after its closed and open beta periods, Concord continues to underperform, lagging behind many indie titles on Steam's wishlist chart. This low ranking reflects a less-than-enthusiastic response to its beta tests. In stark contrast, Marvel Rivals enjoys a top 14 position, alongside titles like Dune: Awakening and Sid Meier's Civilization VII.

Concord's struggles are compounded by its $40 Early Access beta price, excluding PS Plus subscribers who could play for free. Its open beta, available to all, only saw a modest thousand-player increase.

In contrast, Marvel Rivals' free-to-play model and easily accessible closed beta (via Steam's "Request Access" feature) likely contributed to its success.

The crowded hero shooter market, coupled with Concord's price point, may have driven players to seek alternatives. While Marvel Rivals benefits from a recognizable IP, Concord's identity remains unclear. Its "Overwatch meets Guardians of the Galaxy" aesthetic, while initially intriguing, failed to capture the charm of either franchise.

However, the success of titles like Apex Legends and Valorant proves that a strong brand isn't always crucial, and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League's performance (peaking at 13,459 players) shows that a big IP doesn't guarantee success.

Although comparing the two games might seem unfair due to Marvel's brand recognition, both being hero shooters highlights the competitive landscape Concord faces.