NetEase's Marvel Rivals has significantly outpaced Sony and Firewalk Studios' Concord in beta player numbers.
Marvel Rivals' Beta Dominates Concord
A Massive Player Count Disparity
Within just 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 potential PlayStation players, further highlighting the substantial difference. This stark contrast raises concerns about Concord's prospects, especially with its August 23rd release date approaching.
Contrasting Fortunes: Marvel Rivals' Success vs. Concord's Struggles
Even after its closed and open beta phases, Concord continues to underperform, lagging behind numerous indie titles on Steam's wishlist chart. This low ranking reflects poor beta reception. Conversely, Marvel Rivals enjoys a prominent position within the top 14, alongside titles like Dune: Awakening and Sid Meier's Civilization VII.
Concord's struggles are exacerbated by its $40 Early Access beta price tag, excluding many potential players. While PS Plus members received free access, the subscription cost presents a barrier. The open beta, accessible to all, only saw a thousand player increase.
In sharp contrast, Marvel Rivals offers free-to-play access, significantly broadening its reach. While a sign-up is required for the closed beta, access is readily granted.
The competitive hero shooter market is saturated, and Concord's pricing strategy may have driven players to alternatives.
Concord's lack of a distinct identity in a crowded market contributes to its underwhelming performance. While its "Overwatch meets Guardians of the Galaxy" aesthetic initially attracted attention, it failed to capture the charm of either franchise.
Although successful live-service shooters like Apex Legends and Valorant demonstrate that brand recognition isn't always crucial, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League's comparatively modest peak of 13,459 players shows that a strong IP alone isn't a guarantee of success.
While comparing Concord to Marvel Rivals, leveraging a well-known IP, might seem unfair, both being hero shooters highlights the competitive landscape Concord faces.
