Marvel Rivals Beta Surges Past Concord in Popularity

Marvel Rivals Beta Crushes Concord's Player Numbers in Just 48 Hours

NetEase Games' Marvel Rivals has significantly outperformed Sony and Firewalk Studios' Concord in beta player counts, achieving a remarkable lead in just two days.

A Staggering Difference: 50,000 vs. 2,000

While Concord peaked at approximately 2,388 concurrent players, Marvel Rivals boasts a five-figure player count exceeding 50,000 on Steam alone – and this doesn't include players on other platforms. This massive disparity raises significant questions about Concord's prospects, especially with its official launch fast approaching on August 23rd. As of July 25th, Marvel Rivals reached a peak of 52,671 concurrent players on Steam.

Marvel Rivals Soars While Concord Struggles for Traction

Even after its closed and open beta periods, Concord continues to lag behind numerous indie titles on Steam's wishlist chart, indicating a lackluster reception. In stark contrast, Marvel Rivals enjoys a prominent position among top contenders like Dune: Awakening and Sid Meier's Civilization VII.

Concord's struggles are compounded by its $40 price tag for Early Access beta participation, a barrier absent in Marvel Rivals' free-to-play model. While PS Plus subscribers could access the beta for free, the subscription cost itself presents a hurdle. Even after opening the beta to all players, Concord only saw a modest thousand-player increase.

Marvel Rivals, conversely, offers free access to its closed beta via a simple Steam request.

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

Many gamers express skepticism towards Concord due to its lack of a distinct identity within a crowded market. Unlike Marvel Rivals, which leverages a powerful and recognizable IP, Concord struggles to establish its own unique appeal. While initially described as a blend of Overwatch and Guardians of the Galaxy, many feel it fails to capture the charm of either franchise.

The success of titles like Apex Legends and Valorant proves that a well-known brand isn't always crucial for success, but as Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League's performance (peaking at 13,459 players) demonstrates, a strong IP is no guarantee.

While comparing the two directly might seem unfair given Marvel’s established IP, both games compete within the same genre, highlighting the challenges Concord faces.