Marvel Game Dominates Rivals in Player Count

Marvel Rivals Beta's Stunning Success Against Concord

Marvel Rivals has achieved a remarkable feat, significantly outperforming Concord in player numbers during their respective beta phases. The disparity is dramatic, and raises questions about Concord's future prospects.

Marvel Rivals: A Player Count Colossus

Within just two days of its beta launch, NetEase Games' Marvel Rivals boasted a peak player count exceeding 50,000, dwarfing Concord's peak of approximately 2,388 concurrent players. As of July 25th, Marvel Rivals reached a staggering 52,671 concurrent players on Steam alone, a number that continues to grow. It's important to note that this Steam count doesn't include players on other platforms.

Concord's Struggles and the High Cost of Entry

Even after its closed and open beta tests, Concord, published by Sony, continues to underperform, lagging behind numerous indie titles on Steam's wishlist chart. This low ranking underscores the lukewarm reception to its beta phases. The requirement of a $40 pre-order for Early Access beta participation, with limited free access for PS Plus subscribers, likely contributed to this low engagement. Even after opening the beta to all players, the player count increased by only about a thousand.

In stark contrast, Marvel Rivals' free-to-play model and readily available access (requiring only a simple "Request Access" on Steam) likely contributed significantly to its success.

The Competitive Landscape and Brand Recognition

The hero shooter market is highly competitive. Concord's high price point may have driven players toward free alternatives. Furthermore, unlike Marvel Rivals, which leverages a strong, recognizable IP, Concord struggles with brand identity. While its "Overwatch meets Guardians of the Galaxy" aesthetic initially attracted attention, many felt it lacked the charm of its inspirations.

While the success of titles like Apex Legends and Valorant proves that a well-known IP isn't always crucial, the performance of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League (peaking at 13,459 players) highlights that a strong IP alone doesn't guarantee success.

The comparison between Marvel Rivals and Concord, while seemingly unfair given the former's established IP, underscores the challenges faced by Concord in a saturated market dominated by established brands and free-to-play models.