NetEase's Marvel Rivals Shatters Concord's Beta Player Count in Just 48 Hours
Marvel Rivals, NetEase Games' new hero shooter, has dramatically outpaced Sony and Firewalk Studios' Concord in beta player numbers. The disparity is significant.
A Striking Difference in Player Base
Within 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 reached a peak of 52,671 concurrent players on Steam alone. This figure excludes PlayStation players, suggesting the actual player count is considerably higher.
This stark contrast raises concerns about Concord's prospects, especially with its official release date approaching on August 23rd.
Marvel Rivals' Success vs. Concord's Struggles
Even after its closed and open beta phases, Concord continues to struggle, lagging behind numerous indie titles on Steam's wishlist chart. This low ranking reflects the less-than-stellar reception of its beta tests. In stark contrast, Marvel Rivals enjoys a top 14 position alongside highly anticipated titles like Dune: Awakening and Sid Meier's Civilization VII.
Concord's struggles may be attributed to its $40 Early Access price tag for beta participation, a barrier to entry absent in the free-to-play Marvel Rivals. While PS Plus members had free access, the subscription cost remains a hurdle. Despite opening its beta a week later, Concord only saw a thousand-player increase.
Marvel Rivals’ free-to-play model and readily available beta access (via Steam's "Request Access" button) likely contributed to its success.
The saturated hero shooter market and Concord's high price point may have driven players to seek alternatives.
Brand Recognition and Market Saturation
Concord's lack of a strong, recognizable IP, unlike Marvel Rivals, has also been cited as a contributing factor to its underperformance. While its "Overwatch meets Guardians of the Galaxy" aesthetic initially drew attention, it failed to capture the charm of either franchise.
However, the success of games like Apex Legends and Valorant proves that brand recognition isn't always crucial. Conversely, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League's relatively modest peak of 13,459 players highlights that a strong IP alone doesn't guarantee success.
The comparison between Marvel Rivals and Concord, while seemingly unfair due to the Marvel IP, underscores the competitive landscape Concord faces. Both are hero shooters, highlighting the challenges of breaking into an established market.
