In a striking display of popularity, NetEase Games' Marvel Rivals has quickly outpaced Sony and Firewalk Studios' Concord in terms of player engagement. Just two days into its beta, Marvel Rivals has attracted a peak of 52,671 concurrent players on Steam, vastly outnumbering Concord's modest peak of 2,388.
Marvel Rivals’ 50,000 Players to Concord’s 2,000
As of July 25, Marvel Rivals has demonstrated an impressive performance, reaching a peak of 52,671 concurrent players on Steam. It's important to note that these figures do not account for players on PlayStation, where Concord also has a presence. The significant disparity in player counts has sparked concerns about Concord's future, especially with its official release date set for August 23.
Marvel Rivals Thrives, yet Concord Struggles to Find Footing
Despite undergoing both closed and open beta phases, Concord has struggled to gain traction. It ranks well below many indie titles on Steam's most-wishlisted chart, a clear sign of its lukewarm reception. In contrast, Marvel Rivals holds a strong position at the top 14, alongside notable titles like Dune: Awakening and Sid Meier's Civilization VII.
Concord's challenges are compounded by its pricing strategy. Players needed to pre-order the game for $40 to participate in its Early Access beta, while PS Plus members could access it for free, albeit with a costly subscription. The subsequent open beta, available to all, only managed to boost its peak player count by a thousand.
On the other hand, Marvel Rivals adopts a free-to-play model from the outset. While the closed beta requires a sign-up, access is readily granted upon requesting it on the game's Steam page. This approach seems to resonate better with players in the crowded live-service hero shooter genre, where Concord's $40 price tag might deter potential players.
Concord's struggle to differentiate itself in an oversaturated market has led to skepticism among gamers. Its "Overwatch meets Guardians of the Galaxy" aesthetic, while initially eye-catching, has been criticized for lacking the charm of its inspirations. However, the success of other live-service shooters like Apex Legends and Valorant shows that a well-known IP isn't always necessary for building a large player base. Conversely, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League's peak of 13,459 players illustrates that a strong IP alone does not ensure success.
Although comparing Concord to Marvel Rivals might seem unfair given the latter's more established IP, both games belong to the same genre, highlighting the competitive landscape Concord must navigate.
