Marvel Rivals Surges in Popularity, Outpacing Rival Game

NetEase Games' Marvel Rivals Shatters Expectations, Outperforming Concord's Beta

Marvel Rivals, NetEase Games' new hero shooter, has significantly outpaced Sony and Firewalk Studios' Concord in beta player numbers. The disparity is dramatic.

A Staggering Difference in Player Counts

Within just two days of its beta launch, Marvel Rivals boasted over 50,000 concurrent players on Steam, dwarfing Concord's peak of approximately 2,388. As of July 25th, Marvel Rivals reached a peak of 52,671 concurrent players on Steam alone; the actual number is likely higher, as this figure excludes PlayStation players.

This stark contrast raises concerns about Concord's prospects, especially with its official launch date fast 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 a less-than-enthusiastic reception to its beta tests. Conversely, Marvel Rivals enjoys a prominent position within the top 14 most-wishlisted games, alongside titles such as Dune: Awakening and Sid Meier's Civilization VII.

A key differentiator is the pricing model. Concord required a $40 pre-order for Early Access beta participation, with limited free access for PS Plus subscribers. Marvel Rivals, however, is free-to-play, requiring only a simple Steam access request.

Market Saturation and Brand Recognition

The crowded hero shooter market and Concord's high price point may have deterred potential players. While Marvel Rivals benefits from its recognizable Marvel IP, Concord's identity remains less defined. Although its "Overwatch meets Guardians of the Galaxy" aesthetic initially drew attention, it failed to capture the charm of either franchise.

The success of games like Apex Legends and Valorant demonstrates that a strong brand isn't always crucial for success, while Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League's performance (peaking at 13,459 players) highlights that a powerful IP alone doesn't guarantee a large player base.

While comparing the two games might seem unfair given Marvel's established brand, both being hero shooters underscores the competitive landscape Concord faces. Marvel Rivals' impressive beta performance serves as a powerful indicator of the challenges ahead for Concord.