NetEase's Marvel Rivals has significantly outpaced Sony and Firewalk Studios' Concord in beta player numbers, achieving a remarkable lead.

Marvel Rivals: A Player Count Domination

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

Within just two days of its beta launch, Marvel Rivals boasted over 50,000 concurrent players, dwarfing Concord's peak of 2,388. This substantial difference raises concerns about Concord's prospects, especially with its official launch rapidly approaching on August 23rd. As of July 25th, Marvel Rivals' Steam peak reached 52,671 players, a figure that doesn't even include players on other platforms.

Contrasting Fortunes: Success vs. Struggle

Concord continues to face challenges, lagging behind many indie titles on Steam's wishlist chart, indicating weak pre-release interest. In stark contrast, Marvel Rivals enjoys a prominent position among top contenders like Dune: Awakening and Sid Meier's Civilization VII.

A key differentiator is accessibility. Concord required a $40 pre-order for beta access, excluding PS Plus subscribers. Marvel Rivals, however, offers free-to-play access, requiring only a simple sign-up.

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

Concord's struggle to establish a unique identity in a crowded market further compounds its challenges. While its "Overwatch meets Guardians of the Galaxy" aesthetic initially drew attention, it failed to capture the charm of either franchise. This highlights that while a strong IP like Marvel can be advantageous, as seen in Marvel Rivals' success, it isn't a guaranteed path to success, as Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League's comparatively lower peak of 13,459 players demonstrates. Ultimately, both games highlight the intense competition within the hero shooter genre.