EA's Apex Legends: A Sixth Birthday and a 2.0 Reboot?
As Apex Legends approaches its sixth anniversary, EA acknowledges its underperformance despite a massive player base. In a recent financial call, EA CEO Andrew Wilson confirmed that while the game boasts over 200 million players, its revenue isn't meeting expectations. While the game continues to receive updates and content, the results haven't been as significant as hoped.
To address this, EA is developing "Apex Legends 2.0," a major update aimed at revitalizing the franchise, attracting new players, and boosting revenue. However, the launch is strategically planned for after the release of the next Battlefield title, likely sometime in EA's 2027 fiscal year.
Wilson emphasized EA's long-term commitment to Apex Legends, envisioning it as a franchise with a lifespan of decades. Apex 2.0 is not intended as a final iteration but rather a significant overhaul to enhance the overall gaming experience and attract new player communities. The company plans to continue investing in the core player base while simultaneously working on the larger update.
This strategy mirrors Activision's approach with Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0, although the reception to that reboot remains a point of discussion among fans. EA will undoubtedly be studying the successes and failures of similar battle royale reboots as it navigates this significant update for Apex Legends.
Despite its current trajectory, Apex Legends maintains a strong position on Steam's concurrent player count charts, although it's significantly below its peak. The upcoming 2.0 update represents a crucial step for EA in maintaining Apex Legends' competitive edge in the battle royale market.
