As Apex Legends approaches its sixth anniversary, EA has openly acknowledged that the game's financial performance isn't meeting the company's expectations. During a recent financial call discussing third-quarter results, EA CEO Andrew Wilson shared insights into the game's current state and future plans, including the ambitious Apex Legends 2.0.
Despite boasting over 200 million players since its launch, Wilson admitted that the revenue from Apex Legends has declined year-over-year, aligning with EA's projections but not fulfilling their aspirations. He emphasized the game's significance in the industry and its dedicated player base, which continues to engage with the game daily.
Wilson outlined three key areas of focus for Apex Legends: enhancing the core experience through quality-of-life improvements and anti-cheat measures, creating new content for the existing community, and exploring ways to increase profitability. While some progress has been made, Wilson noted it hasn't been as substantial as desired.
To address these challenges, EA is developing Apex Legends 2.0, a major update aimed at revitalizing the franchise, attracting new players, and boosting revenue. This update is planned to launch after the next Battlefield game, expected before April 2026, positioning Apex Legends 2.0 for a release sometime during EA's fiscal year ending March 2027.
Wilson expressed confidence in Apex Legends' long-term potential, likening it to other enduring EA franchises. He envisions Apex Legends continuing to evolve and expand, catering to both its core competitive community and new players eager to experience the game's offerings.
The concept of Apex Legends 2.0 draws parallels to Call of Duty: Warzone's 2.0 update, though EA is cautious, considering the mixed reception to such reboots in the battle royale genre. Despite its strong presence on Steam, Apex Legends is seeing a decline in concurrent players, prompting EA to strategize carefully to reverse this trend and secure the game's future.
