EA Plans Apex Legends 2.0 Post-Battlefield Release

As Respawn’s battle royale game, Apex Legends, approaches its sixth anniversary, EA has acknowledged that the game is underperforming financially. In a recent financial call discussing third-quarter results, EA revealed that Apex Legends net bookings have declined year-over-year, although they met the company's expectations.

During a Q&A session with analysts, EA CEO Andrew Wilson provided insights into Apex Legends' performance, stating that while the game boasts millions of players and is beloved by its core community, it isn't generating the revenue EA desires. Wilson highlighted the game's success, mentioning that over 200 million people have played Apex Legends since its launch. However, he noted that the business trajectory hasn't been aligning with EA's goals for some time, prompting continuous efforts to enhance and test various aspects of the game.

Wilson outlined three core areas of focus for Apex Legends: supporting the dedicated community with quality-of-life improvements, anti-cheat measures, and new content; expanding the player base; and ensuring the core experience remains engaging. Despite some progress, Wilson admitted that the improvements have not been as substantial as hoped.

To address the financial downturn, EA is planning a significant update dubbed Apex Legends 2.0. This update aims to reinvigorate the franchise, attract new players, and boost revenue. However, Wilson emphasized that Apex Legends 2.0 will not launch alongside the upcoming Battlefield game, expected before April 2026. Instead, Apex Legends 2.0 is slated for release sometime during EA's 2027 fiscal year, ending in March 2027.

Wilson expressed confidence in Apex Legends' long-term potential, likening it to other enduring EA franchises. He assured that the team is committed to supporting the tens of millions of dedicated players and is working on a major update that will follow the Battlefield launch. Looking further ahead, EA envisions an even more significant update that will continue to expand the franchise and cater to both competitive and new players.

The concept of Apex Legends 2.0 draws parallels with Activision's approach to Call of Duty: Warzone, which saw a 2.0 version in 2022. While the effectiveness of such a move remains debated, EA is mindful of its competitors' strategies in the battle royale genre as it seeks to grow its player base.

Currently, Apex Legends remains a top-played game on Steam, based on concurrent player counts, though it has passed its peak on Valve’s platform and is trending towards record lows.