EA Pivots to 'Apex Legends 2.0' Post-'Battlefield' Release

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 of over 200 million. While the game meets internal expectations, its revenue (net bookings) is below year-over-year targets. EA CEO Andrew Wilson confirmed the game's financial shortfall, emphasizing the need for a significant overhaul.

Wilson outlined a three-pronged approach: continued community support (including quality-of-life improvements and anti-cheat measures), ongoing content creation, and a major game update dubbed "Apex Legends 2.0." While progress has been made, it hasn't been sufficient to meet EA's financial goals.

Apex Legends 2.0 is envisioned as a revitalization strategy, attracting new players and boosting revenue. However, its release is strategically planned for after the next Battlefield title, likely sometime in EA's 2027 fiscal year (ending March 2027). This avoids a clash with the Battlefield launch and allows for focused marketing.

Wilson expressed confidence in Apex Legends' long-term potential, comparing it to other successful franchises that have thrived for decades. He emphasized continued investment in the existing community (tens of millions of players) and the development of a larger, more impactful update beyond 2.0. This long-term vision suggests Apex Legends 2.0 won't be the final iteration of the game.

The planned Apex Legends 2.0 update bears resemblance to Activision's Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 reboot. While the success of Warzone 2.0 remains debated, EA will carefully consider the competitive landscape as it strives to expand Apex Legends' player base and reignite its financial performance. Despite a decline in concurrent players on Steam (though remaining a top performer), Apex Legends faces the challenge of reversing its downward trajectory.