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. While boasting over 200 million players, the game's revenue isn't meeting EA's expectations. CEO Andrew Wilson confirmed this in a recent financial call, highlighting the need for a significant revitalization.

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 substantial enough to satisfy EA.

Apex Legends 2.0 is envisioned as a franchise reinvigorator, 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 emphasized EA's long-term commitment to Apex Legends, aiming to build a franchise that endures for decades, similar to other successful EA titles. Apex 2.0 isn't the end; it's a significant step in the franchise's evolution, intended to attract both existing and new player communities.

The planned overhaul mirrors Activision's approach with Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0. While the success of that reboot remains debated, EA will undoubtedly learn from its competitors' experiences in the competitive battle royale market.

Despite its current trajectory, Apex Legends remains a top-performing game on Steam in terms of concurrent players. However, its player count has significantly decreased from its peak, prompting the need for a substantial intervention like Apex Legends 2.0.