EA's recent financial call revealed that while Apex Legends boasts a massive player base of over 200 million, its revenue isn't meeting expectations. EA CEO Andrew Wilson acknowledged this, stating that while the game enjoys a dedicated community, its financial trajectory needs improvement. He highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance the core experience through quality-of-life updates, anti-cheat measures, and new content. Despite some progress, Wilson admitted that the results haven't been as substantial 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, its release is planned for after 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, with Apex Legends 2.0 representing a significant, but not final, evolution. The company plans to continue supporting the existing community while attracting new players.
The planned overhaul bears resemblance to Activision's Warzone 2.0 reboot, though the reception to that remains mixed. EA will undoubtedly consider the lessons learned from competitor strategies in the battle royale market. While Apex Legends maintains a strong presence on Steam's concurrent player charts, its player numbers are below their peak, adding urgency to EA's efforts.
