Apex Legends Isn’t Doing the Business for EA, So It’s Making Apex Legends 2.0 to Come Out After Battlefield

As Apex Legends approaches its sixth anniversary, Electronic Arts (EA) has acknowledged that the game's financial performance has not met their expectations. In a recent financial call discussing third-quarter results, EA revealed that Apex Legends net bookings were down year-over-year, though they aligned with the company's projections.

During a Q&A session with analysts, EA CEO Andrew Wilson provided insights into the game's performance. He emphasized that while Apex Legends boasts a massive player base of over 200 million, the game's revenue trajectory has been disappointing. Wilson stated, "Apex is probably one of the great new launches in our industry over the last decade and has been loved by that core cohort... However, the trajectory of the business of that franchise has not been headed in the direction that we have wanted for some time."

To address these financial challenges, EA is developing a significant update, dubbed Apex Legends 2.0. This update aims to revitalize the franchise, attract new players, and boost revenue. Wilson explained that the development is focused on three key areas: enhancing the core experience for the existing community, improving quality-of-life features and anti-cheat measures, and creating new content. Despite some progress, Wilson admitted that the improvements have not been as substantial as hoped.

Regarding the timeline for Apex Legends 2.0, Wilson clarified that it will not coincide with the release of the next 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 the long-term potential of Apex Legends, envisioning it as a franchise that could endure for decades, much like other successful EA titles.

Wilson's vision for Apex Legends includes not only supporting the existing community of tens of millions of players but also expanding the game to attract new audiences. He emphasized EA's commitment to the game and its community, stating, "The team remains incredibly committed. We continue to invest behind the core community... We do believe that there should be a more major update that will probably happen after a Battlefield launch."

The concept of Apex Legends 2.0 draws parallels to Activision's approach with Call of Duty: Warzone, which saw a significant update with its 2.0 version in 2022. While the success of such a move remains debated among Warzone fans, EA is likely considering these industry precedents as they plan to expand Apex Legends' player base.

Despite its financial struggles, Apex Legends remains a top-played game on Steam, though it has not reached its previous peak player counts and is trending towards new lows. EA's strategy with Apex Legends 2.0 will be crucial in reversing this trend and ensuring the game's long-term success.