EA's Apex Legends: A Sixth Birthday and a 2.0 Reboot?

As Apex Legends approaches its sixth anniversary, EA acknowledges the game's underperformance despite its massive player base. While boasting over 200 million players, the title's revenue isn't meeting EA's expectations. CEO Andrew Wilson confirmed this in a recent financial call, stating that Apex Legends' net bookings have fallen year-on-year, although aligning with projected figures.

Wilson highlighted the game's continued support, focusing on three key areas: maintaining a positive player experience through quality-of-life improvements and anti-cheat measures; consistent creation of new content; and the development of significant updates. While progress has been made, it hasn't reached the desired level.

The solution? A major overhaul dubbed "Apex Legends 2.0." This ambitious update aims to revitalize the franchise, attract new players, and ultimately boost revenue. However, its release is strategically planned for after the next Battlefield title, likely sometime in EA's 2027 fiscal year (ending March 2027).

Wilson emphasized the long-term vision for Apex Legends, comparing it to other successful franchises that have thrived for decades. He stressed EA's continued investment in the game and its substantial player base (tens of millions). Apex 2.0 is envisioned as a significant, but not final, evolution of the game.

This planned reboot bears resemblance to Activision's Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0, which, while controversial, aimed for a similar revitalization. EA will undoubtedly learn from both successes and failures of competitors in the battle royale genre as it navigates Apex Legends' future.

Despite its current trajectory, Apex Legends remains a top performer on Steam in terms of concurrent players (although significantly below its peak). This underscores the need for EA's strategic intervention to maintain its position in the competitive battle royale market.