As Respawn's battle royale sensation, Apex Legends, approaches its sixth anniversary, Electronic Arts (EA) has acknowledged that the game is underperforming financially. In a recent financial call discussing third-quarter results, EA revealed that Apex Legends' net bookings had declined year-over-year, though the performance aligned with the company's expectations.
During the Q&A segment with financial analysts, EA CEO Andrew Wilson provided insights into the game's situation. He highlighted Apex Legends' significant launch and its dedicated player base, noting that over 200 million individuals have engaged with the game. However, he admitted that the franchise's business trajectory has not met EA's financial goals for some time. Wilson emphasized ongoing efforts to support the community through quality-of-life improvements, anti-cheat measures, and new content, yet acknowledged that the progress has been less than desired.
To address these financial challenges, EA is planning a major overhaul, dubbed Apex Legends 2.0. This update aims to revitalize the game, attract new players, and boost revenue. Wilson clarified that Apex Legends 2.0 will not launch alongside the upcoming Battlefield title, expected before April 2026, but rather sometime after, likely during EA’s fiscal year ending March 2027.
Wilson expressed confidence in Apex Legends' long-term potential, envisioning it as a franchise that could endure for decades, much like other successful EA titles. He underscored the team's commitment to the game and its community, which boasts tens of millions of active players. The development of Apex Legends 2.0 is seen as a crucial step in ensuring the game's continued growth and appeal.
The concept of Apex Legends 2.0 draws parallels to Activision's approach with Call of Duty's Warzone, which underwent a significant update with its 2.0 version in 2022. While the success of such a move remains debated among Warzone's player base, EA is keenly aware of the strategies employed by competitors in the battle royale genre as it seeks to expand Apex Legends' audience.
Despite its financial struggles, Apex Legends continues to be a top-played game on Steam, measured by concurrent player counts. However, the game's popularity on Valve's platform is waning, with player numbers trending towards new lows, far from its historical peak.
