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

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 the game boasts over 200 million players, its 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-over-year, although remaining within projected figures.

Wilson highlighted the game's continued community support, focusing on quality-of-life improvements, anti-cheat measures, and new content creation. He admitted that progress in these areas hasn't been as substantial as hoped.

The solution? EA is developing a significant update, dubbed "Apex Legends 2.0," aiming to revitalize the franchise, attract new players, and boost revenue. However, the launch is strategically planned to avoid conflicting with the next Battlefield title, slated for release before April 2026. Therefore, Apex Legends 2.0 is anticipated sometime during 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 endured for decades. He reiterated EA's continued investment in the game and its community, which still numbers in the tens of millions. The "Apex 2.0" update is not intended as the final iteration of the game, but rather a significant step towards its continued evolution and growth.

The planned overhaul bears resemblance to Activision's Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 reboot in 2022. While the success of that strategy remains debated, EA is undoubtedly aware of the competitive landscape and potential pitfalls as they strive to expand Apex Legends' player base and financial performance.

Despite its current trajectory, Apex Legends maintains a strong presence on Steam, consistently ranking among the top-played games based on concurrent player counts. However, its peak player numbers are firmly in the past, and it's currently on a path toward record lows on Valve's platform.