EA's Apex Legends, nearing its sixth anniversary, is facing a financial downturn despite its massive player base. While boasting over 200 million players, EA CEO Andrew Wilson acknowledged during a recent earnings call that the game's revenue isn't meeting expectations. While ongoing support, including anti-cheat measures and new content, continues, the desired growth hasn't been achieved.
To address this, EA is developing "Apex Legends 2.0," a significant update aimed at revitalizing the franchise and attracting new players. This update, however, is slated for release after the next Battlefield title, likely sometime in EA's 2027 fiscal year. Wilson emphasized EA's long-term commitment to the franchise, envisioning Apex Legends as a game that will continue to evolve and thrive for years to come. This "2.0" update is not intended as the final iteration of the game. EA plans to continue investing in the core community and expanding the game's appeal to new audiences.
The approach mirrors Activision's attempt to revitalize Warzone with its 2.0 update in 2022. While the success of that strategy remains debated, EA will undoubtedly learn from competitor experiences as it strives to increase Apex Legends' player base and profitability. Despite its declining concurrent player count on Steam, Apex Legends remains a top-performing battle royale title.
