EA Pulls Plug on Apex Legends, Announces Sequel

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 and remains a top performer on Steam, its revenue isn't meeting EA's expectations. EA CEO Andrew Wilson confirmed this in a recent financial call, stating that Apex Legends' net bookings have declined year-over-year, prompting a strategic shift.

Wilson outlined a three-pronged approach: continued support for the existing community through quality-of-life improvements, anti-cheat measures, and new content; ongoing testing and development of new content; and, most significantly, the development of "Apex Legends 2.0."

Apex Legends 2.0 is envisioned as a major game overhaul designed to revitalize the franchise, attract new players, and boost revenue. However, its release is strategically planned for after the launch of the next Battlefield title, anticipated sometime in EA's 2027 fiscal year. This avoids a potential clash with another major EA release.

Wilson emphasized EA's long-term commitment to Apex Legends, highlighting its potential for sustained growth over the next decade and beyond. Apex 2.0 is not intended as the final iteration of the game but rather a significant update to enhance the overall player experience.

The planned overhaul is reminiscent of Activision's Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0, though the reception to that reboot remains mixed. EA is undoubtedly aware of the challenges and successes of similar battle royale updates, and will be carefully monitoring market trends as it works to expand Apex Legends' player base and revenue. While Apex Legends remains a top-performing title on Steam, its concurrent player count is significantly below its peak, highlighting the need for a substantial update.