EA's recent financial call revealed that while Apex Legends boasts a massive player base of over 200 million, its revenue isn't meeting expectations. CEO Andrew Wilson acknowledged the game's success but highlighted the need for a significant shift to improve its financial trajectory. He outlined a three-pronged approach: continued support for the existing community through quality-of-life improvements, anti-cheat measures, and new content; ongoing development and testing of new content; and a major overhaul, dubbed Apex Legends 2.0.
This Apex Legends 2.0 update is envisioned as a substantial reinvigoration of the franchise, aiming to attract new players and boost revenue. However, its release is planned for after the next Battlefield title, likely sometime in EA's 2027 fiscal year. Wilson emphasized EA's long-term commitment to the franchise, suggesting Apex Legends 2.0 won't be the final iteration of the game. He envisions a future with continued expansion and support for both existing and new player communities.
The planned update bears resemblance to Activision's Warzone 2.0 reboot, though its success remains debatable among fans. EA will undoubtedly be studying the outcomes of similar attempts by competitors in the battle royale market. While Apex Legends remains a top performer on Steam in terms of concurrent players, its player count is declining, underscoring the need for EA's strategic intervention.