EA Plans Apex Legends 2.0 Release Post-Battlefield Amidst Underwhelming Sales

As Apex Legends approaches its sixth anniversary, EA has acknowledged that the game isn't meeting its financial expectations, prompting plans for a significant update, dubbed Apex Legends 2.0.

During EA's third-quarter financial call, it was revealed that Apex Legends net bookings had declined year-over-year, though they aligned with the company's forecasts. In a Q&A with analysts, EA CEO Andrew Wilson expressed that despite Apex Legends attracting over 200 million players and being a beloved title, it hasn't been generating the desired revenue.

Wilson highlighted the game's ongoing development across three main areas: supporting the dedicated community, improving quality of life and anti-cheat measures, and creating new content. Despite these efforts, progress has been slower than hoped.

To address the financial challenges, EA is developing Apex Legends 2.0, a major update aimed at revitalizing the franchise, attracting new players, and boosting revenue. However, Wilson clarified that Apex Legends 2.0 won't launch alongside the next Battlefield game, expected before April 2026. Instead, it is slated for release sometime during EA's 2027 fiscal year, ending in March 2027.

Wilson emphasized EA's long-term vision for Apex Legends, likening it to other enduring franchises that the company has successfully maintained for decades. He assured that Apex Legends 2.0 is not the final evolution of the game, and EA remains committed to supporting its tens of millions of players while planning for future expansions.

The concept of Apex Legends 2.0 draws parallels to Activision's approach with Call of Duty: Warzone, which saw a 2.0 version in 2022. While the success of such a move remains debated among Warzone fans, EA is keenly aware of the competitive landscape in the battle royale genre as it seeks to expand Apex Legends' player base.

Despite its challenges, Apex Legends continues to be a top-played game on Steam, though it has yet to surpass its peak concurrent player numbers and is trending towards new lows on Valve's platform.