Apex Legends 2 is Not Coming Anytime Soon

EA's Recent Earnings Call Reveals No Plans for Apex Legends 2, Focusing Instead on Revitalizing the Original

EA's recent financial report shed light on their strategy for the popular battle royale, Apex Legends. Despite a recent dip in player engagement and revenue, EA confirmed that an Apex Legends 2 is not currently in development. Instead, the company is prioritizing significant improvements to the existing game to retain its substantial player base and recapture lost revenue.

Apex Legends Remains a Top Performer, Despite Challenges

With Season 23 on the horizon, Apex Legends remains a leading title in the hero shooter genre. However, EA acknowledges a decline in player engagement since its 2019 launch, resulting in missed revenue targets. CEO Andrew Wilson emphasized the need for "meaningful systematic innovation" to reinvigorate the gameplay experience. While a sequel might seem logical, Wilson stated that the game's current market position makes an Apex Legends 2 less desirable than substantial updates to the original. He highlighted the importance of retaining the existing player base and leveraging the established brand recognition. The underperformance of Season 22's battle pass further underscored the need for comprehensive changes.

Prioritizing Player Retention and Innovation

Wilson stressed two key observations: the importance of brand strength and core player base in the competitive market, and the necessity of significant, systemic changes to drive growth and re-engagement. EA's strategy focuses on player retention and delivering high-quality content, with plans for larger, more innovative updates in the future. Wilson explicitly stated that a "Version 2" rarely matches the success of the original in live-service games at scale.

Season-by-Season Innovation and Protecting Player Investment

EA's commitment to its existing player base is paramount. Future updates will aim to introduce innovative content season after season while safeguarding player progress and investment. The company aims to avoid forcing players to abandon their existing accounts and progress. Instead, they plan to innovate within the core gameplay experience, expanding on existing mechanics and introducing new modes of play.

Future Plans: Incremental but Significant Changes

EA is already implementing these changes, focusing on enhancing core mechanics and introducing new gameplay modes. The goal is to achieve both player retention and significant growth simultaneously, without requiring players to start over. The company is confident that these changes will reverse the recent decline in player engagement.