As Apex Legends, Respawn’s battle royale sensation, approaches its sixth anniversary, EA has openly acknowledged that the game is underperforming financially. In a recent financial call discussing third-quarter results, EA disclosed that Apex Legends net bookings had declined year-over-year, though the performance aligned with the company's expectations.
During a Q&A session with analysts, EA CEO Andrew Wilson provided insights into the game's current state. He emphasized that despite Apex Legends being a monumental launch with over 200 million players, the franchise's financial trajectory has not met the company's aspirations. Wilson noted, “Apex is probably one of the great new launches in our industry over the last decade and has been loved by that core cohort... However, the trajectory of the business of that franchise has not been headed in the direction that we have wanted for some time.”
To address these challenges, Wilson outlined a multi-faceted approach. The first vector focuses on supporting the game's dedicated community of tens of millions through quality-of-life improvements, anti-cheat measures, and fresh content. Despite efforts to enhance the game, Wilson admitted that progress has been slower than desired.
Looking ahead, EA is set to launch a significant update, dubbed Apex Legends 2.0, aimed at revitalizing the franchise, attracting new players, and boosting revenue. Wilson clarified that this major update will not coincide with the release of the next Battlefield game, expected before April 2026. Instead, Apex Legends 2.0 is slated for release sometime during EA’s fiscal year ending March 2027.
Wilson expressed confidence in the long-term potential of Apex Legends, drawing parallels with EA's successful long-lasting franchises. He envisions Apex Legends continuing to evolve, with Apex Legends 2.0 being just one step in a broader plan to expand the game's appeal and support both its core competitive community and new players.
The concept of Apex Legends 2.0 bears some resemblance to Activision’s approach with Call of Duty: Warzone, which underwent a significant update in 2022. While the success of such a move remains debated among fans, EA is keenly aware of the competitive landscape in the battle royale genre as it works to rejuvenate Apex Legends.
Despite its financial challenges, Apex Legends continues to rank among the most-played games on Steam based on concurrent player counts. However, its peak performance on the platform is behind it, and the game is currently on a path toward new lows.
