EA's Recent Earnings Call Reveals No Plans for Apex Legends 2, Focusing Instead on Revitalizing the Original
EA's recent financial report sheds light on their strategy for the popular battle royale, Apex Legends. Despite a recent decline in player engagement and missed revenue targets, EA has confirmed that an Apex Legends 2 is not currently in development. Instead, the company is prioritizing significant, systemic improvements to the existing game.
Apex Legends Remains a Top Performer, Despite Challenges
With Season 23 on the horizon, Apex Legends continues to be a major player in the hero shooter genre. However, EA acknowledges a need for substantial innovation to reignite growth and player retention. CEO Andrew Wilson stated that the game's current top-tier position within the free-to-play market makes a sequel unnecessary. The company believes that strategic improvements to the core gameplay will be more effective than a complete reboot. The underperformance of Season 22, particularly concerning monetization changes, highlighted the need for these fundamental adjustments.
Prioritizing Player Retention and Ongoing Innovation
Wilson emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong core player base and high-quality mechanics. He stressed that EA will focus on player retention and delivering consistent, high-quality content through regular seasonal updates. Crucially, these changes will be implemented in a way that protects player progress and investment in the existing game. The company aims to introduce innovative gameplay changes within the existing framework, rather than forcing players to start over with a new game.
Seasonal Updates and Future Plans
EA plans to deliver innovative content on a season-by-season basis, ensuring continued support for the existing player base. Future updates will focus on expanding gameplay modalities beyond the current core mechanics, aiming to revitalize the experience without requiring players to abandon their progress. The company is actively working on these changes, aiming for a gradual evolution of the game rather than a disruptive sequel.
In summary, EA's strategy for Apex Legends centers on iterative improvements and consistent content updates, prioritizing player retention and long-term engagement over the creation of a sequel.
