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 decline in player engagement and missed revenue targets, the company confirmed there are no plans for a sequel, Apex Legends 2. Instead, EA is prioritizing significant, systemic improvements to the existing game to reignite growth.
EA's CEO, Andrew Wilson, emphasized the importance of Apex Legends' current market position within the hero shooter genre. He stated that the franchise's brand strength, large player base, and high-quality gameplay mechanics are key assets. While acknowledging the need for "meaningful systematic innovation," Wilson indicated that creating a sequel is not the preferred approach. He cited the generally lower success rate of "Version 2" games compared to their predecessors.
The underperformance of Season 22 highlighted the need for change. EA recognized that alterations to the battle pass system did not yield the anticipated increase in monetization. Wilson outlined a two-pronged strategy: maintaining a strong core player base and implementing substantial gameplay changes to drive re-engagement.
The focus will be on player retention and delivering high-quality content on a season-by-season basis. EA assures players that their existing progress and investments will be protected as these changes are implemented. Wilson stressed the importance of avoiding a scenario where players must choose between their existing progress and new features.
Future updates will introduce innovative gameplay mechanics beyond the current core structure, aiming to revitalize the experience without requiring players to start over. EA is already working on these changes, with plans to roll them out gradually across future seasons. These seasons will be larger in scope, incorporating more significant gameplay alterations.
In essence, EA is betting on a comprehensive revitalization of the original Apex Legends, rather than a complete reboot. The company is committed to supporting its existing player base while introducing fresh and engaging content to recapture lost momentum.
