Apex Legends 2 Coming, But Not Soon

EA's recent earnings call shed light on the future of Apex Legends, revealing a focus on player retention rather than a sequel. Despite declining player engagement and missed revenue targets, EA CEO Andrew Wilson emphasized the game's strong position in the hero shooter genre. The company believes that significant, systematic innovation, rather than an "Apex Legends 2," is the key to revitalizing the game and returning it to growth.

Wilson highlighted the importance of retaining the existing player base and their investment in the game. He stated that creating an "Apex Legends 2" is generally less successful than iterating on the original. Instead, EA plans to introduce substantial, innovative updates season by season, ensuring players don't lose their progress.

The underperformance of Season 22 prompted a reevaluation of monetization strategies. EA recognizes the need for large-scale changes to re-engage players. Future updates will focus on expanding content and introducing new gameplay modalities without requiring players to abandon their existing progress.

EA's strategy involves continuous improvement of the core gameplay experience, with progressively larger and more innovative seasonal updates. These changes aim to enhance player engagement and retention without forcing players to start over.

The company is actively working on these improvements, exploring new gameplay mechanics to complement the existing core elements. The goal is to simultaneously enhance the core experience and introduce significant innovations, maintaining player investment and engagement.