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. While the game remains a significant player in the hero shooter market, declining player engagement and missed revenue targets have prompted a shift in focus.
Instead of developing an Apex Legends 2, EA is prioritizing player retention and significant in-game improvements. CEO Andrew Wilson emphasized the importance of Apex Legends' current market position and the potential for growth through substantial, systematic changes. He noted that past attempts at creating a "Version 2" of similar live-service games have rarely matched the success of the original.
Wilson highlighted the need for "meaningful systematic innovation" to revitalize gameplay. He acknowledged that Season 22 fell short of monetization expectations, leading to a reevaluation of their approach. EA recognizes the importance of a strong core player base and high-quality mechanics in the competitive landscape. Their strategy now centers on delivering consistent, high-quality content and innovative updates on a season-by-season basis.
The company assures players that their progress and investments in the game will be protected as these changes are implemented. Future innovations will build upon the existing game mechanics rather than requiring players to restart their progress. EA aims to introduce new gameplay modalities while maintaining the core experience players enjoy.
Wilson confirmed that EA is actively working on these improvements, focusing on enhancing the core gameplay loop and introducing significant changes season by season. These changes will aim to address the decline in player engagement and bring Apex Legends back to growth.
In essence, EA's strategy is to evolve Apex Legends organically rather than creating a sequel, ensuring player retention and long-term success.
