EA's recent earnings call shed light on the future of Apex Legends, revealing their strategy for revitalizing the popular hero shooter.
Apex Legends 2: Not on EA's Radar—Focus on Retention
Apex Legends' Leading Position Remains Crucial for EA
As Apex Legends gears up for its 23rd season in early November, EA acknowledges a decline in player engagement since its 2019 launch. This dip has impacted revenue, prompting a commitment to "fundamental changes."
During the Q2 earnings call, CEO Andrew Wilson addressed the performance, emphasizing a need for "meaningful systematic innovation" to fundamentally alter gameplay. While declining numbers might suggest an "Apex Legends 2," Wilson indicated that a sequel isn't in the cards, citing the game's current top-tier position in the hero shooter genre.
"We're managing the current trajectory," Wilson stated, "but believe the brand strength, global community size, and top-tier position will allow us to return to growth over time."
Wilson attributed insights gained from Season 22's underperformance to inform future improvements. He noted the unexpected lack of monetization lift following battle pass changes. He highlighted two key observations within the free-to-play FPS market: Apex Legends' compelling franchise status and the necessity of large-scale changes to drive growth and re-engagement. The focus, therefore, remains on player retention and extensive content.
Essentially, EA prioritizes iterative improvements to the existing game rather than a complete reboot with Apex Legends 2. Wilson explained, "What we've seen in large-scale live service games is that Version 2 rarely surpasses Version 1."
Season-by-Season Innovation Planned for Apex Legends
EA aims to continuously support the global player base with innovative content, season after season. Wilson assured players that their progress and investments will be protected as these changes are implemented. He emphasized avoiding forcing players to choose between past investments and future innovations.
"We'll innovate within the core experience," Wilson explained, "and you're seeing that with progressively larger seasons and key gameplay changes."
EA has initiated these changes, focusing on expanding gameplay beyond the current core mechanics. Wilson concluded, "We believe we can achieve both innovation and retention without separating the experience."
