Why EA Isn’t Interested in an Apex Legends 2—and Why That’s Probably Good

As Apex Legends gears up for its 23rd season, many fans and investors are wondering if an Apex Legends 2 is on the horizon. The answer? Not likely. Instead, EA is committed to innovating within the current game, avoiding a sequel altogether. Here’s why EA’s CEO Andrew Wilson and Respawn believe sticking with the original is the best path forward—and what that could mean for players.

Why EA Says No to Apex Legends 2

During EA’s recent Q2 earnings call, Wilson addressed investors’ curiosity around a potential “Apex 2.0.” He explained that for large-scale live-service games like Apex Legends, launching a sequel often doesn’t yield the same success as continuous updates to the original. Wilson believes the strength of games like Apex lies in building a community over time, offering continuous updates and innovations rather than making players start from scratch.

Wilson’s response hit on a crucial point: forcing players to abandon their progress and investments in Apex Legends to switch to a sequel could hurt the community’s loyalty. Rather than forcing a choice, EA’s goal is to continue building on the existing Apex experience, evolving it season by season with fresh content and mechanics.

The Risks of Starting Over

Wilson’s hesitation to launch an “Apex Legends 2” isn’t without precedent. Many games with massive followings, like Destiny and Overwatch, have faced challenges when trying to migrate their player bases to sequels. Not only does it risk alienating long-time players who’ve invested significant time and money, but it also fractures the community. For Wilson, the goal is to avoid any disruption that would force players to choose between their hard-earned progress and new gameplay experiences.

Rather than dividing the community or leaving long-time players feeling left behind, EA aims to maintain a cohesive experience while introducing new innovations. By keeping Apex Legends as a live-service platform, the team can gradually incorporate updates and improvements without a major overhaul that risks shaking the community’s foundation.

Systemic Innovation: What’s Next for Apex Legends?

So, if there’s no Apex Legends 2, what does EA have planned? Wilson hinted at “systematic innovation,” a concept that goes beyond regular updates and tweaks. While he didn’t dive into specifics, the goal appears to be rethinking and enhancing Apex’s core mechanics and gameplay loops to keep things fresh.

EA and Respawn seem to have big plans to keep Apex Legends feeling new and exciting. Respawn’s game director, Steve Ferreira, has previously spoken about his team’s “anti-vision” for an Apex sequel, saying they would prefer not to put the game in a position where a full reboot is necessary. Instead, Ferreira and his team aim to keep Apex evolving in ways that don’t disrupt the existing ecosystem or player investments.

Whether that means new modes, extensive map changes, or entirely new gameplay mechanics, players can expect Respawn to keep experimenting and adding depth to the game. By doing so, they can keep Apex relevant and engaging without a full relaunch.

What EA’s Success Means for Apex Legends

EA is coming off a record-breaking quarter, reporting $2.08 billion in net bookings, partly driven by popular titles like The Sims 4 and, of course, Apex Legends. With strong financial results, EA has the resources to double down on innovation within Apex without resorting to a sequel. The financial success gives Respawn the green light to continue pushing the boundaries of what Apex Legends can offer.

This solid performance reflects the strength of EA’s approach to live-service games. It supports their argument that evolving and updating a game with fresh content over time is a more sustainable model than releasing sequels that force players to start from scratch. By doing this, EA continues to invest in the long-term success of Apex Legends, showing that it values its established player base.

Player Response: Is This the Right Call?

While some players are excited by the idea of ongoing improvements, others have wondered if a new version would breathe fresh life into the game. However, by doubling down on the original, EA is showing a commitment to its dedicated player base. For players who have invested years and money into skins, characters, and in-game achievements, EA’s decision to stick with Apex Legends is a relief.

As Season 23 approaches, fans are eager to see what Respawn has in store for the game. Apex Legends has evolved in ways that even long-time players may not have anticipated. With new legends, seasonal events, and map changes keeping the game interesting, many players are happy to see Respawn and EA working to refine and innovate on what they already love about Apex rather than restarting from scratch.

Apex Legends: Beyond Season 23

Season 23 is just around the corner, bringing another round of updates, balancing, and fresh content. But the commitment from EA and Respawn suggests that Apex Legends’ evolution is far from over. As the game continues to grow, players can expect ongoing improvements that may bring fresh mechanics, deeper storytelling, and possibly even crossovers or collaborations.

While a full reboot may not be on the horizon, Apex Legends’ journey is still evolving. Respawn’s focus on fine-tuning and innovating the core experience while respecting the player’s investment means Apex has the potential to keep its momentum for years to come. This strategy aligns well with what today’s players want: a dynamic, living game that grows with them and doesn’t require them to start over.

^{While games are fun, it’s highly important to note that there’s more to life than sitting countless hours playing games – there’s a purpose and more to life; seek out that purpose more often!}