During a recent investor call, EA CEO Andrew Wilson addressed the question of whether an Apex Legends 2 is on the horizon, stating that there are no plans for a sequel. Wilson expressed strong opposition to the idea, emphasizing the importance of preserving players’ investments in the current game. He pointed out that in the context of live service games, launching a new version often leads to disappointment, as players are reluctant to abandon their progress and resources for an entirely new experience.
Wilson’s comments distinguish between traditional game sequels, like those seen in franchises such as Halo and Call of Duty, and the emerging trend of launching games with a “2” at the end, which are essentially significant updates rather than full-fledged sequels.
He highlighted examples like Overwatch 2 and Counter-Strike 2, suggesting that these updates often fail to resonate as strongly with players as their predecessors did. Instead of a new version, EA and Respawn aim to enhance Apex Legends through ongoing innovations without forcing players to give up their existing achievements.
The focus for EA and Respawn is on evolving the game on a seasonal basis, allowing for continual growth while retaining player investments. Wilson articulated that the company wants to avoid putting its community in a position where they must choose between their past contributions and future advancements in the game. He believes that this approach is crucial for maintaining a healthy player community and fostering long-term engagement.
Wilson also noted that the development team does not necessarily need to create a separate experience to drive innovation beyond seasonal content. While this is still a work in progress, the emphasis remains on improving the current Apex Legends experience instead of launching a completely new iteration. This strategy aims to keep the player base engaged without alienating those who have invested time and money into the game.
Recently, Respawn faced backlash regarding its planned overhaul of the seasonal strategy, which led to a retraction of controversial changes following significant player dissatisfaction. The developers have since committed to maintaining two battle passes per season and focusing on critical issues such as cheating, game stability, and overall quality-of-life updates. This shift reflects the team’s understanding of player priorities and reinforces the importance of community feedback in shaping the future of Apex Legends.
