What would a sequel for Apex Legends look like?

Apex Legends has remained among the most popular battle royales in competitive esports for years, so, naturally, Respawn would want to provide a fresh coat of paint to its ever-evolving shooter.

On February 4, 2025, the topic of an Apex sequel was discussed in an EA earnings call, which suggested that the battle royale may soon receive a second iteration. We’re going to walk you through the most credible leaks and rumours surrounding a possible successor to Apex Legends, along with how the next chapter could affect esports.

Respawn’s Apex Legends has reached many milestones since its 2019 launch. With over 200 million reported players, Apex is easily one of the most popular BR games of the past decade, and its free-to-play status has helped elevate its player count.

It’s unlikely that Apex Legends will receive a proper sequel. Respawn would likely release a major update instead to upgrade the visuals and introduce a few new gameplay mechanics, though a name change is also possible. Both Overwatch 2 and Siege X took this approach, allowing players to keep their progress in the updated titles.

During February’s Electronic Arts investor call, EA CEO Andrew Wilson suggested that Apex will soon require a more “meaningful update.” However, he also noted that it probably wouldn’t come out until after the release of the next Battlefield title.

If the next Apex Legends game only offers a few new enhancements and a name change, then the esports scene probably won’t be impacted too much. However, a broad update to legend balancing could create a new competitive meta and strategies.

Siege X was recently released with destructible ingredients, which are environmental props that can be activated for a gameplay advantage. If Apex gets its version of destructible ingredients, then its competitive scene could evolve greatly, especially since each map is essentially an open world.

As a final note, the release of Apex Legends 2.0 would probably increase player count as new and returning fans download the latest title. More players could translate to new esports viewers, so Apex’s competitive community would only stand to grow with such an update.

Currently, leaks regarding the next step for Apex Legends are few and far between. However, Andrew Wilson has confirmed that a massive update may soon be in the works, but the exact details remain scarce.

Despite a lack of info, we can determine what might be released in a sequel based on content drops in past updates and recent Apex leaks. Based on leaks and previous updates, here are some features we predict might appear in an Apex Legends sequel.

Many recent seasons of Apex Legends have included reworks for already existing characters. Ash and Lifeline have both received major overhauls within the last year, alongside balancing updates to assault legends and weaponry. A balanced arsenal and character roster are integral for the competitive scene to thrive, and it doesn’t look like Respawn will stop updating older legends anytime soon.

HyperX_Leaker and Osatou_Apex recently suggested that the next few seasons could be themed around Mad Maggie or Fuse, which may include reworks. Leaks and update trends point towards future changes to existing legends, so we expect that Apex 2.0 might offer multiple character reworks in a single update.

The most likely improvements in the next Apex Legends game are enhancements to the battle royale’s visuals. Character models may receive an upgrade, while map set pieces and landscapes could be overhauled completely. The graphical upgrade in Apex 2.0 would be a major selling point, though it could limit the platforms Apex Legends can run on.

Rainbow Six Siege X was released alongside a plethora of little additions, including an esports tab that curious players can access from the home menu. Apex Legends has a strong esports scene, so an in-game menu for major tournaments would help increase esports interest among the casual fan base.

The recent ALGS Open was the biggest tournament yet for competitive Apex, so an in-game esports tab is a likely addition in the future.

More maps, characters, and game modes seem like a no-brainer for a major Apex update. A fresh casual experience could help new players transition into Apex Legends in a relaxed environment, similar to Dual Front’s release in Siege X.

On the flip side, more legends and maps would help diversify gameplay. Respawn will probably focus on legend reworks before all else, but it would be surprising if Apex 2.0 didn’t launch with at least a few new additions.

According to EA’s CEO, the likelihood of a major update for Apex Legends is high, but it might not be a traditional sequel. Graphical upgrades and character reworks are the most likely improvements we could see in Apex 2.0, though more modes and legends might also be added.

Whether a sequel or update, Apex Legends will probably receive an overhaul within the next few years. If it does, then Apex’s esports scene could blossom into an even bigger community.