Ubisoft developing Apex Legends imitator despite falling popularity of battle royale games

With Ubisoft's financial struggles, every move the publisher makes is under a microscope. A report that it's endorsing a new battle royale game is drawing skepticism. Insider Gaming learned that Scout will model itself after Apex Legends, with familiar-looking characters. Tom Henderson's source explains that Ubisoft sees an opportunity with a declining Apex Legends player count.

A recent Newzoo study confirmed that while shooters remain popular, battle royale games are losing momentum. Between 2021 and 2024, the category dropped from 19% to 12% of total games played. Apex Legends has survived while lesser-known titles have come and gone. Still, it has experienced a steep fall from its peak of popularity in 2021. Fortnite is another obvious exception, but its varied game modes have mainstream appeal.

Failed Ubisoft games include the 2020 urban-set Hyper Scape. The title lasted less than two years before developers turned off its servers. That experience apparently hasn't dissuaded the company from creating an Apex Legends rival. In fact, rumors indicate that Ubisoft explored up to a dozen battle royale games that never materialized. Making an Apex Legends clone without unique elements to revive interest in the genre seems questionable.

Apex Legends and its competitors are still enjoying success on the esports circuit. Battle Royale games are popular attractions, as audiences watch pros fight for survival. Even so, the competitive gaming industry is more of an investment in future growth than a money-maker. Strong sales of Assassin's Creed Shadows may have given Ubisoft some financial flexibility. Nevertheless, gamers wonder if Scout will become another in a long line of blunders.