Apex Legends has been a cornerstone in the battle royale gaming genre, boasting a dedicated player base and constant updates that keep the game fresh. While many players were excited about the prospect of a Source 2 engine upgrade, recent statements from the developers at Respawn Entertainment indicate that this may not be in the cards.
During a playtest of Apex Legends Season 19, we had the opportunity to inquire about the potential of Source 2 integration with the game’s developers. The resounding response from Respawn was a firm “NO.”
But why is Apex Legends sticking with the Source engine when Source 2 is available? The answer is surprisingly straightforward. Apex Legends has been developed on a customized version of the Source engine for quite some time. This modification took place even before the release of the original Titanfall game. Evan Nikolich, Design Director at Respawn, explained that the engine has been “heavily modified” to meet the specific requirements of Apex Legends. He emphasized that “the version of Source that was used for Portal 2 was not built with the intention to support a Battle Royale with large open spaces.”
When asked about any future plans regarding a Source 2 engine upgrade, Nikolich made it clear: “We have changed the engine technology in so many ways and will continue to grow the engine to serve the needs of Apex. No plans to integrate Source 2 at this time.”
This decision is not entirely unexpected. Michael Kalas, Respawn’s tech director, had previously stated in a tweet that their engine would “never be replaced in the Apex/Titanfall universe.” This reaffirms their commitment to the modified Source engine that powers Apex Legends.
While the news might disappoint those who were hoping for an Apex Legends 2 with Source 2, it’s evident that Respawn is actively working on enhancing their current engine. The recent introduction of Cross Progression is just one example of their ongoing efforts to improve the game. Players can expect these improvements to address issues like audio problems, latency, and more.
In the meantime, players can dive into the Season 19 update of Apex Legends, where they’ll find exciting new additions such as the shield healer Conduit and map changes on Storm Point. Plus, Wattson’s Town Takeover offers a charming surprise for all players.
