Respawn Entertainment has reversed its controversial new battle pass changes for Apex Legends after significant backlash from the gaming community. Read on to learn more about their new battle pass scheme and what caused the public outcry.
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Respawn Entertainment, the developer of Apex Legends, announced on their Twitter (X) page yesterday that they are retracting their plans for a new battle pass scheme following major backlash from the community. The new system, which involved two $9.99 battle passes per season and the removal of the ability to purchase premium battle passes using the game’s virtual currency, Apex Coins, will not be implemented in the upcoming Season 22 update on August 6.
Respawn Entertainment acknowledged their missteps and assured players that the Premium Battle Pass for 950 Apex Coins will be restored with the release of Season 22. They admitted that the proposed changes were not communicated effectively and promised to improve their transparency and timeliness in future communications. The developers emphasized that player concerns, such as dealing with cheaters, enhancing game stability, and implementing quality of life updates, are their top priorities.
They also mentioned that a number of improvements and bug fixes for game stability will be included in the Season 22 Patch Notes, set to be released on August 5th. Respawn thanked the community for their dedication to Apex Legends, recognizing that the game's success depends on player engagement.
The Battle Pass Controversy and the New Scheme
The new battle pass scheme for Season 22 is now simplified to the following:
⚫︎ Free
⚫︎ Premium for 950 Apex Coins
⚫︎ Ultimate for $9.99, and Ultimate+ for $19.99
With payment required once per season for all tiers. This streamlined approach contrasts sharply with the original controversial proposal.
On July 8, Apex Legends introduced a highly criticized battle pass scheme where players would need to pay twice for half-season battle passes, once at the start of the season and again at mid-point. This meant players would have had to shell out $9.99 twice for the premium battle pass, which was previously available for 950 Apex Coins or $9.99 for a 1000 coin bundle for the entire season. Additionally, a new premium+ option, replacing the premium bundle, would have cost $19.99 every half-season, further aggravating the player base.
Fan Outcry and Reaction
The proposed changes sparked significant backlash from the Apex Legends community. Fans expressed their discontent on Twitter (X) and on the Apex Legends subreddit, describing the decision as abysmal and vowing not to pay for another battle pass again. The outcry was further amplified by the overwhelmingly negative reviews on Apex Legends' Steam page, which stands at 80,587 negative reviews at the time of writing.
While the reversal of the battle pass changes has been met with relief, many players believe that such an issue should not have arisen in the first place. The community's strong reaction highlights the importance of player feedback and the impact it can have on game development decisions.
Respawn Entertainment's acknowledgment of their misstep and their commitment to better communication and game improvements is a step towards rebuilding trust with their player base. As Season 22 approaches, fans are eager to see the promised improvements and stability fixes in the August 5th Patch Notes.
Source:
Apex Legends’ Season 22 Initial Battle Pass Scheme Announcement
Apex Legends’ Subreddit
Apex Legends' Review Page on Steam
