Respawn Reverses Apex Legends Battle Pass Changes

Respawn Entertainment swiftly reversed course on its controversial Apex Legends battle pass changes after a significant player backlash. Let's delve into the details of the new battle pass system and the reasons behind the public outcry.

Apex Legends Battle Pass: A 180-Degree Turn

Respawn Reinstates the 950 Apex Coin Premium Battle Pass

Respawn Entertainment announced on X (formerly Twitter) that the planned battle pass overhaul is scrapped. The new system, featuring two $9.99 battle passes per season and eliminating the option to buy premium passes with Apex Coins, will not be implemented in the upcoming Season 22 update (August 6th).

Respawn acknowledged their communication failures, promising improved transparency and timeliness going forward. They reaffirmed their commitment to addressing player concerns, including cheat prevention, game stability, and quality-of-life improvements. Season 22 patch notes, detailing stability fixes and other improvements, are slated for release on August 5th. The developers expressed gratitude for the community's dedication, emphasizing its crucial role in the game's success.

The Controversial Battle Pass Scheme: Then and Now

The Season 22 battle pass is now simplified:

• Free Pass: Available to all players.
• Premium Pass: Available for 950 Apex Coins.
• Ultimate Edition: $9.99
• Ultimate+ Edition: $19.99

Payment is required once per season for all tiers. This streamlined approach is a stark contrast to the initially proposed, and widely criticized, system.

The original July 8th announcement introduced a highly unpopular system requiring players to pay $9.99 twice for the premium battle pass—once at the season's start and again mid-season. This was a significant departure from the previous system, where players could purchase the premium pass for 950 Apex Coins or a $9.99 coin bundle. A new, more expensive "Premium+" option ($19.99 per half-season) further fueled player discontent.

The Community's Resounding Response

The proposed changes triggered a massive backlash across the Apex Legends community. Players voiced their outrage on X and the Apex Legends subreddit, using terms like "abysmal" and vowing to boycott future battle pass purchases. The negative sentiment was amplified by a surge of negative reviews on the game's Steam page (over 80,587 at the time of writing).

While the reversal is welcome news, the incident highlights the importance of player feedback and its potential impact on game development. Respawn's acknowledgment of their errors and commitment to improved communication and game improvements is a crucial step in rebuilding player trust. As Season 22 approaches, players eagerly await the promised improvements and stability fixes detailed in the August 5th patch notes.