Respawn Reverses Apex Legends Battle Pass Changes After Backlash

Respawn Entertainment has taken a significant step back from their controversial new battle pass changes for Apex Legends following a strong backlash from the gaming community. Dive into the details of their revised battle pass strategy and understand the reasons behind the widespread discontent.

Apex Legends' Battle Pass Takes a U-Turn After Public Outcry

Respawn Entertainment Reverts to 950 Apex Coins Premium Battle Pass

Respawn Entertainment, the creators of Apex Legends, announced via their Twitter (X) account that they are reversing their plans for a new battle pass system due to significant community backlash. The proposed system, which would have introduced two $9.99 battle passes per season and eliminated the option to buy premium battle passes with Apex Coins, will not go forward in the upcoming Season 22 update scheduled for August 6.

In response to the feedback, Respawn has committed to restoring the Premium Battle Pass to its original price of 950 Apex Coins starting with Season 22. They acknowledged the poor communication surrounding the proposed changes and pledged to enhance transparency and timeliness in future updates. The developers highlighted their focus on addressing player concerns, including combating cheaters, improving game stability, and rolling out quality of life enhancements.

Additionally, Respawn confirmed that the Season 22 Patch Notes, due on August 5th, will include numerous improvements and bug fixes aimed at enhancing game stability. They expressed gratitude to the community for their continued support, recognizing that the game's success hinges on player engagement.

The Battle Pass Controversy and the New Scheme

The revised battle pass structure for Season 22 is now streamlined as follows:

• Free
• Premium for 950 Apex Coins
• Ultimate for $9.99, and Ultimate+ for $19.99

This new approach requires a single payment per season for all tiers, a significant departure from the initially proposed controversial system.

On July 8, Apex Legends unveiled a battle pass scheme that drew heavy criticism. It required players to purchase two half-season battle passes at $9.99 each, a stark contrast to the previous model where the premium battle pass was available for 950 Apex Coins or $9.99 for a 1000 coin bundle for the entire season. The introduction of a premium+ option at $19.99 every half-season further fueled player frustration.

Fan Outcry and Reaction

The proposed changes triggered a massive backlash from the Apex Legends community. Players voiced their dissatisfaction on Twitter (X) and the Apex Legends subreddit, labeling the decision as disastrous and pledging to boycott future battle pass purchases. The negative sentiment was echoed in the game's Steam reviews, with 80,587 negative reviews recorded at the time of writing.

While the reversal of the battle pass changes has brought some relief, many players feel that such a situation should never have occurred. The community's robust response underscores the critical role of player feedback in shaping game development decisions.

Respawn Entertainment's admission of their error and their promise to improve communication and game quality are crucial steps toward restoring trust with their player base. As Season 22 nears, fans are keenly awaiting the promised enhancements and stability fixes outlined in the August 5th Patch Notes.