Apex Legends Battle Pass Changes Were a Big Whoopsie So Respawn Reverses Course

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 revised battle pass system and the reasons behind the community's outcry.

Apex Legends Battle Pass: A 180-Degree Turn After Player Uproar

Respawn Restores 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 the elimination of Apex Coin purchases for premium passes, will not be implemented in the Season 22 update (August 6th).

Respawn acknowledged their communication failures and pledged to improve transparency. They confirmed the reinstatement of the 950 Apex Coin Premium Battle Pass for Season 22, prioritizing player concerns such as cheat prevention, game stability, and quality-of-life updates. Detailed patch notes addressing stability improvements will be released on August 5th. The developers expressed gratitude for the community's dedication, emphasizing its vital role in the game's success.

The Battle Pass Controversy: A Breakdown of the Original Plan

The simplified Season 22 battle pass structure is now:

• Free Pass
• Premium Pass (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 heavily criticized, system.

The July 8th announcement of a two-part battle pass system ignited a firestorm. Players were to pay $9.99 twice – once at the season's start and again mid-season – for the premium pass, previously available for 950 Apex Coins or a $9.99 1000-coin bundle. A new, more expensive "Premium+" option replacing the previous bundle at $19.99 per half-season further fueled player anger.

The Community's Resounding Response

The proposed changes triggered a massive backlash across Twitter (X) and the Apex Legends subreddit. Players expressed outrage, deeming the changes unacceptable and vowing to boycott future battle pass purchases. The negative sentiment was amplified by a surge of overwhelmingly negative reviews on Steam (80,587 at the time of writing).

While the reversal is welcomed, the controversy highlights the importance of player feedback in game development. Respawn's admission of error and commitment to improved communication and game enhancements are crucial steps towards rebuilding player trust. As Season 22 approaches, the community eagerly awaits the promised improvements detailed in the August 5th patch notes.