Respawn Entertainment has made a significant reversal on their controversial new battle pass changes for Apex Legends, prompted by a strong backlash from the gaming community. Dive into the details of their revised battle pass scheme 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 developers behind Apex Legends, announced via their Twitter (X) page that they are withdrawing their plans for a new battle pass system due to significant community backlash. The proposed system, which included two $9.99 battle passes per season and eliminated the option to buy premium passes with Apex Coins, will not go forward in the upcoming Season 22 update on August 6.

Recognizing their error, Respawn confirmed that the Premium Battle Pass will revert to its original price of 950 Apex Coins with the launch of Season 22. They admitted that the new changes were poorly communicated and committed to enhancing transparency and timeliness in future updates. The developers highlighted their focus on addressing player concerns, including tackling cheaters, improving game stability, and rolling out quality of life enhancements.

Respawn also noted that the Season 22 Patch Notes, scheduled for release on August 5th, will include various improvements and bug fixes aimed at enhancing game stability. They expressed gratitude to the community for their continued support, acknowledging that the game's success hinges on player engagement.

The Battle Pass Controversy and the New Scheme

The revised battle pass scheme for Season 22 simplifies the structure to:

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

This new, streamlined approach starkly contrasts the original contentious proposal. On July 8, Apex Legends unveiled a battle pass system that required players to pay twice for half-season passes, once at the season's start and again midway through. This meant shelling out $9.99 twice for what was previously a full-season premium pass available for 950 Apex Coins or $9.99 for a 1000 coin bundle. Moreover, a new premium+ tier, replacing the premium bundle, would have cost $19.99 every half-season, further fueling player frustration.

Fan Outcry and Reaction

The proposed changes ignited a firestorm of criticism within the Apex Legends community. Fans 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 backlash was further intensified by the flood of negative reviews on Apex Legends' Steam page, totaling 80,587 at the time of writing.

While the reversal of the battle pass changes has brought relief, many players feel that such a misstep should have been avoided. The community's vehement response underscores the critical role of player feedback in shaping game development decisions.

Respawn Entertainment's acknowledgment of their mistake and their pledge to improve communication and game enhancements is a positive move towards mending trust with their player base. As Season 22 approaches, fans are keenly awaiting the promised improvements and stability fixes outlined in the August 5th Patch Notes.