Key Highlights:
- Respawn reverts controversial Apex Legends Battle Pass changes.
- Players can once again use Apex Coins to purchase Premium Battle Pass.
- New Ultimate and Ultimate+ tiers introduced with additional rewards.
Apex Legends Makes U-Turn on Battle Pass Changes Following Community Backlash
Respawn Entertainment has announced significant alterations to its recently revealed Apex Legends Battle Pass system for Season 22, following intense community outcry.
The developer has apologised for its handling of the initial changes and has implemented new adjustments to address player concerns.
On July 8th, Respawn introduced a controversial new Battle Pass structure that split each season’s pass into two parts and removed the option to purchase them using Apex Coins, the game’s premium currency.
This change effectively doubled the cost for players who typically used coins earned from previous passes to buy new ones, leading to a flood of negative reviews on the game’s Steam page which at the timing of this writing stands at 81,459.
Revised System: Restoring Apex Coins and New Tiers
In response to the backlash, Respawn released an update on July 24th, restoring players’ ability to purchase the Premium Battle Pass with 950 Apex Coins.
“We recognise that we could have handled the battle pass changes better–that’s on us,” the Apex Legends team stated in an official announcement.
The revised system now includes two new tiers: Ultimate and Ultimate+. The Ultimate tier, priced at $9.99 USD, offers all Premium rewards plus eight Apex Packs and 1,200 Crafting Materials.
The Ultimate+ tier, at $19.99 USD, includes additional perks such as double Exotic Shards, exclusive Legendary skin variants, and unlocks for all Legends in the game.
However, these new tiers can only be purchased with real money, not Apex Coins.
Respawn has also announced that for Season 22’s first split, all players will have the opportunity to earn the Premium Battle Pass by completing a series of in-game challenges.
This offer aims to provide a free path to premium content for engaged players.
Steven Ferreira, Apex Legends’ creative director, explained in a lengthy interview with IGN that the initial changes were motivated by a desire to better track player engagement with the Battle Pass. He clarified that this decision was made independently by the team, without pressure from EA.
The interview is well worth checking out, as it offers deep insights into the situation.
Looking forward, Respawn has committed to a more gradual approach when implementing significant changes, promising increased community engagement in the process.
The new Battle Pass system is set to launch with Season 22 on August 6th, with the second split following on September 17th.
This swift response to community feedback demonstrates Respawn’s willingness to listen to its player base.
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Although, the introduction of new, cash-only tiers suggests the developer is still exploring ways to monetise the game effectively while balancing player satisfaction.
Are you happy with these positive changes, or will you be blacklisting the FPS title from now on? Let us know your thoughts below.