Respawn Entertainment Backtracks on Controversial Apex Legends Battle Pass Changes
Following a significant player backlash, Respawn Entertainment has reversed its planned changes to the Apex Legends battle pass system. The proposed changes, announced earlier, would have required players to purchase two $9.99 battle passes per season and removed the option to buy the premium pass using in-game Apex Coins. This decision sparked widespread outrage within the Apex Legends community.
The Developer's U-Turn
Respawn announced on X (formerly Twitter) that the controversial system will not be implemented for Season 22, launching August 6th. The original 950 Apex Coin premium battle pass option will be reinstated. The company acknowledged poor communication surrounding the changes and pledged to improve transparency in future updates. They reiterated their commitment to addressing player concerns, including cheat prevention, game stability, and quality-of-life improvements. Patch notes detailing stability fixes are expected on August 5th.
The Revised Battle Pass Structure
The battle pass system for Season 22 will now consist of:
- A free tier
- A premium tier costing 950 Apex Coins
- An Ultimate tier for $9.99 and an Ultimate+ tier for $19.99
Payment will be required once per season for access to all tiers.
The Initial Proposal and Player Reaction
The initial July 8th announcement introduced a two-part battle pass, requiring separate $9.99 purchases at the beginning and midpoint of the season. The previous 950 Apex Coin option and the $9.99, 1000 coin bundle were removed. A new, more expensive premium+ option at $19.99 per half-season further fueled player discontent.
The negative reaction was immediate and intense, with widespread criticism across social media platforms and a surge of negative reviews on Steam (reaching 80,587 at the time of writing).
The Path Forward
While the reversal is welcomed, the incident underscores the importance of developer-community communication. Respawn's response indicates a commitment to improving this communication and prioritizing player feedback. The upcoming patch notes will be closely scrutinized by the community as a test of this commitment.
