Respawn Reverses Apex Legends Battle Pass Changes After Major 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 original plan, the public outcry, and the reversal that has fans breathing a sigh of relief.

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

Respawn Entertainment Reverts to 950 Apex Coins Premium Battle Pass

Respawn Entertainment, the creative minds behind Apex Legends, announced via their Twitter (X) account that they are retracting their new battle pass scheme due to overwhelming community feedback. The proposed system, which included two $9.99 battle passes per season and the elimination of the option to purchase premium passes with Apex Coins, will not see the light of day in the upcoming Season 22 update on August 6.

In a move to regain trust, Respawn has confirmed that the Premium Battle Pass will revert to its original price of 950 Apex Coins with the launch of Season 22. They acknowledged their communication failures and vowed to enhance transparency and promptness in future updates. Respawn emphasized their commitment to addressing player concerns, including tackling cheaters, improving game stability, and rolling out quality of life enhancements.

Additionally, Respawn mentioned that Season 22 will bring several improvements and bug fixes aimed at enhancing game stability, which will be detailed in the Patch Notes released on August 5th. They expressed gratitude towards the community for their unwavering 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 to include:

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

This simplified approach marks a significant departure from the initially proposed controversial system.

On July 8, Respawn introduced a battle pass scheme that required players to purchase two half-season passes at $9.99 each. This was a stark contrast to the previous model, where the premium 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 per half-season further fueled player frustration.

Fan Outcry and Reaction

The proposed changes ignited a firestorm of criticism 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 backlash was further evidenced by the surge in 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 some relief, many players feel that such a misstep should never have occurred. The community's vehement response underscores the critical role of player feedback in shaping game development decisions.

Respawn Entertainment's admission of their error and their pledge to improve communication and game quality is a positive move towards mending their relationship with the player base. As Season 22 looms on the horizon, fans are eagerly anticipating the promised enhancements and stability fixes outlined in the August 5th Patch Notes.