Apex Legends Battle Pass Update: Respawn Reverses Course

Apex Legends Battle Pass U-Turn: Respawn Reverses Controversial Changes

Following intense player backlash, Respawn Entertainment has performed a 180 on its proposed Apex Legends battle pass overhaul. The developer announced a complete reversal of its controversial two-part, paid battle pass system via Twitter (X). The new system, slated for the August 6th Season 22 update, will not be implemented.

Respawn's Revised Battle Pass Plan

The original plan, announced July 8th, involved two $9.99 purchases per season for the premium battle pass, eliminating the option to buy it with Apex Coins. This sparked outrage among players. Now, the Season 22 battle pass will revert to the familiar structure:

• Free Pass: Available to all players.
• Premium Pass: Purchasable for 950 Apex Coins.
• Ultimate & Ultimate+ Bundles: Available for $9.99 and $19.99 respectively, with a single purchase per season.

Player Backlash and Respawn's Response

The initial announcement was met with widespread criticism across social media and the Apex Legends subreddit. Negative Steam reviews surged, with over 80,000 negative reviews registered at the time of writing. Players voiced concerns about the increased cost and the removal of the Apex Coin purchase option.

Respawn has apologized for the poor communication surrounding the initial changes, promising improved transparency going forward. They emphasized their commitment to addressing player concerns, including anti-cheat measures, game stability, and quality-of-life improvements. Patch notes for Season 22, detailing stability fixes, are expected on August 5th.

The Road Ahead

While the reversal is welcomed, the controversy underscores the importance of developer-community communication. The swift about-face demonstrates the power of player feedback and its impact on game development decisions. The upcoming Season 22 update will be closely watched as Respawn aims to rebuild player trust.