Respawn Fumbles Attempt to Boost Apex Legends Battle Pass
Apex Legends, the popular battle royale game, has recently announced significant changes to its battle pass structure, which are causing a stir among the player base. The new "improved" system, which aims to make the game more approachable and valuable, has instead sparked protests and dissatisfaction. Let’s break down these changes and their impact on the community.
Key Changes to the Battle Pass
The revamped battle pass structure introduces two major changes:
- Two 60-Tier Battle Passes Per Season: Instead of the traditional 110-tier pass, each season will now feature two 60-tier battle passes.
- Real Money for Premium Tracks: Players must now use real money to purchase the premium battle pass tracks, as the option to pay with in-game currency, Apex Coins, has been removed.
These adjustments have not been well received, with players expressing frustration over the new system. Let's explore these changes in detail.
The Breakdown of the New Battle Pass System
In the old model, players could spend 950 Apex Coins (around $9.99) to access the premium battle pass track for an entire season. This could be earned by playing the game, making it possible to unlock future passes without spending real money. The new structure requires $9.99 for each half-season pass or $19.99 for a Premium+ track, which includes additional rewards while boosting the progress speed.
What’s Supposed to Be Better?
Respawn, the game’s developer, claims the new structure offers several benefits:
- Easier Access to Desirable Items: The smaller, 60-tier passes are designed to make it quicker to earn top-tier rewards, including legendary skins and a reactive weapon skin.
- More Crafting Metals and Apex Packs: Players will receive these rewards more frequently.
- Reduced Filler Items: Items like weapon charms, which weren’t popular, will appear less often.
However, the removal of the option to pay with Apex Coins has overshadowed these potential benefits.
Community Backlash
The immediate reaction from the Apex Legends community has been overwhelmingly negative. Players have been complaining mostly about the shift from in-game currency to real money for premium tracks, which is seen as a blatant cash grab. Since Apex Coins can no longer be used for future premium passes, their value has significantly diminished. With two battle passes per season, players now have less time to complete each pass, amplifying the fear of missing out. |
Player Reactions and Protests
One player quickly organized a protest on the Apex subreddit, calling for a boycott of the new battle pass. While some players doubt the effectiveness of such actions, the level of discontent is clear. Threads with titles like "Alright guys, I'm out," "Farewell Apex, it was fun while it lasted," and "Is Apex Dying?" reflect the community’s anger and disappointment.
What Does This Mean for the Future?
The first half-season battle pass will debut with Season 22 in August. To encourage adoption of the new format, Respawn is offering the premium track for free to players who complete specific challenges within the first two weeks. However, whether this will appease the disgruntled community remains to be seen.
The new battle pass structure in Apex Legends was intended to boost the game's accessibility and value, but it has instead boosted frustration among players. By removing the option to use in-game currency and increasing the frequency of passes, Respawn has ignited a significant backlash. As Season 22 approaches, it will be interesting to see how these changes play out and whether Respawn will address the community's concerns.
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