Apex Legends Battle Pass Changes Were a Big Whoopsie So Respawn Reverses Course

Respawn Entertainment Backtracks on Controversial Apex Legends Battle Pass Changes

Respawn Entertainment has reversed course on its recently announced, and heavily criticized, Apex Legends battle pass changes. Following significant player backlash, the developer announced on X (formerly Twitter) that the revised system, which included two $9.99 battle passes per season and eliminated the option to purchase the premium pass with Apex Coins, will not be implemented.

The original plan sparked outrage among the Apex Legends community. The proposed system would have required players to pay $9.99 twice for the premium battle pass, a significant departure from the previous model where it cost 950 Apex Coins (or $9.99 for a 1000 coin bundle). A new, more expensive "premium+" option further fueled the negative response.

The U-Turn and the New Plan

Respawn confirmed that the Season 22 update, launching August 6th, will revert to the previous battle pass structure:

• Free Battle Pass
• Premium Battle Pass (950 Apex Coins)
• Ultimate Edition ($9.99)
• Ultimate+ Edition ($19.99)

Payment will be required once per season for all tiers.

Respawn acknowledged communication failures and pledged to improve transparency in future updates. They reiterated their commitment to addressing player concerns such as cheating, game stability, and quality-of-life improvements. Patch notes detailing stability fixes are expected on August 5th.

The Community's Reaction and its Impact

The negative reaction was widespread, with players voicing their displeasure across various platforms, including X and the Apex Legends subreddit. The Steam page for Apex Legends saw a surge in negative reviews.

While the reversal is welcomed, the incident underscores the importance of player feedback in game development. Respawn's response, acknowledging their mistakes and promising better communication, is a crucial step in rebuilding trust with the community. The upcoming patch notes will be closely scrutinized as players await the promised improvements.