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 via Twitter (X) that the proposed two-part, $9.99 battle pass system, eliminating the option to purchase the premium pass with Apex Coins, will not be implemented in Season 22 (August 6th).
The original plan, unveiled July 8th, involved purchasing a premium battle pass twice per season, once at the beginning and again midway. This, coupled with the removal of the 950 Apex Coin purchase option (previously equivalent to a $9.99 coin bundle), and the introduction of a more expensive "Premium+" tier at $19.99 per half-season, ignited widespread outrage among players.
The community responded with overwhelmingly negative reviews on Steam (80,587 negative reviews at the time of writing), flooding social media platforms like Twitter (X) and the Apex Legends subreddit with expressions of disappointment and vows to boycott future battle passes.
Respawn's revised Season 22 battle pass structure is now significantly simpler:
- Free Pass
- Premium Pass (950 Apex Coins)
- Ultimate Edition ($9.99)
- Ultimate+ Edition ($19.99)
A single payment per season will cover all tiers.
Respawn acknowledged the poor communication surrounding the initial changes, promising improved transparency and timeliness in future announcements. They reiterated their commitment to addressing player concerns, prioritizing anti-cheat measures, game stability improvements, and quality-of-life updates. Patch notes detailing these improvements are expected on August 5th.
While the reversal is welcomed, the incident underscores the importance of player feedback and its influence on game development decisions. Respawn's response, while reactive, demonstrates a commitment to regaining player trust. The upcoming Season 22 will be a crucial test of this commitment.
