Apex Legends Battle Pass U-Turn: Respawn Reverses Controversial Changes
Respawn Entertainment has performed a complete about-face on its recently announced, and widely criticized, Apex Legends battle pass system. Following a significant player backlash, the developer has reversed course, restoring the original pricing model.
Restored 950 Apex Coin Premium Battle Pass
Respawn announced via Twitter (X) that the planned two-part, $9.99 battle pass system – eliminating the option to purchase the premium pass with in-game Apex Coins – is scrapped. The Season 22 update, launching August 6th, will revert to the familiar 950 Apex Coin premium battle pass option. The company acknowledged poor communication surrounding the proposed changes and pledged improved transparency going forward. Respawn emphasized their commitment to addressing player concerns, including cheat prevention, game stability, and quality-of-life improvements. Season 22 patch notes, detailing numerous stability fixes and improvements, are expected August 5th.
The Controversial Battle Pass Proposal
The original, now-abandoned, Season 22 battle pass structure involved:
- Free Pass
- Premium Pass (950 Apex Coins or equivalent)
- Ultimate Edition ($9.99)
- Ultimate+ Edition ($19.99)
Crucially, payment would have been required for each tier, once at the start of the season and again mid-season, significantly increasing the cost for players. This sharp contrast to the previous single-purchase system ignited the controversy.
Player Backlash and Community Response
The July 8th announcement of the new system triggered widespread negative reaction across social media (including Twitter/X and the Apex Legends subreddit) and resulted in a flood of negative Steam reviews (over 80,000 at the time of writing). Players overwhelmingly condemned the change.
While the reversal is welcomed, many players feel the situation should never have occurred. The intensity of the response underscores the importance of player feedback in game development. Respawn's admission of error and commitment to improved communication is a crucial step towards regaining player trust. As Season 22 nears, players await the promised improvements and bug fixes detailed in the upcoming patch notes.
