Apex Legends Battle Pass Updates Reversed

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

Following a significant player backlash, Respawn Entertainment has reversed course on its controversial Apex Legends battle pass overhaul. This article details the initial changes, the community's reaction, and Respawn's subsequent decision to reinstate the original pricing model.

Respawn Reinstates 950 Apex Coin Premium Battle Pass

Respawn announced via Twitter (X) that the planned two-part, $9.99 battle pass system for Season 22, which eliminated the option to purchase the premium pass using in-game Apex Coins, is cancelled. The Season 22 update, launching August 6th, will revert to the previous system.

The developers admitted a failure in communication surrounding the proposed changes and pledged improved transparency going forward. They reiterated their commitment to addressing player concerns, including cheat prevention, game stability, and quality-of-life improvements. Season 22 patch notes, detailing various stability fixes and improvements, will be released on August 5th.

The Revised Battle Pass Scheme

The battle pass structure for Season 22 is now simplified:

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

Payment is required only once per season for access to all tiers. This streamlined approach replaces the originally proposed, and heavily criticized, two-payment system.

The Backlash and Community Response

The initial July 8th announcement of the revised battle pass ignited widespread negative reactions from the Apex Legends community. Players voiced their frustration across various platforms, including Twitter (X) and the game's subreddit, leading to a surge of negative Steam reviews (over 80,587 at the time of writing).

While the reversal is welcomed, many players remain critical of the initial decision. The incident underscores the importance of player feedback in shaping game development decisions. Respawn's response, acknowledging their mistake and committing to improved communication, is a crucial step in rebuilding player trust. The community eagerly awaits the August 5th patch notes and the promised improvements to Season 22.