Apex Pass Revamp Reversal

Respawn Entertainment Backtracks on Controversial Apex Legends Battle Pass Changes

Following significant player backlash, Respawn Entertainment has reversed course on its proposed changes to the Apex Legends battle pass system. The revised system, announced on Twitter (X), will maintain the familiar structure for Season 22, launching August 6th.

The initial proposal, unveiled July 8th, sparked outrage among players. It introduced a two-part battle pass requiring separate $9.99 purchases per season, eliminating the option to buy the premium pass with in-game Apex Coins. A new, more expensive "premium+" tier further fueled the controversy. This contrasted sharply with the previous system, where a single $9.99 purchase (or 950 Apex Coins) provided access to the full season's premium content.

The Community's Response

The negative reaction was immediate and widespread. Social media platforms like Twitter (X) and the Apex Legends subreddit were flooded with criticism. The Steam page for Apex Legends saw a surge in overwhelmingly negative reviews, reaching 80,587 at the time of this writing. Players voiced their frustration, with many vowing to boycott future battle pass purchases.

The Reversal and Moving Forward

Respawn acknowledged their communication failures and the negative impact of the proposed changes. They confirmed the reinstatement of the 950 Apex Coin premium battle pass for Season 22. The developer emphasized its commitment to player feedback, prioritizing bug fixes, anti-cheat measures, and quality-of-life improvements. Patch notes detailing these improvements are scheduled for release on August 5th.

The revised Season 22 battle pass structure is now:

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

With a single payment required per season for each tier.

While the reversal is welcomed, the incident underscores the importance of developer-community communication and the potential consequences of poorly conceived monetization strategies. Respawn’s response demonstrates a willingness to adapt based on player feedback, a crucial step in rebuilding trust. The upcoming patch notes will be closely scrutinized by the community as a measure of Respawn's commitment to improvement.