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

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

Following intense player backlash, Respawn Entertainment has performed a 180 on their planned Apex Legends battle pass overhaul. The developer announced a reversal of the controversial new system via Twitter (X), confirming the original 950 Apex Coin premium battle pass will return with Season 22's August 6th launch.

The proposed changes, which included two $9.99 battle passes per season and the elimination of Apex Coin purchases for the premium pass, were met with widespread criticism. Respawn admitted communication failures and pledged improved transparency moving forward. They reiterated their commitment to addressing player concerns, including anti-cheat measures, game stability, and quality-of-life updates. Season 22 patch notes, detailing stability improvements and bug fixes, are slated for release on August 5th.

The Revised Battle Pass System

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 once per season for all tiers. This streamlined approach is a stark contrast to the initially proposed, twice-per-season payment model.

The Backlash

The July 8th announcement of the original, two-payment battle pass system triggered significant negative reactions. Players flooded Twitter (X) and the Apex Legends subreddit with complaints, describing the changes as unacceptable and threatening to boycott future battle pass purchases. The negative sentiment was further amplified by a surge of negative reviews on the game's Steam page (80,587 at the time of writing).

While the reversal is welcomed, many players feel the situation should never have escalated to this point. The strong response underscores the importance of player feedback in game development decisions. Respawn's admission of error and commitment to improved communication and game enhancements represent a step towards regaining player trust. As Season 22 nears, players eagerly await the promised improvements outlined in the upcoming patch notes.