Apex Legends, the popular battle royale shooter, is facing a double wave of controversy in recent weeks. First, a controversial revamp of the game's battle pass system has sparked outrage among players, followed by a major blunder in prize payments for the Apex Legends Global Series tournament.
Battle Pass Backlash
Respawn Entertainment, the developer behind Apex Legends, announced a significant overhaul of the game's battle pass system for Season 22 and beyond. The battle pass will now be split into two halves, each with 60 levels, and will no longer be purchasable with in-game currency, Apex Coins (AC). Players can now only buy the battle pass with real-world money. Respawn claims the change is designed to "increase value" for players.
However, the community has vehemently rejected this justification. Players are upset by the removal of the ability to purchase the battle pass with AC, which they could previously earn through playing the game and completing the battle pass. Many view this change as a money-grabbing tactic aimed at squeezing more revenue from a shrinking player base.
The backlash has been swift and severe. Players have flooded Steam with negative reviews, tanking the game's rating from mostly positive to mostly negative. This dramatic shift in player sentiment underscores the frustration and anger stemming from the battle pass changes.
Esports Error:
Adding insult to injury, the Apex Legends Global Series tournament, a major esports event for the game, encountered a major error in prize payments. Players reported receiving incorrect payments, with some players receiving significantly more or less than they were owed. One player even received $100,000 after just a few days of play.
Tournament organizer ESL Faceit has taken responsibility for the error, attributing it to a "systems error" that led to incorrect prize disbursements. The organization has committed to quickly resolving the issue and ensuring all players receive their correct prize payments. However, the incident has undoubtedly cast a shadow over the tournament and further damaged the game's reputation.
Facing the Future:
The recent controversies surrounding Apex Legends have raised serious concerns about the direction the game is heading. The battle pass changes, specifically the elimination of AC purchase option, have been met with widespread disapproval, highlighting player dissatisfaction with Respawn's monetization practices. The esports error, while accidental, reinforces a perception of disorganization and mishandling, which could further alienate fans and players.
It remains to be seen how Respawn and EA will respond to the growing backlash. Addressing player concerns, re-evaluating the battle pass changes, and restoring confidence in the esports ecosystem are crucial steps towards regaining trust and maintaining the game's long-term viability.