Apex Legends Due to widespread player dissatisfaction, developer Respawn has decided to abandon its plan to make the game’s Battle Pass only available for purchase with real money.
In early July, the developer announced a revised Battle Pass that would launch alongside the game’s next season, Season 22. The plan was for a new Battle Pass to be released every half season, rather than every season, and Respawn would remove the option to purchase a Battle Pass with 950 Apex Coins, the game’s premium currency. The new cost would be $9.99.
It was the latest change that particularly angered players. While Apex Coins can be purchased for real money, with 950 Apex Coins being worth about $10, the currency can also be earned in-game, and it’s always been possible to earn enough Apex Coins from one Battle Pass to purchase the next. Players responded by review bombing Apex Legends on Steam; recent reviews are now “overwhelmingly negative” and the game has received over 75,000 negative reviews in the last 30 days.
“You spoke and we listened,” Respawn said in a note posted on X. “With the launch of Season 22, we’re restoring the ability to earn the Premium Battle Pass for 950 Apex Coins. We acknowledge that we could have handled the Battle Pass changes better — that’s our fault.”
In apology, Respawn said it would also make the first Season 22 Battle Pass effectively free, unlockable by “completing a series of simple in-game challenges.” It also promised that starting in the second half of Season 22, it would again be possible to earn enough Apex Coins from one pass to get the next.
However, Respawn hasn’t reversed its decision to switch to two Battle Passes per season — which effectively doubled the available rewards, but also doubled the cost for players. The studio also kept the top tier of the Battle Pass, now known as Ultimate+, as a real-money-only purchase for $19.99. The developer published an infographic detailing the revised Battle Pass structure.
“Moving forward, we recognize that we need to be more timely, transparent, and consistent in our communications with you,” Respawn said, before pledging to take action on other issues important to players, such as cheaters, game stability, and quality-of-life updates. “We have to get better, and that’s why we’re acknowledging (these issues) here,” the studio said.
Respawn promised that the first of these fixes would arrive alongside Season 22, when it launches on August 6.