Apex Legends, a popular battle royale game developed by Respawn Entertainment, has recently faced a wave of negative user reviews on its Steam page. The backlash comes after the announcement of significant changes to the game’s battle pass system for Season 22. Previously known for its seasonal battle passes containing 110 levels of cosmetics and in-game currency, Apex Legends has now opted to introduce two 60-level battle passes per season, along with a price increase.
Since the announcement on July 8th, the game has seen a drastic increase in negative reviews on its Steam page. The total number of negative reviews has reached 35,035, resulting in the game’s July score being labeled as “overwhelmingly negative.” Players have expressed disappointment and frustration over the changes, with only 1,997 positive reviews posted since the announcement. Many long-time players feel betrayed by the new system, as it eliminates the ability to use in-game currency to purchase the next season’s battle pass.
In addition to the reduction in levels and removal of the option to purchase the battle pass with Apex Coins, the price of each battle pass has also been increased to $10 USD ($20 USD for the upgraded version). This means that players will now have to pay more than double the previous price to access the same amount of content as before. Furthermore, the mid-season split introduces a shorter time frame for players to unlock all 60 levels of each battle pass, adding more pressure to maintain progress throughout the season.
The community response to the changes has been overwhelmingly negative, with players highlighting the loss of a sense of reward for long-time players. The ability to purchase future battle passes with earned currency was a significant incentive for players to continue engaging with the game. By removing this feature, Respawn has alienated a portion of its player base who valued the progression system and felt gratified by their investment of time and effort into the game.
The shift in the battle pass system not only affects the financial aspect of the game but also impacts the overall player experience. With the increased pressure to unlock content within a shorter timeframe, players may feel rushed or overwhelmed by the new requirements. This could lead to a decline in player engagement and satisfaction, ultimately affecting the longevity of the game and its community.
The recent changes to Apex Legends’ battle pass system have sparked a significant backlash from the player community on Steam. The shift to two 60-level battle passes per season, coupled with a price increase and the removal of the ability to purchase future passes with in-game currency, has left many players feeling disappointed and frustrated. It remains to be seen how Respawn Entertainment will address the concerns raised by the community and whether further adjustments will be made to restore player satisfaction and trust in the game.
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