Electronic Arts (EA) and Respawn Entertainment have reversed course on a controversial decision regarding Apex Legends’ Season 22 battle pass. The initial change, which removed the option for players to purchase the premium battle pass using Apex Coins, sparked widespread outrage and criticism from the game’s community.
The decision to remove the option to purchase the battle pass with Apex Coins and instead require a flat $9.99 fee was met with fierce backlash. Players flooded Steam with negative reviews, ultimately bombarding the game’s store page with over 80,000 negative reviews. This overwhelming response pressured EA and Respawn to reconsider their approach.
In response to the outcry, EA and Respawn have announced that they will reintroduce the previous pricing structure, allowing players to purchase the Season 22 battle pass using Apex Coins. The original exchange rate has been reinstated, and the battle pass will now cost 950 Apex Coins.
Respawn acknowledged their misstep in a message to fans, stating: “You’ve spoken, and we’ve listened. With the release of Season 22 we will restore the ability to get the Premium Battle Pass for 950 Apex Coins. We recognize that we could have handled the Battle Pass changes better–that’s on us.”
This reversal highlights the power of player feedback in the gaming industry. EA and Respawn’s decision to listen to their community demonstrates the importance of player engagement and the potential consequences of ignoring player concerns.
