Apex Legends Season 22 Introduces Significant Battle Pass Changes, and Fans Aren’t Happy
Apex Legends, the popular battle royale game from Respawn Entertainment and EA, is set to undergo a major overhaul of its Battle Pass system in Season 22. While the developers state these changes aim to improve player experience and progression, the community’s initial reaction has been largely negative. Players are expressing widespread dissatisfaction with the new structure, particularly concerning changes to how Battle Passes are purchased and the perceived increase in cost. This article delves into the specifics of these revisions and explores why dedicated fans are voicing such strong opposition to what some see as a fundamental shift in the game’s monetization strategy.
Key Structural Changes to the Battle Pass
Previously, an Apex Legends season featured a single Battle Pass with 110 levels for players to complete, culminating in two Reactive Weapon skins. With Season 22, this familiar structure is being replaced by two separate, shorter Battle Passes. Each new half-season pass will feature 60 levels and include one Reactive Weapon skin. Respawn’s official announcement highlights that this split is intended to align seasonal progression more closely with the Ranked seasons and offer a better value for players’ time. Essentially, players will now engage with two distinct progression tracks over a full season, each with its own set of rewards, rather than one prolonged grind.
Overhaul of the Monetization Model: Real Money Takes Over
One of the most contentious changes is the shift in how Premium Battle Passes are purchased. Historically, players could buy a Premium Battle Pass using Apex Coins (AC), the in-game currency. Often, enough Apex Coins could be earned from a completed Premium Battle Pass to fund the next one, creating a self-sustaining cycle for engaged players. However, starting in Season 22, each half-season Premium Battle Pass will cost a flat $10 USD. The option to purchase these passes with Apex Coins is being entirely removed. This means players who have been diligently saving their Apex Coins, either earned through gameplay or previous purchases, will no longer be able to use them for future Battle Passes.
Revised Premium Pass Rewards and ‘Value’ Proposition
Despite the removal of Apex Coin purchases for Battle Passes, EA and Respawn claim an increase in overall value. Free-tier players will reportedly receive twice the seasonal rewards, including more Apex Coins. For those opting for the Premium track, the amount of crafting materials and Apex/Legend-themed packs is also said to be doubled. Furthermore, the existing Premium Bundle (previously 2800 Apex Coins) is being rebranded as “Premium+” and will cost $19.99 USD. This new bundle offers 10 level skips, additional Exotic Shards, two Premium+ Legendary Character Skin Variants, and temporary access to all Legends for the duration of the Battle Pass. Respawn argues this new pricing represents a roughly 29% cost reduction compared to the old Premium Bundle when converting Apex Coin value to real currency.
Apex Legends fans react to the new Battle Pass
The introduction of these changes has been met with significant backlash across the Apex Legends community. Social media platforms and game forums are alight with critical discussions, with many players expressing anger and disappointment. The general sentiment is that these revisions are detrimental to the player experience and primarily serve to increase revenue for EA and Respawn. Players feel that the “improved value” claims are disingenuous, as the shift from a potentially self-sustaining Battle Pass economy to mandatory real-money purchases feels like a significant downgrade for dedicated players.
Loss of the Self-Sustaining Battle Pass Economy
A core complaint from the community revolves around the discontinuation of the self-sustaining Battle Pass model. For years, committed Apex Legends players could purchase a Premium Battle Pass once and, by completing it, earn enough Apex Coins to acquire the next season’s pass without further real-money spending. This system fostered strong player engagement, as it provided a tangible, recurring reward for consistent play. Removing this incentive forces players into a recurring financial commitment, fundamentally altering the perceived value proposition. Many feel that the new model transforms what was once an optional, long-term investment into a twice-a-season mandatory purchase, stripping away a significant player-friendly feature.
Future Implications and Remaining Unanswered Questions
The long-term implications of these Battle Pass changes for Apex Legends remain to be seen. While existing Apex Coins can still be used for Legends, Apex Packs, and other in-game store items, their primary utility for Battle Passes is gone. Respawn has also mentioned a limited-time opportunity in Season 22 where players can unlock the first half of the premium Battle Pass by completing “a set of challenges” within the first two weeks of launch. However, details about these challenges and whether this will be a recurring option in future seasons are scarce. The community fears that these changes could lead to reduced player retention, particularly among those who valued the previous Battle Pass system for its accessibility and rewarding progression. Restoring player trust will be a significant challenge for the developers moving forward.
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