Apex Legends Battle Pass undergoes a revamp and guess who’s better off? Spoiler, it’s not you

The concept of the Battle Pass has been embraced by many a gamer over the years but its insidious creep into the major organs of our bank accounts continues unabated.

Preying on gamers’ innate desire to chalk off progression things started simply enough – gain some XP, move up a level which would then give you an utterly worthless cosmetic such as a stripy gun, but, more deeply when you are waiting in a lobby, a means of comparing yourself to other players. Not that this was an accurate comparison because largely it was a sign of time played over skill, but it was a badge no less, and it would cost you a few dollars per “season” to do it again and again.

Fair enough to a point in games such as Apex Legends, which are free to jump into so throwing a bit back the devs way for the fun you were having seemed okay (for devs read Electronic Arts / Respawn).

Then, games that were full price started having a Battle Pass as well, so you’d be paying $70 for the game then effectively a Netflix-esque subscription every few weeks on top. Of course, only the most loyal players continue to buy them – if you dipped in and out it means nothing to the publishers. There did used to be a world where the loyal customers got rewarded, not fleeced, but that friends, is not the world we live in anymore.

Following this move now Battle Passes and cosmetics have made their way into the most pointless of areas – single-player games. You can’t even show off what you have got to anybody. Where is that shrugging emoji?

Amongst it all, though there was one light and one that Fortnite and Apex Legends kept lit because progressing far enough through a battle pass would generally award you enough free in-game currency to get the next one – a reward if you like.

Cue the realization in the board room when it dawned on the money men this was costing them cash and that brings us to today, where Apex Legends players are up in arms and threatening to boycott the hugely popular shooter because changes have been made that can only ever benefit the corporation behind it.

A traditional Apex Battle Pass used to cost 1,000 Apex Coins which would set you back $9.99/£8.99. Once you had bought one you would then earn coins throughout and generally at least have some towards the next one. LOOPHOLE the commercial guys shouted.

Now, going forward Apex will have TWO Battle Passes per season and you have to buy them both with real money. No more Apex coin farming. Get your cards out.

Starting with Season 22, we’re evolving the Apex Legends Battle Pass to improve your experience and progression goals.

Read on to learn everything to know about the upcoming changes or check out the infographic below to learn more.