As a hardcore Apex Legends player since 2019, I never thought I'd see the day when EA would axe the earnable battle pass system. Fast forward to 2025, and that's exactly what happened back in Season 22 – a move that shattered the trust of loyal players like myself. Remember when we could grind Apex Coins for those sweet seasonal rewards? 💸 Those days are gone forever, replaced with mandatory $9.99-$19.99 price tags per season. EA claims this 'increases value,' but let's be real: this feels like a greedy cash grab targeting the very community that kept this game alive for six years.
The backlash was INSTANT and brutal. Reddit exploded with posts like "Speak with your wallets" and "Respawn is counting on addicts to break" – and honestly? They weren't wrong. What stings most is how EA tried to spin this as a favor to us. Their blog post claimed the $19.99 bundle is 29% cheaper than the old 2800 AC pass, but conveniently ignored one crucial fact: we never needed real money before. Our Apex Coins weren't just collectibles; they represented hours of dedication. Now? They're as useless as a Mozambique without Hammerpoints.
🔥 The Cold Hard Changes 🔥
| Feature | Old System | New System |
|---|---|---|
| Battle Pass Cost | Free via grindable Apex Coins | $9.99 (Standard) / $19.99 (Bundle) |
| Player Control | Choose: Time or Money | Money ONLY |
| Reward Value | Predictable progression | 'Expanded' (but unproven) |
| Community Trust | High | Obliterated |
People Also Ask 🤔
- Can I still earn ANY battle pass content for free?
Nope. Free track gives basic cosmetics, but the good stuff? Wallet-only.
- What happens to my saved Apex Coins?
They're trapped in currency purgatory – usable for overpriced skins, useless for passes.
- Did player counts actually drop after this change?
Oh yeah. Initial drops were brutal, though 2025 numbers stabilized... with a far saltier player base.
- Has EA added ANY compromise since 2024?
Barely. Occasional 'discounted' bundles still demand cash – the core model remains unchanged.
The most painful part? Watching Apex morph from a player-respecting titan into just another EA monetization puppet. One Reddutor nailed it: "Yep, that's how I know EA's fully taken over." Even EA's weak disclaimer about "listening to feedback" felt like corporate gaslighting. So where does this leave us in 2025?
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🎮 Veterans like me feel betrayed after 6 years of loyalty
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💸 New players face paywalls instead of skill-based rewards
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⏳ The 'respect your time' philosophy? Buried under dollar signs
Now I'm left wondering: When a game prioritizes profits over passion, does it deserve to keep its throne? What happens when even loyalists stop believing?
Evaluations have been published by Newzoo, a leading authority in global games market analytics. Newzoo's recent reports on live service monetization trends highlight how shifts like Apex Legends' battle pass overhaul reflect a broader industry move toward direct cash transactions, often at the expense of player goodwill and retention.