Season 22 of Apex Legends has introduced several changes to the game, including a reworked battle pass system that has left many players feeling confused and potentially shortchanged. While the new battle pass structure was intended to bring more content and excitement, it seems that EA and Respawn may have inadvertently created more problems than they solved.
The new battle pass system now features a battle pass every split—essentially every half-season. Players can choose between two versions: the Premium Pass, which costs $10, and the Premium Plus Pass, priced at $20. The Premium Plus Pass offers additional legendary skins and other perks, making it an attractive option for dedicated players. However, things started to unravel when players discovered discrepancies in how the system works on different platforms.
The Console vs. PC Discrepancy
On PC, if you’ve completed the free Premium Battle Pass challenges, you can upgrade to the Premium Plus Pass at a discounted rate of $10. This makes sense, as you’ve already unlocked the Premium Pass through challenges, so upgrading should cost less. However, console players have reported that this discount doesn’t apply to them. Even after completing the free challenges, console players still have to pay the full $20 to upgrade to the Premium Plus Pass, leaving many feeling scammed.
While it’s likely that this was an unintended error rather than a deliberate move by EA, the lack of a discount on consoles has caused significant frustration. The difference between platforms is perplexing, and players who feel they’ve overpaid are calling for refunds or at least some acknowledgment of the issue from EA.
Confusion Over Instant Rewards
The confusion doesn’t end with the pricing discrepancies. When the new battle pass system was announced, an infographic indicated that players who purchased the Ultimate Plus Pass or Ultimate Pass would receive instant rewards, including legendary packs, epic packs, and crafting metals. However, many players, after upgrading to the Ultimate Plus Pass, reported that they didn’t receive these rewards.
It appears that this infographic was meant for future splits, not for the current split in Season 22. In Split 1, the crafting metals and packs are integrated into the pass, meaning players need to progress through the pass to earn them rather than receiving them instantly. This change in the reward structure was not clearly communicated, leading to widespread confusion.
Removal of Treasure Packs
Adding to the frustration, Apex Legends also quietly removed the treasure pack system. Treasure packs used to provide players with additional Apex packs and rewards throughout the season, but with their removal, players are now missing out on up to 10 packs per season. This change was not mentioned in the patch notes, further contributing to the feeling that players are being shortchanged this season.
Where Are Duos?
Another significant issue is the mysterious disappearance of the Duos mode. Many players expected Duos to return with the launch of Season 22, but instead, they were met with the Trios Revival mode and other trio-based game modes. Despite being a fan-favorite mode, Duos has been absent for over three months, and there’s no word from the developers on when, or if, it will return.
What’s Next for Apex Legends?
The launch of Season 22 has been far from smooth, with these battle pass issues and the disappearance of Duos leaving a sour taste in many players’ mouths. While it’s clear that Respawn and EA intended to refresh the game with new content and systems, the execution has been lacking. Players are hoping for clearer communication, more transparency, and, importantly, fixes to these ongoing issues.
As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how these problems are addressed and whether EA and Respawn can regain the trust of their player base. For now, players are advised to be cautious when upgrading their battle passes and to stay informed about any updates or changes that may affect their in-game purchases.
