Apex Legends Postpones Controversial Ranked Mode in Season 22

Apex Legends Postpones Controversial Ranked Mode in Season 22

Apex Legends developer Respawn Entertainment has announced a significant delay to one of its returning multiplayer modes, Ranked Rumble, which was initially set to return during Apex Legends Season 22. The competitive live-service game continually faces pressure to sustain the balance and excitement players expect while introducing fresh elements.

Challenges in Balancing Game Features

Maintaining game balance is a perpetual challenge for developers, especially when introducing new elements. Such was the case with the Apex Legends Season 22 Battle Sense feature, which received critical feedback before the season even launched. Similarly, Ranked Rumble, intended to go live in Season 22, faced a postponement. This mode, a variant of the standard ranked mode, offers separate leaderboards based on each rank tier for competitive play.

Details of the Ranked Rumble Delay

Respawn Entertainment announced that the return of Ranked Rumble would be delayed from its original launch date of September 13, 2024. While they did not specify exact reasons, player feedback was cited as a significant factor. In response to player queries on Twitter, Apex Legends Senior Community Manager Karen Lee mentioned that the team was “going back to the drawing board” and urged players to watch for future patch notes for more details.

Community Reactions

Online reactions to the Ranked Rumble delay have been mixed. Some players approved the decision, recalling issues with the previous iteration, such as glitches in ranking placements and matchmaking. Meanwhile, others urged Respawn to address more widespread bugs affecting ranked play and general gameplay. The earlier than intended ranked split in a previous season also led to widespread frustration.

Conclusion

Delaying Ranked Rumble may prove to be the right call for Respawn Entertainment. By fine-tuning the mode, they aim to enhance the overall player experience and adapt based on valuable community feedback. This decision underpins the intricate balance developers must achieve to keep a live-service game both enjoyable and fair.

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