7 things that are killing Apex Legends

Several factors are killing Apex Legends as the game has hit rock bottom in total concurrent players. According to a post by Apex Legends content creator @RossTheeSquirrel on X, the title had its lowest player count since the end of 2021. Nevertheless, this isn't a new situation for the game, as it has previously experienced periods of growth and decline. The latest drama is the Season 21 mid-season update which sparked debates, with users reporting performance issues.

The challenges extend beyond performance issues, as the game seems to encounter a fresh concern with each new season. This article outlines seven things that are killing Apex Legends.

Note: This article solely reflects the writer's opinions.

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Factors contributing to the downfall of Apex Legends

1) Cheaters

Cheaters in Apex Legends (Image via Electronic Arts)

Cheating has been a persistent issue in Apex Legends since its early days. A notable instance was the ALGS hack event, which significantly impacted the game's competitive landscape. Some players use unauthorized tools, like cheats or scripts, to gain an unfair edge, contributing to the game's decline. Allowing these issues to proliferate drives away swaths of players who would genuinely engage with the title.

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2) Bad Anti-cheat

Easy Anti-cheat (EAC) in Apex Legends (Image via Electronic Arts)

Easy Anti-cheat (EAC), a service intended to curb hacking and cheating in multiplayer PC games, including Apex Legends, Fortnite, and The Finals, faces credibility questions. Despite claims, it has struggled to detect cheats, and hackers often bypass it. The absence of significant security updates has reportedly contributed to a rise in game cheaters.

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3) Performance issues

Micro stutters in Apex Legends (Image via Electronic Arts)

Player reviews on the Steam platform suggest a decline in performance with each update. The Season 21 mid-season update introduced FPS drops and Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors, prompting some players to seek alternatives. The new Quads mode has been marred by gun bugs, synchronization issues, and frustrating crashes for both newcomers and seasoned players.

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4) Replayability

Deathmatch mode in Apex Legends (Image via Electronic Arts)

A significant factor in Apex Legends' diminishing player base is the perceived lack of content. The eagerly anticipated Solos mode, after a year-long wait, was finally introduced as a limited-time feature, only to be replaced by the new Quads mode. While players appreciate this change, beyond these modes, the Apex Legends experience remains largely confined to battle-royale and arena shooter styles. This has left many players yearning for more diverse gameplay options.

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5) Skill-ceiling

Tap strafing movement tech in Apex Legends (Image via Electronic Arts)

Apex Legends is a battle-royale game that requires players to strategically balance Legend's abilities and gunplay to emerge victorious. Newcomers often find it challenging to compete with seasoned players in public matches. The introduction of advanced movement techniques, combined with abilities and gunplay, has steepened the learning curve, potentially making it difficult for new players to keep up

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6) Community support

Apex Legends UK community showdown (Image via Electronic Arts)

The Apex community often feels unheard and ignored due to the ignorance of the developers. The developers at Respawn Entertainment fail to comprehend the demands of the players and their solution to every problem is a new collection event. All the aforementioned issues can be solved if the developers take notes from the player's feedback.

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7) Balancing issues

Meta shift while focused on making balance changes can be frustrating for the Legend-specific players in Apex Legends (Image via Electronic Arts)

Meta shifts, such as changes to a specific Legend or weapon class, ruined player experience in Apex Legends. Gamers who have developed a fondness for certain characters may find themselves having to adapt to these new changes. The grind, or the process of leveling up and improving one's character, can seem somewhat wasted.

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