Apex Legends Reverts Movement Changes After Fan Outcry

Summary

• Apex Legends reverted a controversial change to tap-strafing due to community feedback.
• Respawn shared that unintended consequences of the change from the mid-season update negatively impacted the movement mechanic.
• The community praised the reversion, showing appreciation for preserving skillful movement techniques.

Apex Legends has responded to fan feedback by reverting a controversial change to tap-strafing. This adjustment was initially introduced during the mid-season update for Season 23, which launched on January 7 alongside the Astral Anomaly Event. The update included a wide range of balance adjustments for Legends and weapons.

Among the numerous changes, a small note in the Bug Fixes section caught the attention of many players. Respawn Entertainment had implemented a "buffer" to tap-strafes, which reduced the effectiveness of this advanced movement technique. Tap-strafing allows players to swiftly change direction in mid-air, making them harder to hit during combat. The change was intended to address "automated movement tech at high frame rates," but the community felt it went too far.

Fortunately, Respawn acknowledged the community's concerns. The developer announced that the change to tap-strafing had been reverted, admitting that the mid-season update had unintended negative effects on the movement mechanic. Respawn emphasized its commitment to combating "automated workarounds and degenerate play patterns" while preserving the skill involved in certain movement techniques, such as tap-strafing.

Apex Legends Reverts Controversial Nerf to Tap-Strafing

The decision to revert the nerf to tap-strafing has been met with widespread approval from the Apex Legends community. The game is renowned for its dynamic movement mechanics, and although the standard battle royale mode does not include wall running like its Titanfall predecessors, players can still execute impressive maneuvers using techniques like tap-strafing. On social media platforms like Twitter, players have expressed their support for Respawn's decision.

The impact of this reversion on the game's player base remains to be seen. It is unclear how many players may have paused their gameplay due to the initial nerf, and whether this change will encourage them to return.

Recent developments in Apex Legends have been significant. In addition to the mid-season update, the game introduced the Astral Anomaly Event, featuring new cosmetics and a refreshed version of the Launch Royale LTM. Respawn has also highlighted the importance of player feedback in shaping future updates, suggesting that further adjustments may be on the horizon to address other issues in the coming weeks.