In the world of battle royale games, Apex Legends has made a name for itself as one of the most popular titles, offering fast-paced action, unique character abilities, and a team-based gameplay experience. However, as we enter 2024, the game has faced a significant decline in its player base, with a staggering 70% drop in Steam players. While Apex Legends remains one of the top battle royale games on many platforms, this loss is a major development that has raised eyebrows within the gaming community.
This article will explore the reasons behind Apex Legends’ steep drop in Steam player numbers, analyze the game’s current situation, and provide insight into how the game is attempting to address the decline. Additionally, we will take a look at the potential future of Apex Legends in the competitive gaming scene and the broader gaming industry.
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The Rise of Apex Legends: A Quick Overview

Before we delve into the decline, it’s essential to understand how Apex Legends became such a dominant force in the battle royale genre. Released in February 2019 by Respawn Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts (EA), Apex Legends quickly became a household name among gamers. The game differentiated itself from other battle royale titles like Fortnite and PUBG by introducing hero-based mechanics, where each character (or “Legend”) has unique abilities that can be used strategically during gameplay.
In addition to its fast-paced action and innovative mechanics, Apex Legends earned praise for its smooth and accessible gameplay, unique map designs, and player-focused updates. It attracted millions of players in its initial months and enjoyed consistent growth, both in terms of player count and competitive presence.
Apex Legends has also maintained a free-to-play model, relying on cosmetic purchases and season passes as its primary revenue source. With regular content updates, including new Legends, limited-time modes, and seasonal events, the game has continued to draw attention from the gaming community. However, despite all these factors, 2024 has been a year of challenges for the game.
70% Decline in Steam Players: What Went Wrong?

In early 2024, data revealed that Apex Legends had lost approximately 70% of its active player base on Steam. This drastic decline has raised several questions, as the game had been performing well in previous years. There are several factors contributing to this steep drop, and in this section, we will examine some of the most prominent reasons behind Apex Legends’ decline in popularity.
1. Competition from Other Battle Royale Games
One of the most significant reasons for Apex Legends’ drop in Steam players is the intense competition from other popular battle royale games. In particular, Fortnite and Call of Duty: Warzone have emerged as direct competitors to Apex Legends in the battle royale space. Both games offer a similar experience, with fast-paced, large-scale combat, but have managed to carve out their own niche.
While Fortnite boasts an ever-expanding universe of content, including crossovers with major pop culture franchises, Warzone offers a more realistic approach with its military-themed gameplay. Apex Legends, on the other hand, may have suffered from becoming somewhat stagnant, with players moving to other titles that offer fresh experiences.
2. Lack of Innovation and Content
Apex Legends’ initial success was largely driven by its innovative mechanics, but over time, players began to feel that the game’s content updates became repetitive. Seasonal updates and new Legends were not enough to sustain player interest for the long term. When compared to Fortnite’s massive live events, or Warzone’s large-scale seasonal changes, Apex Legends began to seem formulaic in its approach.
The lack of new, game-changing mechanics and innovative features in recent years made the game feel stagnant. Additionally, the player base felt that certain aspects of the game, such as map changes and new modes, were not evolving in ways that excited the community. Some players began to voice frustration over the lack of fresh content, which led to their departure from the game.
3. Increased Monetization and Pay-to-Win Elements
Apex Legends has faced criticism for its increasing monetization practices, particularly the introduction of pay-to-win mechanics in some of its updates. These changes led to player dissatisfaction, as many felt that the focus on microtransactions was affecting the gameplay experience.
In particular, weapon skins, Legend skins, and battle pass tiers became essential components of the game. While cosmetic items like skins are part of the game’s revenue model, certain pay-to-win elements (such as boosts and other progression enhancements) began to raise concerns. This shift in the game’s focus, moving away from core gameplay towards a more monetized experience, contributed to a negative perception of Apex Legends.
4. Bugs, Server Issues, and Technical Problems
Another contributing factor to the loss of players is the increasing number of bugs and server issues within the game. Players have reported frequent connection problems, server downtime, and game-breaking bugs that ruin the overall experience. These technical issues have driven many players away, as they expect a smooth gaming experience from a title of Apex Legends’ stature.
While Respawn Entertainment has made efforts to address these issues through patches and updates, the sheer volume of technical problems has caused frustration among players. For competitive players, these issues are particularly damaging, as even the slightest technical glitch can result in a loss or disadvantage in gameplay.
5. Declining Player Experience and Community Issues
Apex Legends has faced criticism over the years for its declining player experience. Many players have reported frustration with the game’s toxic community and the prevalence of cheating and smurfing (lower-ranked players intentionally playing at higher levels). Cheating in online multiplayer games can be a dealbreaker for many players, and Apex Legends is no exception.
Respawn Entertainment’s efforts to combat cheaters and create a healthier player environment have had limited success. The problem persisted, leading to a decrease in overall player satisfaction.
6. Streamers and Influencers Moving On
Another factor that has contributed to Apex Legends’ decline is the shifting focus of popular streamers and content creators. At its peak, Apex Legends enjoyed widespread popularity due to influential streamers showcasing the game on platforms like Twitch and YouTube. However, in 2024, many of these streamers have transitioned to other games or franchises, further contributing to the decline of the game’s player base.
Streamers have a significant impact on a game’s player base, and their departure can lead to a drop in interest among their followers. As more high-profile influencers moved to games like Fortnite, Warzone, and Valorant, Apex Legends saw a reduction in visibility and community engagement.
How Apex Legends is Responding to the Decline

Despite the loss of players, Respawn Entertainment has made it clear that they are not giving up on Apex Legends. The development team is working on several initiatives to revitalize the game and bring players back. Here are some of the strategies they are employing to regain player interest:
1. Fresh Content and Updates
In an attempt to recapture its audience, Apex Legends has started to introduce more diverse and frequent content updates. This includes new Legends, maps, and modes that aim to keep the experience fresh. The team is also focusing on improving the seasonal events to offer players new challenges and rewards.
2. Focus on Player Feedback
Respawn has made a concerted effort to engage with the Apex Legends community by seeking out and listening to player feedback. By incorporating community suggestions and addressing complaints about bugs, balance issues, and monetization, the developers hope to restore trust and build goodwill with the player base.
3. Combatting Cheating and Toxicity
To address issues with cheating and toxicity, Respawn Entertainment has implemented improved anti-cheat measures and introduced better reporting tools. They are also focusing on creating a healthier in-game environment, where players can enjoy the game without dealing with disruptive behavior.
4. Collaboration with Popular Streamers
Respawn is also looking to collaborate with influential streamers and content creators to help promote the game and bring back the player base. By engaging with streamers, they hope to once again generate excitement around Apex Legends and attract new players.
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Conclusion: The Future of Apex Legends
While the loss of 70% of Steam players in 2024 is a major setback for Apex Legends, it does not spell the end of the game. Respawn Entertainment is taking active steps to address the issues that have caused the decline and is focused on improving the gaming experience. By focusing on fresh content, community engagement, and resolving technical problems, Apex Legends can potentially make a comeback in the competitive gaming world.
It will take time for the game to recover from the significant player loss, but with the right updates and improvements, it’s possible that Apex Legends can regain its former glory. The battle royale genre is ever-evolving, and Apex Legends still has the potential to thrive with the right strategy.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What caused Apex Legends to lose 70% of its Steam players in 2024?
The loss can be attributed to a combination of factors, including increased competition from other battle royale games, lack of fresh content, monetization issues, technical problems, and a declining player experience due to cheating and community toxicity.
2. Is Apex Legends still worth playing in 2024?
Yes, despite the player decline, Apex Legends remains a top-tier battle royale game with frequent updates and active community engagement. If you’re a fan of the genre, it’s still worth checking out.
3. What is Respawn Entertainment doing to address the decline?
Respawn is focusing on introducing new content, improving technical performance, addressing player feedback, and combating issues like cheating and toxicity to revitalize the game.
4. Will Apex Legends make a comeback?
It’s possible. With continued updates, community engagement, and a focus on player satisfaction, Apex Legends has the potential to regain its player base and compete with other battle royale titles.
5. How does Apex Legends compare to other battle royale games like Fortnite and Warzone?
Apex Legends offers unique hero-based mechanics and a fast-paced gameplay style, differentiating it from other battle royales. However, it has faced challenges in maintaining player interest compared to competitors like Fortnite and Warzone, which offer constant content updates and live events.