Apex Legends News

[p]Apex has evolved so much since its initial launch, but something that has not changed is our intention for the sound of Apex: a balance of feedback, immersion, and emotion. Our primary focus is feedback, which  delivers critical information to understand each situation, while immersion and emotion are what make the world of Apex unique and real. We strive to ensure every sound belongs in the Outlands and behaves in predictable ways. It’s worth mentioning that these features we’re adding for 27.0 aren’t all we have in store, but are a significant first step with more to come.[/p][p]In addition to rigorous internal testing, we rely heavily on our community’s experience to help us understand, improve, and prioritize our efforts. Just like every aspect of Apex Legends, audio is constantly developing and some of the changes we've been working on are nearly ready to be added to the game. Here’s a TLDR of everything we’re covering today that will be available with our upcoming season 27 on November 4, 2025:[/p]

• [p]Updated Mixing: a new mix option to give each player the choice of how they prefer to experience the game—you can choose from the “Original” or the new “Focused” mix which reduces the volume of local player weapons (but not enemies), completely removes squadmate footsteps and increases enemy footsteps.[/p]
• [p]Threat System: a dynamic evaluation of potential danger to drive contextual mix decisions for each player.[/p]
• [p]Multiband Sidechain Compression: allows an active sound to dynamically lower the volume of other sounds; reducing clutter and increasing consistency. [/p]
• [p]Environmental Audio Processing: new tech to allow for a more gradual blend as you approach and move between openings and doorways.[/p]
• [p]Observability: new telemetry to track each time the game adjusts an enemy footstep event to allow for additional monitoring across different maps and gamemodes.[/p]

[h2]OVERVIEW[/h2][p]There are multiple methods used to dynamically affect the game mix to feature critical sounds when needed. Our most basic method of making changes to the balance of sounds during the game are what we call "mix snapshots," which we use to modify the volume and audible distance of individual and categories of sounds. [/p][p]Audio Voice Priority is the second layer of complexity within our audio system which helps to ensure that the sounds that matter most are played in favor of others. Some examples of this are enemy sounds being prioritized over squadmates, and threat sounds (ex. weapons, explosions) prioritized over ambient sounds. A sound's priority value is determined based on a number of factors including when it was started, its distance from you, volume, and more. [/p][p]Occlusion and reverb are two more keys to the puzzle that help locate sounds accurately. A sound behind a surface will have its frequency modified according to the density of the material occluding it, and the reverberation helps to identify if the sound is interior or exterior and the size of that space. This helps to identify when a sound source is in the same space as you or somewhere else. Frequency and gain are also modified by distance from the player, helping to pin-point the sound’s emitting position. All of these systems work together to provide a balance of immersion and clarity. The experience feels natural when working well, but can be jarring when it isn’t.[/p][h2]UPDATED MIXING[/h2][p]The amount of Legends, weapons, and other sources of sound has increased over our time in the Outlands and we’ve worked to maintain a consistent sonic signature for our universe. In addition to other technologies, we’ve been working on a new mix option to give each player the choice of how they prefer to experience the game.[/p][p][/p][p]to watch videos: https://www.ea.com/games/apex-legends/apex-legends/news/showdown-audio-update[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]The new "Focused Mix" is optimized for threat detection and will be enabled by default starting in season 27, but you’ll be able to swap to the "Original Mix" that was previously the standard via the Audio Options should you prefer. Here’s some of the key differences:[/p]

• [p]Lowered volume for your weapons and abilities[/p]
• [p]Completely removed squadmate footsteps[/p]
• [p]Louder enemy footsteps: in particular a slight reduction in the volume delta between jogging and sprinting[/p]

[p]As with everything, your feedback will be critical for us on this feature and we'll be making adjustments over time.[/p][h2]THREAT SYSTEM[/h2][p]What is important sonically changes moment to moment, and player to player. We've been working on a dynamic threat system to help drive contextual decisions that can affect the mix. Data (enemy proximity, line of sight, bullet proximity, and more) is continually evaluated to calculate a unique threat value for each player. That value can be used to affect the mix in many ways such as lowering the volume or audible distance of sounds that provide flavor but aren’t priority during combat, or to increase the volume of key indicators of potential threats such as enemy footsteps.[/p][p][/p][p]to watch videos: https://www.ea.com/games/apex-legends/apex-legends/news/showdown-audio-update[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]We’re also exploring new ways of using this threat evaluation to grant other audio systems more contextual awareness. For example, the game now checks your squad’s threat level when deciding whether or not to let Legends say non-combat dialogue lines and keep you in the right type of mindset.[/p][h2]MULTIBAND SIDECHAIN COMPRESSION[/h2][p]Multiband Sidechain Compression will be joining the Apex Legends sound squad in season 27. This will allow us to use an active sound to dynamically lower the volume of other sounds and create small 'pockets' for targeted sounds to play in; reducing clutter to increasing their consistency.[/p][p][/p][p]to watch videos: https://www.ea.com/games/apex-legends/apex-legends/news/showdown-audio-update[/p][p]We’re balancing this tech to work in tandem with our other initiatives to combine for a smooth, clear mix that lets critical audio cues be heard when most needed without being distracting. We’ve started by isolating primary frequencies of enemy footsteps and using them to reduce sounds that typically overwhelm them (ex. explosions, ordnance, etc). This should help you hear your enemies more clearly before they sneak up on you and without needing to max out your volume.[/p][h2]ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIO PROCESSING[/h2][p]Environments should feel and sound believable and that includes each building and interior space. In Apex, we define the audio properties for these to tell the audio engine which reverb to use, amount of audio occlusion, ambient sounds, and more. Our current transition between different spaces is immediate: the moment you step through a doorway, all of these audio properties flip over the opposing environment. That’s not the most immersive experience, so we’ve developed some new tech to allow for a more gradual blend. As you approach openings and doorways, the sound environment will dynamically blend towards the exterior values.[/p][h2]OBSERVABILITY[/h2][p]We’ve put in a lot of effort towards monitoring the behavior of our audio systems using new tools and telemetry. Even though enemy footsteps are one of the most prioritized audio events in our game, there is still the odd situation where we may cull them for performance and/or audio clarity, for example when there are more audible footsteps triggered than can be effectively discerned. More recently, we’ve set up new telemetry to track each time the game adjusts an enemy footstep event to allow for additional monitoring across different maps and gamemodes. This will also give us a much broader understanding of how our audio engine behaves in a wide range of situations.[/p][p][/p][p]Back with the launch of Season 25, we added a feature that prompts you to submit audio logs from matches where an unusually high number of audio footstep cancellations were detected. Your submissions allow us to replay audio logs and debug a 1:1 recording of game related sounds that happened inside of our audio engine throughout the course of that match. Using this data, we’ve already made meaningful improvements such as rebalancing prioritization of less important events (ex. downed footsteps) and this is just the beginning. Please continue to send your logs when prompted to help us with data collection, fixes, and improve the auditory experience in the Outlands for all.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]SEE YOU ON THE DROPSHIP[/h2][p]Everything we’ve chatted about above will be live when season 27 drops on November 4, 2025. We’re excited for the continued evolution of Apex Legend’s audio and appreciate your continued feedback with each and every match. As a reminder, any match with significant audio drops will result in a report prompt once you’ve finished with that match. Please continue to send those through as each one has the potential to have an impact.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]To view videos, check out our blog: https://www.ea.com/games/apex-legends/apex-legends/news/showdown-audio-update[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Play Apex Legends™ for free* now on PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch™, and PC via the EA app, Epic, and Steam.[/p][p]Follow Apex Legends™ on X, Instagram, TikTok, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and check out our forums.[/p][p]Sign up for our newsletter today to receive the latest Apex Legends™ news, updates, behind-the-scenes content, exclusive offers, and more (including other EA news, products, events, and promotions) by email.[/p][p]This announcement may change as we listen to community feedback and continue developing and evolving our Live Service & Content. We will always strive to keep our community as informed as possible. For more information, please refer to EA’s Online Service Updates at [/p][p]https://www.ea.com/service-updates[/p][p].[/p][p]*Applicable platform account and platform subscription (sold separately) may be required. A persistent internet connection and EA account required. Age restrictions apply. Includes in-game purchases.[/p]

[p]We just pushed a fix for the Ranked connectivity issues.[/p][p]You should now be able to join matches as usual and lobbies will be more reliably full.[/p]

[p]Legends, a couple quick changes are now live![/p]

• [p]Alter's downed Nexus Teleport now works as intended.[/p]
• [p]Reduced Ash's Dash speed by ~30% (influenced by numerous factors: in air/on ground/momentum/direction - these conditions remain unchanged)[/p]
  • [p]Dev note: Ash has been dominant for much of the year, ever since we both added her new Dash passive and improved her abilities. We've been trying to bring her back down to earth through a series of balance changes over the last few months, but have been reluctant to touch the dash passive's speed or distance since so many players are having fun with it. This latest change is finally changing the speed of her dash, as we feel the data shows that reducing the power of the rest of her kit (even increasing the cooldown of her dash) wasn't enough to bring her back in line with the rest of the roster.[/p]

[p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p]View the full event blog here: https://www.ea.com/games/apex-legends/news/raise-hell-event[/p][p]
Death came to collect Mad Maggie’s soul, and she laughed in its face. Now the armies of the undead are battling in the Raise Hell Event: ice-cold Reapers and monstrous Demons fighting for the one soul that refuses to be harvested. Wildcard gets a full Halloween takeover: Rev Shell Grenades hunt enemies through the shadows, EVO orbs pulse with otherworldly energy, even your loot bins may hold some… unexpected surprises. Kick those supernatural assassins back to hell from October 14 to November 4, 2025.[/p][h2]WILDCARD: HALLOWEEN[/h2][p][/p][p]Pick a side in Wildcard’s supernatural showdown: choose Reaper or Demon themed Wild Cards to gain mastery of the dark arts. Take the Reaper Path for otherworldly precision: faster movement, reloads, and guaranteed critical hits. Pick the Demon Wild Cards for raw power: infinite ammo, explosive knocked enemies, and vampiric health recovery. [/p][p]Wildcard Trios Raise Hell (October 14 - November 4, 2025)[/p]

• [p]Kings Canyon Wildcard Night[/p]
  • [p]Nighttime lighting[/p]
  • [p]Nessie balloons with launchers[/p]
  • [p]Loot bin jump scares[/p]
  • [p]Launchers with spooky sounds[/p]
• [p]Replicator Wild Cards[/p]

[p][/p][p]The Rev Shell ordinance is making a triumphant return! As a quick refresher: Rev Shells are a target-seeking grenade that look almost as scary as the damage they do. Grab a shell, toss it into the air and it will seek out valid nearby targets, delivering substantial damage. Is there a Rev Shell hot on your heels? Take aim and shoot it down to cause an early detonation. Enjoy for a limited-time, while Raise Hell is active![/p][p][/p][h2]EVENT ITEMS[/h2][p]Earn Pumpkins throughout the event to get items from the Reward Shop. Get Legendary skins for Ash, Revenant, Fuse, Octane, Caustic, and Horizon as possible drops in Raise Hell Event Packs. Watch out for Mad Maggie's Prestige skin, crafted for the one Legend hell itself couldn't contain.[/p][p]All items will be available in exchange for Apex Coins or Crafting Metals and in Raise Hell Event Packs† for the entire duration of the event.[/p][p] Go for the full vibe when you equip Mad Maggie’s “Apex Warrior” Prestige skin with her matching finisher and “Chains of Command” Skydive Trail.[/p][p][/p][h2]REWARD SHOP[/h2][p]You can earn up to 2,050 points per day and challenges refresh daily. Each and every one of these challenges also stack with your Battle Pass, so you can make the most of your time in the Outlands.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]STORE TAB[/h2][p]Explore the limited-time Raise Hell Event Store and check out Legendary skins for Octane, Ash, Horizon, Fuse, Caustic and Revenant, available October 14th to November 4th. [/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]PATCH NOTES[/h2][h3]PREVIOUS UPDATES & FIXES[/h3][h3]GAME[/h3]

• [p]The Sentinel has been re-enabled[/p]
• [p]Auras now show the correct rank in lobby[/p]
• [p]Mirage now receives appropriate EVO XP Evo Points after teammate uses their Class Perk Ability[/p]
• [p]Reverted Trident boost and air brake input bindings to their pre-26.1 state[/p]

[h3]LEGENDS[/h3][p]Mad Maggie[/p]

• [p]Wrecking Ball no longer causes a crash when thrown near a door.[/p]

[hr][/hr][p]Play Apex Legends for free* now on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via the EA app, Epic, and Steam.[/p][p][/p][p]Follow Apex Legends™ on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and check out our forums.[/p][p]Sign up for our newsletter today to receive the latest Apex Legends news, updates, behind-the-scenes content, exclusive offers, and more (including other EA news, products, events, and promotions) by email.[/p][p]This announcement may change as we listen to community feedback and continue developing and evolving our Live Service & Content. We will always strive to keep our community as informed as possible. For more information, please refer to EA’s Online Service Updates at [/p][p]https://www.ea.com/service-updates[/p][p][/p][p]*Applicable platform account and platform subscription (sold separately) may be required. A persistent internet connection and EA account required. Age restrictions apply. Includes in-game purchases. [/p][p]†Not available in all territories. [/p]

[p]Hey legends, we just pushed some quick changes to the live game![/p]

• [p]Peacekeeper:[/p]
  • [p]Increased rechamber time between shots[/p]
  • [p]Magazine size reduced to 5 (was 6)[/p]
  • [p]Dev Note: The PK is out-performing our other shotguns and CQC weapons by a sizable amount. Ultimately we want to maintain its raw power in terms of damage and instead disrupt how quickly it can put that damage out.[/p]
• [p]Alter:[/p]
  • [p]Can no longer use Void Nexus while knocked (but you can still summon knocked teammates)[/p]
  • [p]Only 1 Void nexus Allowed in the world (was 2)[/p]
• [p]Seer:[/p]
  • [p]Exhibit no longer provides ADS hover[/p]
  • [p]Added a short full-body scan to Lasting Beats when an enemy leaves the ult area[/p]
• [p]The Sentinel is making its glorious return and now works as intended.[/p]
• [p]Made server performance improvements which should reduce frequency of slow motion (continuing work).[/p]
• [p]The Trident's brake input keybind has been reverted to its previous setting (visual UI indicator will persist; to be fixed in a future update).[/p]
• [p]Fixed a bug affecting player's POV when entering a Trident.[/p]
• [p]Mad Maggie now sprints at the intended speed while using shotguns.[/p]