Gaming
Apex Legends Mobile: EA announces discontinuation of game
Apex Legends Mobile is officially going to be shut down for good, according to the game’s publisher, Electronic Arts (EA), and developer, Respawn Entertainment. The studio revealed that players will be able to enjoy the game until 5:30 pm Indian Standard Time (IST) on May 1, 2023, after which it will no longer be available for play.
Apex Legends developer, Respawn entertainment, on Wednesday took to Twitter to announce the news.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the discontinuation of Apex Legends Mobile. Due to factors beyond our control, we have been unable to provide the high-quality experience and content that our players deserve. The game will sunset on May 1, 2023, at 4:00 PM PDT, after which it will no longer be playable. We are deeply grateful to all players and teams who have joined us on this journey and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” read the Twitter post.
We have made the decision to sunset Apex Legends Mobile.
— Respawn (@Respawn) January 31, 2023
We’re sure you have a lot of questions. For more information on where things are at currently, including an FAQ, please read the blog below.https://t.co/Yjr4EOJnTq pic.twitter.com/4k3dGzOL12
According to EA, in-game purchases for Apex Legends Mobile users would be discontinued starting February 1, 2023, at 2:30 am IST in all regions. As per the terms of the EA User Agreement, no refunds will be offered for in-game purchases. However, players will be able to spend their existing virtual currency balance (Syndicate Gold) until the game’s sunset on May 1, 2023.
In its blog post, EA wrote, “In terms of what players can expect from here, today marks the beginning of a ninety (90) day window before we sunset the game. As of 1 PM PST today, January 31st, we will be disabling all real money in-app purchases in the game as well as removing the game from webstores. During this period, players can spend their existing Syndicate Gold and continue playing the full game. At 4 PM PDT on May 1st, 2023, we will cease operations in all regions, and the game will no longer be playable.”
Apex Legends Mobile was first launched on May 17, 2022, amid huge fanfare. During the eight months since its debut, the studio continued to update the game with new content including mobile-exclusive characters, modes, weapons and maps. However, the mobile variant of Apex Legends did not perform as well as the studio anticipated.
Although the game garnered more than 10 million downloads on Google Play Store alone, heavy competition from titles like PUBG Mobile, Free Fire and Call of Duty Mobile has more or less dented hopes of the game ever achieving the level of success that its PC version enjoyed. Hence, EA decided to axe the game from its roster of active games completely.
Happy to confirm that our latest Alpha test of #BattlefieldMobile is live in Mexico, Colombia, Egypt and Iraq.
— Industrial Toys (@IndustrialToys) May 31, 2022
What’s new?
✅Two maps new to Battlefield
✅Daily assignments & in-game coin to spend
✅Game mode: Rush
Available regionally @GooglePlay store. pic.twitter.com/Lr4n6y44jQ
Additionally, the development of Battlefield Mobile, a mobile version of EA’s Battlefield franchise, has also been cancelled and its developer, Industrial Toys, will be shutting down. The Open Beta Test of the battle royale mobile game was launched in some Southeast Asian countries in November 2022, but its development was cancelled on January 31, 2023.
Despite its decision to discontinue a big title such as Apex Legends Mobile from all platforms, the company assured concerned fans that it is looking forward to further exploring the Apex Legends universe and as such the PC version would continue to be supported as usual.
“Our love for the Apex universe and our players remains unchanged. We look forward to exploring this universe, its characters, and its stories along with you. In the meantime, we appreciate your continued support and patience as we navigate these next steps,” the company stated in its blog post.