Apex Legends Reaches Lowest Player Count Since Release as Players Request New Content

As the Apex Legends community expresses dissatisfaction over the current lack of innovative content, the holiday season has seen the same limited-time mode making a return for the fifth consecutive year. In a bid to attract players, Apex Legends has also introduced discounted skins for sale. However, many players wonder about the decision to skip the popular Winter Express event in 2023 in favor of the underwhelming Revenant Uprising, which failed to generate festive excitement.

The discontent among both professional and casual Apex players reflects a broader frustration with the game’s present state. There is a growing demand for substantive changes, as opposed to more events centered around purchasable cosmetics.

Disappointment Reigns Among Apex Legends Players

The recurring limited-time mode for the holiday season has sparked displeasure within the player base, particularly among high-ranking competitors advocating for essential matchmaking improvements. A recent trailer promoting the End of Year skin sale has further fueled speculation regarding Respawn Entertainment’s priorities.

Oh thank god! I told my girlfriend I wanted her to gift me a vantage skin! I can use it to kill the gold level father in my pred lobby who just got home from his 9-5!

— RamBeau (@RamBeauski) December 25, 2024

This trailer featured Vantage and Valkyrie remaining largely motionless while their voice lines played in the background, leading to a wave of critique from the community. As one player noted, “Usually I get to think of something funny to dunk on the devs with, but this post is actually so lazy that it doesn’t even warrant me making fun of them.”

Another player articulated the overarching sentiment: “Apex Legends, while fundamentally a good game, has experienced the worst fate for a live service title: it has simply become uninteresting.” Many players share this perspective, feeling that persistent matchmaking problems and a dearth of fresh content—beyond mere cosmetic items—have diminished their enthusiasm. Observers express sympathy for social media managers who are met with a torrent of frustrated comments in response to promotional posts.

Pro player ImMadness has remarked that Apex is currently facing its lowest player count ever, a statement that, while not entirely precise, underscores a worrying trend.

A historical analysis of player counts via SteamDB shows that the peak player numbers have not been this low since the initial weeks post-launch. Although the game retains active engagement during peak hours among its core user base, the player count has occasionally dipped below 40,000, which is concerning.

When Apex Legends made its transition to Steam, many players shifted from launching the game via Origin, resulting in an initial period of slower engagement. However, as we analyze gameplay trends a month or two beyond that transition, it’s clear that the current player count marks the lowest moment since the game’s introduction.

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