QOL Improvements

"I think Ranked needs to be more competitive and push non-competitive players to public matches."

I think it's completely reasonable for a player to be "competitive" but still not be very good at the game. Is this not what rookie and bronze and silver lobbies are for? How is pushing these players into pubs going to improve the experience of diamond, master, and predator players? I also think it's completely reasonable for ANY player to go into ranked matches for any reason, whether they identify as competitive or not. For example, I often end up in ranked matches because of takeovers that I hate. I understand the principle behind wanting ranked to be competitive, but what it REALLY is if we're honest is a tool built by the developer to drive engagement and increase time in the game. And if it has that effect then I'm pretty sure they don't care if you or I go there with a serious intention to win or a serious intention to nap. They don't care. Still unclear as to why you do.

And do those high tier players REALLY need special cosmetics? Since when is the actual earned rank not the point of ranked? I don't understand how being incredibly good at something isn't its own reward, especially when it's called out publicly. Now they need a cookie too? To motivate them? If they need motivation then they should become professionals and get paid actual money to play.

Solo queueing should not be allowed in ranked? ??? ???????? Not sure if you're coming at this from the point of view of a solo queue player who's tired of bad or "unserious" teammates, but that's the way I read it. If so then your own desire for a "stacks only" mode would kick you out. If you DO stack then why do you care if anyone else does or not?

The only thing I'm taking out of this is that what you really believe is that no one should be allowed in ranked until they've watched thousands of hours of professional streaming and studied every ALGS winning squad until they've memorized every second of gameplay because you, as a solo queue player, are tired of randoms who don't share YOUR play style, or execute THE meta of the moment, or communicate "properly," or are willing to sacrifice fun for grind. Or something else I haven't even thought of. And to be honest, I almost get where you're coming from. But the answer isn't to bar solo players from ranked. It's to let people play the game however they see fit, take it as seriously or not as they see fit, and to learn the hard way about the pitfalls of solo queuing. If they can't or won't stack then that's on them. I just can't see why you'd care one way or the other about what solos do unless you are one. In which case you're flying perilously close to hypocrisy.

More suggestions regarding QOL improvements. 

POI Draft

If Ranked is ever made more competitive by pushing stacked teams into queues a POI draft can be added to Ranked matches. Before each match teams will choose a POI in order similar to the ALGS. This means that teams will be dispersed evenly across the map. Then let the games begin. That’s how Ranked should be. It’s already working in the ALGS. During the POI draft teams would have 5 seconds to choose before a random POI is chosen for them. Ranked needs to be more organized and eventful. Period!!!

There must be a difference between competitive and noncompetitive game modes. If Ranked and Pubs should be the same, then just get rid of Ranked.

Arena Improvements

Apex Arenas need to be 4v4 to compete with other arena shooters in the market. Arenas need slightly bigger maps without "king of the hill" areas and maybe some looting elements. Arenas has a lot of potential because of the character lineup and movement. The mode needs better direction. If I’m a dev I’m dissecting every arena shooter in the market and take what works best.

Clubs

I’m assuming that removing Clubs was for a good reason, I hope. Because it could’ve been utilized better. I have a post from 3 years ago with suggestions. Most games in the market have some sort of club elements in their game. I think that’s a big loss regarding player engagement. If Clubs were to come back a “club leader board point system” would work well in Apex. I noticed this type of system in a F2P game called 3on3 Basketball years ago. The last clubs effort could’ve been more user-friendly.

Social Hub

A social hub practice range with up to 30 players would be a great player engagement tool. The more players who are staying in Apex the better, for whatever reason. There could be a dedicated ALGS area where ALGS replays are being shown. Players could meet, chat, and talk to play matches together.

One thing I'm so tired of hearing people say is that solo queue players are choosing not to stack. Currently, how are we to find players "in-game" to stack with? Answer that question. The answer can't be to use a third-party service. I don't want to. I want to meet players where they're at.... In the game "before" I start a match. Or be able to easily link up "after" a match. Similar to most multiplayer games in the industry. 

Match Replay and Kill Cams

Most games have these features. If they can do it why can’t Apex do it. Maybe these features have a chance to catch cheaters as well.

FYI – I have history with helping devs improve QOL with my forum participation. One example is a game called Prominence Poker. I helped the devs put together a better ranked system back in 2017 that is still being used to this day. Go check it out if you want. Good player feedback results in a better game. I’m not always right and will never be, but I know what I’m talking about. Anything I mention in my post is already being done in other games.

POI draft: If there wasn't already so much to stop me from playing ranked modes then this would definitely do it. What's next? The dev choses your weapons for you? I know it's frustrating when teammates make bad choices, but the point isn't whether they make good or bad choices. The point is that the game gives each of us the opportunity to choose for ourselves. And just because a teammate (or two) makes a bad decision does not mean you have to go along with it. Even in ranked.

"There must be a difference between competitive and noncompetitive game modes. If Ranked and Pubs should be the same, then just get rid of Ranked."

That statement made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. And I completely... you guessed it! ...disagree. Actually if it was up to me there wouldn't be a ranked mode. But children will endlessly want to whip it out and see who has the bigger gun. So be it.

For me, ranked and pubs should be absolutely identical, if only because of the prevailing thought (which I disagree with) that pubs is just practice for ranked. How are you supposed to practice football on a postage stamp-sized lot instead of a regulation-sized field? Or with a softball instead of a football? Or with one teammate instead of a full squad? Or, to bring it all back to the POI draft, how am I supposed to practice the game when I don't have full run of the field? I played straight shot or whichever LTM it was where they forced you to drop where they wanted you to drop. I hated it. One match was all it got. Never again.

There's a tremendous amount to be said on the subject of ranks, their value, their misapprehensions about players, players misapprehensions about what ranks actually are, what they mean, and whether or not they tell you much of value. I could go on all night, but this is not the time or place.

I completely agree with you about clubs and also about a social hub. Both good ideas that the game needs.

On the subject of killcams, I've played games that had them and they really don't ever seem to do what it is they're intended to do. They never show you what happened. They show you a rough approximation of what happened, with just enough inaccuracy to fuel the constant and relentless cheating call outs. When something that's created to alleviate confusion ends up making things more confusing... that's not good. Now if somebody could build one that actually worked, that would be great. Somehow I'm not seeing Respawn as the company to crack that code. And even if they could, EA wouldn't fund it. Cheap **bleep**. Can I say "**bleep**" on the forums?

At any rate, more good effort. Keep it up.

I don't want to debate. I'm just sharing what I think can help Apex not lose 40% revenue this year and a declining player base. I'm a TF2 OG, whose still waiting for TF3. Titanfall was Respawn's COD, except Activision hasn't given up on its "pride and joy". Apex will be the next TF2 if the devs continue to listen to people like you and all the stupid posts about nothing then the ship will sink, once again. 

Why defend a game so much that chooses to create universal heirlooms over finishing the heirlooms and prestige skins for ALL Legends? EA is already hinting at Apex Legends 2 and they haven't finished creating cosmetics for OG Legends, like Wattson. Mirage finally got some attention with his prestige skin and he's been in the game since the beginning. It shouldn't take over 6 years to make cosmetics for OG Legends. Players probably have died, literally, and never got the most out of the game they loved while watching Fortnite go all out for its community.

This company and developer is shortcutting us. For what? Star Wars games that get played for a short period. Now Star Wars is partnering with Fortnite for their current season. Apex released a failed mobile app that had better development at the time. All they had to do with the mobile app is start with the base version of the game and build it up over time eventually catching up to the PC/Console version. Instead, they released new Legends and a perk system for the app, etc. COD and Fortnite are still in the mobile space. Why is Apex having such a hard time with reality? Probably because they keep listening to people like everyone on this forum and Reddit.

What's sad is once they add my suggestions players are going to love it. You guys just don't know enough about how video games should operate. I had the same problem on Prominence Poker's forum, but once changes were made players were happy. 

Apex vs Fortnite

UI:

https://youtu.be/eo7X-xy3YW8?si=S1EXQSRuF1FPSQZO

"Stay With Team" option has been in their game for 3 years:

https://youtu.be/omOZyolJysc?si=IEavldewkcwpDkq7

Per the videos, why can't we have the same features in Apex that are in Fortnite? 

Apex is a way better game than Fortnite all around, especially regarding Ranked. Fortnite’s ranked modes are too saturated, lack players, and have no clear direction. If Apex had the same backbone as Fortnite, especially as a better game, the “mass” appeal would be stronger. Currently, Fortnite's most popular game mode is "Zero Build", that's where some of your players (money) are at. Additionally, Fortnite must depend on the 3rd party content for their game, while Apex is built from the ground up with the best lineup of characters the media industry has ever witnessed. I’m an 80s baby and we grew up running to the TV to watch X-Men every Saturday morning. Apex can have that same appeal, as with Marvel (Rivals), with a better vision for the game itself, and beyond, in these times. Pitch that to your investors who don't play or care about video games. Apex needs to evolve into a genuine media entertainment franchise, surpassing just video games. Fortnite will never be able to evolve past video games since they need the 3rd party content to survive. Like I tell my Apex teammates, if we play the game "the right way" we'll get the best results. The goal isn't about how many kills you can get; it's about how many wins you can get in a row. The most wins I've gotten in a row with a good team in Platinum Ranked is around 5. I wish I could link up with that team again, but it's been years, and the gamer dads have moved on. You all should try to bring them back instead of catering to the "super casual players" who are ruining the game for all. Most of us gamer dads want to hop on to get some dubs and get back to the fam. It's that simple. 

If EA continues to try to milk what's left of the player base (the cow) this game isn't going to make it much further, no matter how good the gameplay itself is. I bought all the battlepass content from Season 1 until you split the battlepass up. Foul on the play!!! That was it for me. If you want more money from "ME" then the whole gaming experience better be just as good as your "competitors". Then you all have the audacity to ban me for typing "Y'all play like monkeys" to my horrible narcissistic teammates. Instead of banning us, when we're not being explicit, give the players who want to stack an "opportunity" to do so in your game. Why wouldn't you want that? LOL. SMH. :-(

Whatever Epic is doing than you need to be doing it as well. What's the problem? Fortnite and COD has stolen so many ideals from Apex. From respawn beacons, movement mechanics, match point system for tournaments, etc. Apex isn't taking nothing from them. The devs are being stomped on like a team of randoms who think it's ok "not to play together". But let's ready up another match and do it again like bots.

Go ask Hal, HisWattson, Rogue, LuLu, itzTimmy, ShivFPS, Snip3down, WeThePeople, NiceWigg, etc., about my ideals. Some of my suggestions came from all these influencers and more. These are some of the influencers who make a living off of your game and have followers. Nickmercs mentioned having an Apex Predator tournament after the season years ago, that ideal came from him. My post isn't up for debate. Facts can't be debated. Remember, nothing I'm posting comes from me only, I'm not a narcissist. These QOL improvement "suggestions" are not about me or you... It's about the betterment of the franchise, and it starts with improving the game itself. Like I tell my randoms before each match, GLHF!

Follow the KISS rule and The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Google it. 

"if the devs continue to listen to people like you and all the stupid post about nothing then the ship will sink"

"You guys just don't know enough about how video games should operate."

"I don't want to debate."

The first two quotes I'm just putting up there to remind you of what you said. The last one I'm putting up there as a preamble to me asking you, just what is it you see as the purpose of these forums if it isn't to float ideas and invite commentary???

Apex vs Rocket League

UI:

https://youtu.be/xdJWFIcakj8?si=XEF4oxvujoO0koyB

Party up Option:

https://youtu.be/qSidIw_pMEc?si=AulWfouYWD8rfyPG

I'm almost done here. The community has mentioned adding a Solo Queue Ranked to Apex. I would most definitely try that out. Overall, I don't know how successful that type of game mode would be. Maybe it works. I think players will complain about teammates who don't mic up a lot more. In this type of game mode, I think the teams who are communicating will stomp on the teams that aren't. That's why I think the current Ranked system should continue to "evolve". 

FYI - My post is meant for the community manager to forward to your development team, somehow or someway. I'll check back in the future to see what changes were made. Thanks! 

Addition - My wife and I reviewed my posts and talked about the game and franchise. She knows how much I've admired Respawn over the last decade. She's not a gamer, but she understands my concerns about the state of the game. She loved the lore and all the older trailers. We were amazed!!! I used to get her before watching every Story of the Outlands. We Love Wattson!!! She told me "I thought we were going to have a TV show by now", because that's how much people love your franchise. I hope I have a reason to comeback to Apex in the future. Last thing, tears :-(, if a movie about Wraith is ever created the woman who plays "Octavia" in "The 100" would be a perfect fit. I'm just saying. Money!!!!! 

Watching Pro League.... Perfect!!! You give us "competitive players" a casual-competitive version of that and I'll start back spending money with yall. 

I finally got around to reading your posts. I'm glad I lost my original reply to your first post because I was snapping a little because I feel like you're snapping at me. You're very bullish for some reason, but I like it. MUAH!!! You're cute. 

I'm on a mission, right or wrong, to let it be known that I think the game sucks!!! The way that it is. That's my opinion. I'm not here to complain about servers. First question is "Are you playing on Wi-fi?", because that could be a problem. I personally use direct hard wire when gaming, it's better that way. I haven't experienced to many issues personally. I also don't think most players understand how servers operate, because I have no clue overall. I'm not here to complain about character or gun buffs and nerfs. I think Respawn does a great job balancing the characters and game play. Perfect! I'm definitely not here to criticize matchmaking, except for the lack of "player engagement tools". Players keep complaining to the devs about a non issue. If anybody thinks they're going to play a PvP pubs match and your opponents don't search you out and eliminate you is crazy, no matter your opponents Rank. If a team is playing Recon you're toast. I think non competitive players should go play Super Mario or a PvE game. Y'all can have Pubs though, just stay away from Ranked. 

I hope the devs review this debate, probably not lol. I disagree with every position you've made, 1000%. We're on two different sides of the spectrum and that's okay. There's casual, casual-competitive, and competitive. Your stance seems to be "super casual". Your stance isn't even on the chart lol. So there's no need to debate further and I appreciate your replies. 

I'm curious to know your stats in the game. I'll post a link to my stats, I'm not that good. I just like to play. My Wattson stats are primarily in Ranked. What's your gamer tag?

BlessTheEarth Stats

Let's jam out too!!!

Big Things Poppin'

Big things poppin' and little things stoppin'. I come from a different era, mane!

Oddly enough, we don't disagree on everything. But yes, on a lot. For example: "Respawn does a great job balancing the characters and game play." I would have agreed back in, say, season seven. Or ten. Or even Fourteen. Right now? It's bad. Just bad. And for no other reason than novelty, as if that's the thing that will keep a day one veteran playing the game. Ironically it's coming perilously close to being the thing that drives me out of the game.

I'm extremely confused about how you define the casual/competitive spectrum. I despise and avoid rank ladders, but I play every match to win with what I think of as a minimum of screwing around. I guess I can see how that would not fit easily into a pigeon hole.

"I think non competitive players should go play Super Mario or a PvE game." In a perfect world we could have one game that does it all: good, solid competitive PvP AND a fun PvE mode. Apex could be that game if the devs just keep working on bot royale. It's funny though: every time someone comes on this forum to complain about the matchmaking, saying they're tired of the sweat 24/7 and sometimes they just want to relax and have fun... I'm the first guy to reply to them that competitive multiplayer shooters are NOT for relaxation. You want to relax, go play Candy Crush. So we're certainly on the same page there.

I appreciate the link to your stats, which I did not read, in same spirit that I appreciate it when people are interested in rank ladders even though I'm not. My stats definitely tell a story, but, as a very wise man once said, "Not everything that matters can be measured, and not everything that's measurable matters." He was right. I've had far too many diamond tier teammates choose a hot drop and die instantly, and also quite a few newbies who played it cool and got a lot further than they had any right to. Stats without context can't tell me what I need to know about a player. I see guys every day with "145,000 kills" on a single legend. Where's the stat that says how many times they had to die to get those kills??? Strategically left out, of course, making the number of kills worthless, except maybe as a scare tactic. And anyway, the fundamental truth of it is that no matter how good someone's stats may be, there's someone whose stats are better. So not really sure what the point of all that teeth gnashing is. Unless you're the guy who believes that a person's opinions about the game are only valuable or valid in direct proportion to their abilities. Sorry, but I've heard enough idiocy out of the mouths of this games very best players to know that skill doesn't make you right. Being right makes you right.

Nevertheless, I like everything you had to say about engagement. I hope somebody somewhere is reading these posts of yours and passing on your ideas to the team. Keep up the good work. Even if people like me are free with their contradictory opinions!