Broken The Division of Roles(Wildcard・BR)
It is unfortunate that non-ranked Duos have been downsized, but I thought it was positive that Wildcard received high ratings and shared distinct roles with ranked BR .
However, the recent tilt toward "Skill Creep " and "exhilarating mobility skills" is now threatening that relationship. A certain level of understanding can be shown for the objective of maintaining business scale and the player base.
Yet, this overemphasis on "Skill Creep" and "exhilarating mobility skills" severely damages the "inherent dilemma and catharsis of BR"—the very core of "Ranked Match" where strict competitiveness must be guaranteed.
I believe that the "core" of Apex lies in its fast-paced character movement, PvP, and the battle royale format, rather than "skill creep" or "exhilarating mobility skills." It is a fundamental element common to all characters. A character's skills are only the "branches and leaves" intended to support and add color to that core—and only that. Skills should not be main in this game.
If this "Wildcard-ification of BR" driven by character power and gimmicks continues, the division of labor that once existed between "BR" and "Wildcard" will completely collapse. As a result, Ranked Match will lose its raison d'être, much like the currently downsized non-ranked Duo mode.
The business structure itself is highly rational: preventing client file size inflation while establishing "Wildcard" as an experimental ground to drive monetization and transition into new elements.
However, the core essence of Wildcard and BR is fundamentally different. High ratings in Wildcard are merely "locally optimal solutions" that function strictly within those limited rules. Blindly sliding those elements into ranked BR, where positional maneuvering and the weight of placement points actually function, makes system failure inevitable.
Consequently, Wildcard-like elements will encroach upon BR, causing the clear boundaries (the division of roles) between modes to collapse. This restricts player options, ultimately narrowing the market for Apex itself—a fatal issue.
Wildcard’s high ratings are great, but it’s just like a store's seasonal menu. No matter how well a limited item sells, you don't kill off the classic staples for it. Customers get bored of gimmicks eventually, and if you take away the basics they rely on, you will only be left with customers who prefer the limited items.
Do not lose sight of the essence (the objective) by becoming trapped by the means.
Why was it that the "new character Seer" and the "immediately-reworked Ash" were heavily criticized despite maintaining high pick rates and win rates?
Why did the "Arenas Ranked Mode" fail? Why was the "non-ranked Duo mode" downsized?
None of your efforts are ever in vain. I want you to not waste past failures, but to utilize them for the present and the future. Could you be on the verge of repeating the same mistakes? I hope you will take a moment to pause and exchange opinions among the development staff anew.
I say again that I thought it was positive that Wildcard received high ratings and shared distinct roles with ranked BR.
Save player choice. Don't restrict how we play.
Note: English is not my primary language, and this text was translated with the assistance of Gemini.
