Improve the new POI Drop System in Ranked through Rewards, not Restrictions

I understand what Respawn is trying to achieve with the new POI-focused drop system in Ranked. The goal of reducing early-game chaos and bringing more structure to matches makes sense on paper.

However, in practice, the system feels half-baked. Players can still drop wherever they want — and most simply ignore the suggested POIs. There’s no penalty for disregarding the assigned drop, but also no incentive to follow it. As a result, the mechanic is mostly being bypassed, which causes confusion and frustration.

My suggestion: Instead of trying to control player behavior with vague guidelines, implement positive reinforcement. Players who follow their assigned POI could receive small in-game benefits like:

– Bonus Ranked Points (e.g. +5%)

– Better or faster crafting options

– Early zone intel

– Temporary loot buffs

– Accolades tied to disciplined play

Rewarding smart and cooperative play works much better than punishing freedom. It encourages players to engage with the system voluntarily, rather than feeling forced.

Apex Ranked could then be both structured and strategic – without removing the core sense of player agency.