Following the reveal of its long-awaited crossover event, Apex Legends has sparked fan outrage with "aggressive monetisation" and eye-watering prices attached to Final Fantasy-themed items and skins.
Details of the month-long crossover event with Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth were shared on the official Apex Legends website, with fans intrigued by the promise of a unique 'death box'. Death boxes hold the loot of players that are killed, but to unlock this one, the website prompts players to complete their “Apex Legends & FINAL FANTASY™ VII REBIRTH collection before the event ends".
The outrage comes from the total cost of completing the collection, which is made up of 36 Final Fantasy-themed items. Shared by Eurogamer's Ed Nightingale, the Apex Legends Instagram page reveals that items are distributed through a 'pack' system. Each pack is shown to contain only one event item alongside two standard items, implying that 36 packs must be opened for a full collection.
Despite EA's promises that these packs won't contain duplicates or gameplay advantages, it would still cost £323.64 to purchase the packs at their standard 1000-coin price. The Instagram post seems to imply a 90% sale will be held, but it's not currently known how long it will last.
Players have also expressed frustration with the price of the event's skins. Each one of the six skins costs 2150 coins, and with packs of 2150 available for purchase at £17.99, it would cost at least £107.94 to purchase all six skins.
If that wasn't enough, FOMO tactics are applied with the website promising that the iconic Buster Sword "will not be coming to the Mythic Shop after the event ends, so unlock it while you can!"
There is a promise of a reward shop allowing players to purchase the items using a currency unique to the event, but it remains to be seen how freely it is given. All in all, it's not the first time EA has been in hot water with its players, so we'll have to wait and see how they respond - if at all.