Respawn Entertainment has quickly reversed a controversial tap strafing change in Apex Legends following intense community backlash. The original update, which added a "buffer" to the movement mechanic, was intended to combat automated movement techniques but was met with immediate criticism from professional players and streamers.

Tap strafing, originally a movement bug that evolved into a core gameplay mechanic, allows players to make sharp directional changes mid-air while maintaining momentum. Similar to how keyboard and mouse players can move while looting death boxes, it has become an essential skill for many players.

In their announcement, Respawn acknowledged the importance of movement mechanics to the community: "For movement aficionados, feedback and feel around movement systems are critical, and there's legitimate skill expression that we intend to preserve."

This reversal comes at a crucial time for Apex Legends, which has experienced declining player counts over the past eight months according to Steam Charts. The game's current season has seen lower-than-usual engagement, attributed to:

• Limited content updates
• Quick rotation of the new E-District map out of play
• Delayed ALGS Championship esports activities

The quick response to community feedback demonstrates Respawn's commitment to maintaining the game's signature movement mechanics while balancing competitive integrity. The developer still aims to address automated exploits and unhealthy movement tech, but will likely take a more measured approach in future updates.

[Images retained as per original article]

Related Articles

Previous Articles