Apex Legends has been out for more than five years, and it has evolved significantly since its release back in 2019. The game has added several likable features like EVO Shields, an impressive perks system, a variety of cool weapons, new maps, and characters, and new game modes, among other things. However, one of the long-standing community requests has remained unanswered to this date; it is an in-game leaderboard for ranked mode.
Well, on April 23rd, with the release of the ‘Urban Assault Collection’ event, Respawn has finally added a leaderboard in-game to Apex Legends. Yes, you heard it right. We have an in-game leaderboard in Apex Legends now, but unfortunately, it’s not for ranked. So, let’s discuss how it works and why it hasn’t been implemented in ranked mode yet.
Apex Rumble brings an in-game leaderboard, at last
beta test for a future update?
The Urban Assault Collection event adds the new Octane Mythic skin and sees the return of the Three Strikes LTM, which has quickly become a fan-favorite. However, possibly the most crucial announcement in the blog post has to be the introduction of the new “Apex Rumble” feature.
What is Apex Rumble? After five years, Respawn Entertainment has finally decided to test out an all-new asynchronous tournament system baked right into the game. It’s currently in beta and allows casual players like you and me (of course, pro players too) to compete against other players to test their skill, prove their mettle, and get rewards.
The highlight of the Rumble experience, however, is the addition of a leaderboard in the game. The Apex Rumble section in Apex Legends has a dedicated ‘Leaderboard’ tab that shows your standing compared to other challengers in this new tournament mode.
I played a couple of Apex Rumble matches before drafting this story, and it is impressive how well-implemented this feature is. You can earn points for kills, assists, damage, and your placement in matches, which then contribute to your rank on the leaderboard. Apex Rumble’s leaderboard shows the top 10 players with the most points.
If you want to test your skills against other casual yet competitive players, load into Apex Rumble today. That said, I am unsure why Respawn is trying it out with Three Strikes and not the standard BR mode. Maybe to collect more player data?
Apex Legends hasn’t added a ranked leaderboard in 20 Seasons
why is Respawn reluctant to bring this feature?
Now Apex Rumble is a great idea, giving players a chance to compete with similarly skilled players outside of the public and rank lobbies while earning a spot on the leaderboard and a slew of rewards. Does the premise sound familiar, though?
Isn’t the ranked mode also designed to match you with players of similar rank and see you climb the ladder (albeit an invisible one) for the chance to be an Apex Predator, one of the top 750 Apex Legends players in the world? Then, why does the tournament mode come with an in-game leaderboard while the ranked mode is left on its knees begging?
We don’t have a definitive answer to this, to be honest. Respawn previously hinted at the idea of a ranked leaderboard but it never came to fruition. Pro players, as well as casuals, have been relying on third-party online leaderboards, such as Apex Legends Status and Apex Tracker, among others. But how long does one need to rely on third-party tools?
Furthermore, the demand for an in-game leaderboard echoed louder than ever with the release of The Finals last year. This FPS game not only included a leaderboard but also celebrated the Top 10 players of each season with a trophy in the practice range.
Now, I’m not saying Respawn should do exactly the same. But with 20 seasons under its belt, the developers should think about making the ranked mode grind more meaningful for its players. Why should someone grind to be a #1 rank player when it’s so difficult for people to discover them? A badge or a banner frame is not enough incentive. And that’s why we need a leaderboard for ranked mode in the game.
As to why Respawn Entertainment is reluctant to add one, I have no idea. But if I were to speculate, it could be because of various reasons. The first one that comes to mind is, of course, the boosters and cheaters that find their way into the top tier of the leaderboard; mudding the Apex Predator ranks. Maybe Respawn does not want to put that on display for all its players.
The other reason could be the ever-evolving nature of ranked mode. That could make it difficult for the devs to settle on the direction they wish to take with the leaderboard. It could be anything, but all I want from Apex Legends is an in-game ranked leaderboard. I wish to show off to my buddies that I’m in the top 10% or 20% like I can in Apex Rumble. So, Respawn, please make it happen!
