Apex Legends launched in 2019 with a dozen playable characters, and with the several more it’s added in the time since then, that number currently stands at 20. Soon, that roster will see another addition when a new Legend arrives in the form of Newcastle with the upcoming Season 13: Saviors. But there might come a time when developer Respawn Entertainment decides to slow the pace at which that roster grows.
Speaking recently with Dextero, senior character designer Devan McGuire said that as time goes on and the developer continues to expand Apex Legends’ roster, it gets harder and harder to come up Legends that are “unique, without being overpowered, or too niche.” According to McGuire, the game might eventually reach a “breaking point” where adding a new character with every new season will simply no longer be feasible, especially with the game’s balance and the quality of new additions kept in mind.
“Whether or not that pattern continues is an ongoing discussion, and it might not be changed, but we don’t want to saturate the pool,” he said.
For now, it doesn’t look like we’re quite at that point yet. The 21st Legend, Newcastle, will be added to the game when Season 13: Saviors goes live on May 10.
Apex Legends is available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.