[Interview] "Apex Legends" New Season "Amped" Focuses on Speed—Experience It on the Rebuilt Olympus
Note: the original Japanese article can be found at:
https://www.4gamer.net/games/449/G044914/20251030067/
Writer: Natsukami Shiki | 2025/10/30 15:00 (UTC)
Respawn Entertainment developed and Electronic Arts is operating the battle royale FPS “Apex Legends” (PC / PS5 / Xbox Series X|S / Nintendo Switch 2 / PS4 / Xbox One / Nintendo Switch). Information for Season 27 “Amped” has now been released.
Scheduled to launch on November 5, 2025 at 2:00 a.m. (JST), the new season will feature major revisions to the map “Olympus” aimed at enhancing competitiveness, along with buffs for legends “Valkyrie,” “Rampart,” and “Horizon,” as well as the introduction of a brand-new character control system.
Ahead of this seasonal launch, a joint online interview was held with the game’s development team. 4Gamer participated in this event, so we’ll present both an overview of the season and insights gathered during the session.
The following five members responded to our questions:
Evan Nikolich: Apex Legends Design Director
Ian Holstead: Legend Designer
Josh Mohan: Lead Legend Designer
Casey O’Brien: Weapons Designer
Clement Bachellerie: Lead Ranked Designer
In this article, where a Japanese translation was provided for media purposes, we’ve used that version. For any unclear or unconfirmed terms, the original English or placeholder names are used.
Major Overhaul of Olympus to Boost Competitiveness
The map “Olympus,” introduced in Season 7, is receiving significant revisions. The primary goal of this overhaul is to improve the map’s competitive nature by enabling smoother gameplay through enhanced safe rotations, countermeasures against overly powerful positions, changes to POIs (points of interest), and additional modifications.
For more details on the changes to Olympus, we’ve published a separate article featuring insights from team members involved in the new map design. Beyond structural updates, this update also touches upon story elements tied primarily to Horizon—please check it out as well.
——We see that this update is aimed at improving competitiveness. What kind of gameplay shifts do you anticipate?
Nikolich:
Previously, Olympus had many open areas with few obstacles for cover. With this overhaul, we’ve reduced those spaces while introducing new POIs. Considering competitive scenes such as ALGS (Apex Legends Global Series), we needed to place over 20 appropriate POIs.
As mentioned, the design changes are primarily focused on boosting competitiveness. However, we also believe this update will allow a wider range of players to experience fairer gameplay.
Updates for Legends
This season brings buffs to legends “Valkyrie,” “Rampart,” and “Horizon.” Here’s how each is being updated:
First up is Valkyrie—once revolutionary when she debuted, leaving a strong impression on players. However, as the game evolved, her abilities began competing with others like the EVAC tower, causing her to lose presence. Now, we’re restoring her dominance in the air through this update.
Key changes include improved responsiveness and increased movement speed for her passive ability “VTOL Jet,” significantly faster recharge times, and enhanced launch speed for her ultimate “Skydive.” Her tactical ability “Missile Swarm” now features no self-damage, removes height restrictions, adds enemy scanning upon hit, and affects enemies’ passive mobility.
Next, Rampart—designed as a defensive specialist—has struggled to make an impact in certain situations. To address this, we’ve redesigned her so she can be more impactful throughout fights, especially toward the endgame. She’ll transition from being purely reactive to becoming a launching pad for team advancement.
Specifically, her tactical ability “Amplified Barricade” is changing: walls now gain durability based on upgrade level and provide movement speed bonuses while transforming into roofed structures. With legend upgrades, shooting through these amplified barriers will grant infinite ammo, reduce reload time, and enable automatic wall regeneration (regen) during non-combat periods.
Finally, Horizon—still powerful in skilled hands but having lost some of its thrilling feel due to recent nerfs—is getting a rework. This update aims to restore her status as a vertical mobility master while balancing superiority in aerial combat and the ability to re-engage quickly. However, this isn’t just about making her stronger again—it’s about ensuring players actually enjoy playing her.
Changes include reduced cooldown for tactical ability “Gravity Lift,” increased ascent speed, enhanced durability for ultimate “Black Hole,” and new legend upgrades that improve glide after lift, enable rapid high-speed descents from the air, and charge tactical abilities when knocking down enemies.
——In Season 26’s midpatch, the buff to legend “Cipher” became a major topic. What was your intention behind that change?
Mohan:
We noticed Cipher had become less impactful compared to other Recon-class legends in current gameplay. Especially with this year’s release of “Sparrow,” Cipher’s unique traits and personality were being overshadowed. We felt it necessary to give players a clear reason to pick her.
We recognized that after using his tactical ability, immediately transitioning into attack was difficult—a known issue. To fix this, we added increased movement speed on tactical hit for quicker attacks while also enhancing his ultimate, restoring Cipher’s presence in gameplay.
——Octane is still popular, but it feels like his pick rate has dipped slightly. How do you currently view him?
Mohan:
When deciding which legends to buff, we focus on three aspects: pick rate, how present they are during combat, and how players perceive them. Octane was long considered balanced, but recently his pick rate has dropped, and the abilities we expect from him aren’t being fully realized.
We’re currently exploring potential changes. That said, this isn’t a confirmed update—just one under consideration.
——What kind of meta shifts do you expect from this season’s updates?
Holstead:
In “Amped,” we focused our update efforts on legends that have lost presence over time. Legends who were once powerful upon release but now lack strength—please understand it in that context.
The theme and direction of this season is speed. While we can’t predict the exact meta, we’ve made broad improvements to close-quarters combat, ensuring players will experience fast-paced, dynamic gameplay.
The “Alternator” SMG Gets a Dangerous Double-Tap Hop-Up
Following major changes in Season 26, weapons received various hop-up updates. This season introduces a new “Double Tap” hop-up for the SMG “Alternator.” While a similar name appeared before, this version has different effects.
The effect is based on the weapon’s distinctive parallel barrel visual design, enabling it to fire two rounds simultaneously. While no details were given about firing rate, the documentation described it as “a fun and deadly weapon at close range.”
——With so much attention focused on the Double Tap addition, what kind of weapon meta do you expect this season?
O’Brien:
Speed isn’t just a focus for legends—it applies to weapons too. This season will especially highlight SMGs and handguns. We’d be happy if players try more variety in their weapon choices.
——Season 26 introduced a new element called “Amplifier.” How do you evaluate gameplay after its implementation?
O’Brien:
The Amplifier has allowed for more powerful playstyles, which the community seems to have welcomed. It’s also been an excellent experience for us as developers. The fact that it adds a layer beyond just adjusting legends or weapons—acting as a power-up item players can acquire during gameplay—has enriched our design space.
We can’t confirm anything about Amplifier’s future right now, but we’re carefully reviewing community feedback and reactions.
Movement Enhancements in Gameplay
A new character control system, “Mantle Boost,” is being introduced. When climbing walls or steps, it automatically triggers a forward speed boost. While this technique was previously known among players, the activation conditions were obscure—often requiring outside knowledge to recognize. Now, with an added visual indicator, anyone can intuitively understand when and how to use it.
Additionally, the vehicle “Trident” is being improved. Collision detection has been revised, durability adjusted specifically for vehicles, and handling refined to deliver a lighter, more agile feel.
Finally, here are additional Q&A responses with Nikolich to wrap up this article:
——Are there any new initiatives regarding anti-cheat measures or ensuring healthy gameplay?
Nikolich:
I apologize if my answers always sound similar, but from a security standpoint, I can’t disclose much here. However, I’d like to emphasize that we continue our ongoing efforts across all platforms to maintain game integrity, fairness, and competitiveness—ensuring every player gets a fair experience. This is an endless, continuous process.
——A message for Japanese players and the community?
Nikolich:
Thank you so much for enjoying “Apex Legends.” The game turns seven next year, and we’ve been able to develop and operate it thanks entirely to our supportive community. In particular, Japan’s community is absolutely essential—powerful, vital, and irreplaceable for “Apex Legends.” I truly hope everyone enjoys Season 27 “Amped.”
Also, the Apex Legends Global Series Year 5 Championship will be held from January 15 to 18, 2026 at the Daiwa House Premist Dome in Sapporo, Hokkaido. I’m really looking forward to meeting you all again—see you there!