‘Apex Legends’ Is Adding Its Old Map Back Friday, But For Only A Few Days

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"Apex Legends"

Credit: Respawn Entertainment

Topline: Soon after the start of Fortnite's new season on Thursday, Respawn Entertainment announced its battle royale competitor Apex Legends would bring back the original map it retired in October beginning Friday, February 21, and running until Monday, February 24.

The start of its third season in October introduced the newer World's End map to the regular ranked and normal game modes, replacing the King's Canyon map except for two limited-time events.

It's a small preview of how season four of Apex Legends, which began February 4, will play out, as its first half will be using a greatly altered World's End map until March 23 before switching over to King's Canyon until the conclusion of the season on May 5.

Season 4 also altered the game's weaponry and added a new character in Revenant, so the weekend will theoretically serve as a test for the season's second half.

Respawn has been very hesitant to make any of its limited-time events or a second map permanent, to the chagrin of fans who are still asking for a permanent solos and duos mode.

Coincidentallyâ€"or notâ€"Respawn is bringing back the beloved map the same day Fortnite started its new season, which brought with it a faction-based battle pass and a cameo by Deadpool.

Key Background: Season 4 started on the one-year anniversary of Apex Legends' record-breaking debut. The surprise release brought in 10 million players in a record-breaking 3 days, and according to Nielsen's SuperData, it had the best first month for a free-to-play game ever with an estimated $92 million in revenue. The game has since cooled but remains a revenue-driver for its publisher Electronic Arts, as it helped break third-quarter live service revenues with $993 million.

Big Number: $1 million. That's how much popular Fortnite streamer Tyler "Ninja" Blevins was reportedly paid to play Apex Legends during its debut. Publishers paying streamers to play their games is becoming a more prevalent way of marketing, and it's helped push earnings of top gamers into the eight figures.