Respawn Entertainment have finally confirmed that they’re working on a fix for muzzle flash in Apex Legends after months of player complaints.
When Apex Legends launched in February 2019, players had the option to disable muzzle flash from weapons entirely, but an update in June saw this option removed from the game, a decision that proved quite unpopular with some players.
Many complained that the muzzle flash effects, which produce bursts of light from the end of weapons when fired, were too extreme, making it unnecessarily difficult to keep track of enemies while shooting. What once were simple gunfights with the effects turned off could become chaotic and unpredictable just because the player could no longer properly see what they were aiming at.
Players also argued that these effects were worse at lower FPS and graphics settings, arguably making the handicap greater for those with less powerful PCs.
While Respawn’s refusal to simply reverse their decision entirely and reintroduce the ability to turn it off suggests they are committed to having all players experience the same effects, it does seem they’ve been listening to the complaints after all.
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Respawn producer Josh Medina confirmed on Twitter that the muzzle flash effects have been a “deeper issue than expected”, and while the developers have been working on adjusting it, they “want to properly fix instead of half ass it,” which takes more time.
Some of the modes have simple concepts but they definitely change the way we play the game so that’s exciting to get out the door
Muzzle flash has been a deeper issue than expected, we are adjusting it so we want to properly fix instead of half ass it but it takes time #Soon
— josh medina (@lowkeydbjosh) January 9, 2020
In terms of a timeline for when players might see an update to muzzle flash in-game, Medina offered only a “#Soon”, but it will certainly be welcome news nevertheless for those who have been frustrated by the effects for more than six months now.
The news follows the announcement of Apex’s Grand Soirée event, which is set to run from January 14 to 28 and introduce seven new Limited Time Modes, a variety of new cosmetics and more. The event will round out the current season, with Season 4 set to launch on February 4, meaning Apex Legends players have plenty to look forward to over the coming months.
