EA soft launches Apex Legends Mobile in 10 countries

Apex Legends Mobile is getting a soft launch today in 10 countries as Electronic Arts tries to bring its popular battle royale to mobile gamers.

Respawn Entertainment’s Apex Legends has been a massive free-to-play hit on PC and consoles. Apex Legends Mobile is now available for players to test in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Mexico, Peru, Argentina, and Colombia.

This limited regional launch will help Respawn and Lightspeed & Quantum Studios development teams test matchmaking and progression systems, backend infrastructure and in-game commerce, and regional live operations capabilities. Respawn will provide updates in the coming weeks and months for players outside of the 10 limited regional launch countries as development continues.

In this limited regional launch, players will be able to play battle royale on the classic World’s Edge map. They can also try out three game modes, Team DeathMatch, Mini Battle Royale, 3v3 Arenas, and compete in Ranked Battle Royale matches.

While player progress will be reset after the end of the soft launch, players will be able to complete limited-time challenges and earn unique, limited rewards like badges, weapon charms, and beta banner frame that can be included in the global launch.

Players from participating countries can join the limited regional launch by downloading the game from the Google Play Store or Apple’s App Store.

Although Apex Legends Mobile and Apex Legends are both set in the same universe, they will be on separate servers. As Apex Legends Mobile is a standalone experience offering controls, content, social features and game modes tailored to mobile play, there will be no cross-play with PC/consoles.

While the full game isn’t quite ready for release, Respawn said it will be able to play some of the content Apex Legends Mobile will have available at launch. Legends, or characters, available now include Bloodhound, Gibraltar, Lifeline, Wraith, Bangalore, Octane, Mirage, and Pathfinder. Caustic can be unlocked at Battle Pass level 25.

Apex Legends Mobile will have an in-game store and offer purchasable content. In the store, you’ll find a variety of options, including limited-time themed loot boxes, Lite crates, and Apex packs. The store also includes crafting options and the ability to purchase custom cosmetic items in the “For You” tab. You can also purchase a Premium Battle Pass through the Battle Pass page or a PremiumPLUS Battle Pass with additional bonus tiers, XP, and rewards.

Players participating in the limited regional launch can access the store until May 3. Account progress and unlocked items earned during the limited regional launch period will be reset prior to game launch. All items purchased during this period using in-game currency will be converted to in-game currency of equivalent value and available on the account when the game launches later this year.