Respawn considers permanent Locked & Loaded mode after player demand and feedback
Introduction
The Apex Legends community’s vocal support for the Locked & Loaded Takeover ruleset has caught Respawn Entertainment’s attention, with developers now seriously considering making these changes permanent.
Locked & Loaded Overview
Introduced during February 2021’s Anniversary Collection event, Locked & Loaded fundamentally altered the early-game looting experience by removing all Level 1 (grey) items from the map.
Instead of landing empty-handed, players spawned with a Mozambique shotgun, helmet, shield, optic, and syringes – a system reminiscent of Call of Duty: Warzone’s loadout approach but with key differences.
Player and Developer Reactions
Lead designer Daniel Klein acknowledged community feedback on Reddit, stating: “We are… considering [making it permanent]. Carefully. I’m concerned about shortening the loot progression cycle, but otherwise it seems beneficial.”
Responses were predominantly positive, though some players noted difficulty readjusting to the standard loot system afterward. Professional players like TSM’s ImperialHal suggested tweaks, particularly regarding the starter weapon.
Potential Implementation
Respawn is carefully evaluating several implementation options to address concerns about the early-game economy. One approach under consideration involves providing only defensive items (helmet, shield) without weapons at spawn.
The development team faces the challenge of balancing immediate action accessibility with meaningful loot progression – a core tension in battle royale design philosophy.
Community Suggestions
Pro players have proposed various refinements: removing the Mozambique starter weapon while keeping other gear, implementing different loadouts per legend, or creating a hybrid system where basic protection items spawn with players while weapons remain map loot.
As ImperialHal tweeted: “Get rid of the Mozam off spawn and I’ll take the mode.” This sentiment reflects a common view among competitive players who want early-game protection without compromising weapon variety.
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