Respawn Entertainment has implemented new DDoS protections for Apex Legends players at the highest level of ranked play. For high-level Apex Legends players, Twitch and YouTube streamers, and even esports professionals, the threat of a DDoS attack is unfortunately very real. Apex Legends players can be targeted by opponents who want to win a match, by trolls wanting to ruin someone's day, or seemingly at random. Respawn, to its credit, want's to do everything it can to ensure DDoS attacks don't impact the competitive integrity of Apex Legends.DDoS attacks have a long history in Apex Legends, perhaps even more than in many other online multiplayer games. In 2021, Respawn announced it would be taking "huge steps" to counter a growing Apex Legends DDoS problem, banning certain top players and threatening legal action. In addition, Respawn implemented Steam Networking Code into Apex Legends with its Awakening patch in 2022. But Respawn didn't stop there.In an announcement made on Twitter, Respawn confirmed it had turned on a new anti-DDoS feature on Wednesday. These new DDoS protections are specifically designed for Apex Legends ranked players who have climbed to the highest levels of competition. Predator, Master, and Diamond-ranked Apex Legends players will begin to see a "small shield symbol" next to their server. This will convey that additional DDoS protections are active. Exactly what the new technology does isn't clear, but that's probably by design. All Respawn says on the matter is that it offers "DDoS protection" and that the feature is "ever-evolving."
Some may question why Respawn decided to implement this for Diamond and above levels of ranked play for Apex Legends, and not for every Apex Legends player. The simple answer may be that the new feature is resource-intensive and implementing it for any lower ranks would be expensive to the point of being inhibitive. Alternatively, DDoS attacks may happen so infrequently at lower ranks that the feature isn't necessary.
What ultimately matters is that Respawn is continuing to do what it can to prevent DDoS attacks from disrupting ranked play of Apex Legends. No matter what Respawn does, it's unlikely to be perfectly effective. With every new feature Respawn implements, the lucrative hacking business tends to move forward with new ideas, as well. It's an endless effort, but at least Respawn is putting in the work.
Apex Legends is available now for Mobile, PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.