In a year marked by a notable decline in Twitch viewership for Apex Legends, TSM's esteemed streamer, Phillip "ImperialHal" Dosen, has laid out three key factors he believes are responsible for the dwindling interest in the game. With a critical eye on the situation, ImperialHal's insights shed light on the underlying issues, highlighting the impact of delayed content updates, lackluster additions, and the absence of a vibrant competitive scene.

ImperialHal’s Three Reasons for Apex Legends' Viewership Downfall

1. Late Content Updates 

ImperialHal's analysis puts the spotlight on the timing of seasonal patch releases by Respawn Entertainment. According to him, the three-month interval between updates is a critical contributor to the viewership drop. The long wait for fresh content, he argues, has an adverse effect on dedicated players who engage with Apex Legends daily. The lack of variety and excitement during this extended period creates a sense of staleness that drives players away, resulting in decreased interest and ultimately impacting Twitch viewership.

2. Underwhelming Additions to the Gamet

One of the most significant criticisms put forth by ImperialHal is the perceived lack of innovation in seasonal updates. He contends that when an update finally arrives after a lengthy wait, the introduced changes often fall short of player expectations. Specifically, the addition of a single new character is identified as insufficient to captivate the audience. The absence of substantial new content leaves players underwhelmed, diminishing their enthusiasm for the game and, consequently, affecting Twitch viewership.

3. Competitive Scene

ImperialHal's third point centers around the significance of a thriving competitive scene in maintaining Twitch viewership. Drawing a parallel with other successful battle royales like Fortnite, he highlights Apex Legends' lagging competitive engagement. He proposes a solution reminiscent of Fortnite's Cash Cups—regular tournaments featuring cash prizes for players of all skill levels. By introducing such a structure, ImperialHal believes Apex Legends could spark increased interest, encourage more participation, and create a stronger connection between the game's competitive aspect and its viewership.

Also read: Apex Legends Season 18: All Major Changes

ImperialHal's concerns about this downward trend are evident. He has not only expressed misgivings about the effects of ranked changes on Apex Legends' viewership but also underscored the urgency of addressing the situation. To reverse the ongoing decline, it appears imperative for Respawn Entertainment to revisit their content release strategy, inject innovation into updates, and bolster the competitive scene.