New Apex Legends patch improves audio and hit detection next week
Apex Legends is steadily getting better.
What you need to know
- Apex Legends is getting another patch next week with quality-of-life improvements.
- The update focuses on audio issues, hit detection, and crashes.
- It's unclear when it'll launch next week, but the patch notes have been released.
Apex Legends is a free-to-play battle royale game that has garnered tremendous popularity in recent months. Unfortunately, the process hasn't been that smooth, and Respawn Entertainment has been criticized for its poor communication, cheating problems, and other issues.
While the team is working on the larger problems, the developer recently released patch notes for the "May Performance Update 1.1.3," which brings many quality-of-life improvements. It's scheduled to go live early next week on Xbox One and other platforms. You can read about some of the major changes below.
Audio
- One of the biggest issues... was improving the audio performance to address reports of sounds dropping out, missing sounds for an extended duration, or distortion for a period of time. Respawn has made improvements that will hopefully fix these issues.
- The team will continue to monitor mix issues and address them as necessary.
- Improved audio engine to be around thirty percent more efficient, lessening the chance of distortion or dropouts.
- Lowered impact on data loading through code and content changes to improve potential dropout issues.
- Increased the volume of close proximity enemy footsteps.
- Increased the priority of enemy footsteps to ensure the sounds play even in heavy combat situations.
- Fixed missing or quiet dryfire and low ammo sounds for select weapons.
- Added more detailed audio to the training mission.
Hit detection
- This patch should eliminate many cases of incorrect hit registration.
- Hit detection bugs may be a result of internet connection problems.
- Icons are now pickier about your connection quality and may show up more frequently.
Crashes
- Lowering the clock speed on Intel-based computers fixes a lot of crashes.
- Respawn has notified Intel about the issue.
- This patch includes a workaround to avoid the crashing at your original clock speeds.
You can read the complete patch notes on EA's website.
Hopefully this patch will show substantial improvements for many gamers. Once you download it next week, you should let us know if it worked or if you're still encountering a number of audio, crashing, and hit-detection issues.
The latest free-to-play battle royale game
Apex Legends is the latest in the battle royale craze using a free-to-play model. With excellent squad-based gameplay, fast action, great-looking visuals, and now over 50 million players, Apex Legends is fast becoming a battle royale game to beat.
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Asher Madan handles gaming news for Windows Central. Before joining Windows Central in 2017, Asher worked for a number of different gaming outlets. He has a background in medical science and is passionate about all forms of entertainment, cooking, and antiquing.