Pros and Cons of Season Passes in Battle Royale Games

11 January 2025

Battle Royale games have taken the gaming world by storm, and with their rise, we’ve seen the introduction of season passes as a core monetization strategy. If you’ve dipped your toes into popular titles like Fortnite, Apex Legends, or Call of Duty: Warzone, you’ve likely encountered the infamous season pass. It’s that shiny, tempting carrot dangled in front of players that promises exclusive rewards, cool skins, and a truckload of content for a set price. But are season passes all they’re cracked up to be? While they’ve got their perks, they’re not without their quirks (and pitfalls). Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty to break down the pros and cons of season passes in Battle Royale games.

What Is a Season Pass?

Before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s establish what a season pass is. Imagine a virtual “membership” that grants you access to a series of in-game rewards over a specific period, typically a season (which usually lasts 8–12 weeks). For a one-time fee, players unlock a tiered system of content, which might include character skins, weapon cosmetics, emotes, currency, and more. However, there’s a catch—most of the rewards are locked behind a progression system, meaning you’ll need to earn them by grinding gameplay and completing challenges.

Think of a season pass as a marathon, not a sprint. You’re paying for the opportunity to earn rewards, but whether or not you actually make it to the finish line depends on your time, dedication, and gaming skills.

The Pros of Season Passes

1. Bang for Your Buck

Let’s be real: compared to buying individual cosmetics or bundles, a season pass often gives you more value in terms of content. For $10-$15 (depending on the game), you can unlock dozens of exclusive rewards if you’re willing to put in the effort. If you’re grinding the game regularly, it’s like getting a buffet of goodies at a fraction of the cost of buying à la carte skins.

2. Content Keeps Things Fresh

Ever feel like a game’s starting to get stale? Season passes inject a fresh dose of excitement into the mix. New themes, challenges, items, and sometimes even game modes are introduced each season. It’s a way to keep the game feeling alive and constantly evolving. For players, this constant stream of new content can make the game feel like an endless adventure rather than a stagnant experience.

3. Motivates Engagement

Season passes are a great motivator to keep players engaged. How many times have you logged into a Battle Royale game just to grind out those last few tiers before the season ends? The structured progression system encourages you to play consistently, turning what might have been a casual experience into an immersive, goal-driven activity.

4. Free Track Access

Most season passes offer a "free track" alongside the premium one. Even if you don’t pay, you can still earn limited rewards as part of the free progression system. This ensures that non-paying players aren’t left completely in the dust, fostering goodwill among the community.

5. Supports Game Developers

Let’s not forget the development side of things. Games, especially free-to-play Battle Royales, rely on monetization to survive. By purchasing a season pass, you’re directly supporting the creators, enabling them to release more updates, patch issues, and maintain the servers. It’s a win-win: you get cool loot, and they get funds to improve the game.

The Cons of Season Passes

1. Time Pressure & FOMO

Ever heard of Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)? That’s the season pass’s dark side. Developers create a sense of urgency by limiting rewards to a specific season. Miss out on a rare skin or emote? Sorry, but it’s gone—maybe forever. This puts immense time pressure on players to grind for rewards before the season ends, which can turn casual gaming into a chore.

2. Pay-to-Progress Perception

While season passes aren’t technically "pay-to-win," they do create a perception of inequality. Premium pass holders get exclusive rewards, which might make free players feel like second-class citizens. What’s worse, some games offer "tier skips" for extra money, letting players fast-track their progress. This can lead to a “rich get richer” vibe, where those with deeper pockets enjoy instant gratification.

3. Burnout Is Real

Grinding through season pass tiers can be exhilarating at first, but it often becomes mentally exhausting. Logging in daily just to complete challenges can suck the fun out of gaming. When it starts to feel more like a 9-to-5 job than a hobby, you know you’re in burnout territory.

4. Reward Quality May Vary

Not all season passes are created equal. Some are jam-packed with high-quality rewards, while others feel like they’re padded with filler items nobody cares about. There’s nothing worse than shelling out cash for a pass, only to realize that most of the content doesn’t interest you.

5. Monetization Overload

Season passes are part of a larger ecosystem of in-game purchases, from microtransactions to loot boxes. For some players, the constant push to spend money can feel overwhelming and predatory. It’s easy to feel like games are nickel-and-diming you at every turn, leaving a bad taste in your mouth.

Balancing Fun and Frustration

So, how do you strike a balance with season passes? It’s all about managing expectations and time. If you’re someone who loves the game and plans to play it religiously, a season pass is a no-brainer. But if you only hop on occasionally, think twice before investing. Remember, the purpose of gaming is to have fun—not stress about hitting tier 100 before the timer runs out.

For developers, creating a fair and engaging season pass is a tightrope walk. Transparency, reasonable progression systems, and rewarding free-to-play players are crucial in keeping the community happy while still making a profit. Games like Fortnite and Apex Legends have set the benchmark by offering well-designed passes that feel worth the investment.

Are Season Passes Here to Stay?

Love them or hate them, season passes aren’t going anywhere. They’ve become a staple in the Battle Royale genre and beyond, shaping how games are monetized and updated. While they have their downsides, they’ve also brought some incredible innovations and kept the gaming world buzzing with excitement.

In the end, whether a season pass is worth it comes down to personal preference and playstyle. If you’re the type of player who thrives on challenges and loves earning rewards, a season pass might just be your jam. But if grinding feels more like a grindstone hanging around your neck, it’s okay to take a step back. There’s no right or wrong way to enjoy gaming—as long as you're having fun.