Apex Legends to Add 'No Fill' Matchmaking Option

Respawn Entertainment confirmed plans to add a "no fill" option to its Apex Legends matchmaking system Thursday.

Respawn has long resisted calls from players to add a solo mode to the game, maintaining that Apex Legends was designed for and best played by teams of three. The studio has tested modes with different numbers of teammates, even going so far as to add duos as a permanent playlist in Season 4, but solos, in particular, have been excluded from the game.

Now, Apex Legends design director Jason McCord says a half-measure toward solos is on the way to the game. Players will be able to opt-out of filling their team with other players, effectively letting them drop solo into a game full of teams.

The feature won't be available at Season 8 launch, McCord says, but it's on the way.

"In fact, we're testing it internally and it's working, so should be sooner rather than later," McCord said.

Playing solo in a game full of enemy teams puts the solo player at a significant disadvantage, but allows them more freedom to play how they want, and removes the reliance on teammates for help. Respawn Entertainment still has no plans to add a true solo mode to the game, making this no-fill option likely the best players can hope for.