Apex Legends Season 3 detailed: Release date, new Legend and rewards

Respawn Entertainment is gearing up to release the third season for its free battle royale game Apex Legends, the company announced today. The third season will bring a new battle pass, as well as a new Legend recently teased in the game, a new firearm, and more. The game remains free to download and play; the battle pass, as with Fortnite before it, offers fans a little extra if they're willing to pay.

The third season of Apex Legends is officially called 'Meltdown' and it will be available for players starting on October 1. The new battle pass will offer players more than 100 exclusive items, according to Electronic Arts, including brand new Legendary skins, Apex Packs, and other unspecified items.

The most hotly anticipated addition to the game with Season 3 will be the new Legend called 'Crypto.' Featured above, this character will enable players to deploy 'specialized surveillance drones' in order to fight opponents from a safer distance, according to EA. Players will also enjoy the new 'Charge Rifle,' a new energy weapon offering 'obliterating' capabilities.

The company isn't revealing all of the details at this time but promises it will be back with additional information soon. In addition to teasing some of the content users can expect, EA has introduced Ranked Series 2, the new Ranked mode series that will also arrive on October 1.

With the new Ranked series, players will see the same scoring system from the first series, but with 'a few improvements.' EA says to expect ongoing improvements to the series' ranked matchmaking, as well, plus the company will roll out a soft reset of players' existing ranks and some cosmetic ranked rewards.