A new animated short from Electronic Arts and Respawn Entertainment digs deep into the past of the mysterious Apex Legends character Bloodhound. Thefilmcoincides withthe Apex Legends team'sannouncement of a forthcoming Bloodhound-themed Town Takeover event titled "The Old Ways," along with other revelations impacting the game's future. These include the permanent addition of a Duos Mode and Kings Canyon as a playable map.
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"The Old Ways" - A Brief Summary (Limited Spoilers)
"The Old Ways" starts by showing how the hunter lost their father at a young age, a casualty of a technological failure.
It then introducesfans to Artur (sometimes spelled "Arthur"), who isBloodhound's uncleas well as their mentor. Speaking to young Bloodhound, Artur expresses his disdain for technology, which leftpartof World's Edge under a layer of coolant frost.
The video then shows the future Apex legend, who frequently refers to themselves as "Bluthundr" throughout the cinematic, facing off against a massive beast.
Bloodhound makes a split-second decision to use a Charge Rifle against the creature, successfully defeating the being.
A young Bloodhound holds a charge rifle in Apex Legends video "The Old Ways."
In celebrating their achievement,Bloodhound notices a bird, which seems ominous.
Young Bloodhound notices a bird in Apex Legends video "The Old Ways."
Upon their return to Artur, Bloodhound attempts to hide their choice to use a technologically advanced weapon to take down the beast. However, Artur immediately understands the truth and frowns upon this choice as a rejection of the ways of old.
Another series of fateful events then challenges the so-called "old ways," and Bloodhound discovers their true strength.
A beast in Apex Legends video "The Old Ways."
What Else Do We Know About Bloodhound? A Recap
Prior to the video, little was known about the character's backstory. In-game lore secrets alluded to someone named Artur, and a Respawn entertainment representative previously confirmed that was also the name of the character's bird.
The official Apex Legends websiteidentifies Bloodhound as a "Technological Tracker," implying both a strong connection with nature and the use of technology. This fits in with the tale shown in the cinematic, as the character uses both technological means and traditional methods to defeat their enemies.
"Their identity is a mystery wrapped in layers of rumors: they are fabulously wealthy, a bloodthirsty murderer, a Goliath whisperer, a former slave, half bat, and a dozen other things depending on who’s doing the whispering," according to the website. They draw inspiration from the Old Norse Gods of Earth.
Young Bloodhound summons their bird Artur in Apex Legends video "The Old Ways."
The character is more spiritual than many others in the game's universe, with voice lines that allude to blessings and praises to "the Allfather."
Notably, Bloodhound identifies as nonbinary, a character detail celebrated by many members of the LGBTQ+ gaming community.
Bloodhound stands upon slain beast.
What Apex Legends Lore Theorists Say About "The Old Ways"
After watching the video, lore theorists noted a number of minor details such as the fact that Bloodhound's face appears to be badly scarred under their mask. Some have speculated that Bloodhound must wear the mask because they developed respiratory issues as a result of coolant.
One Redditor speculated that if the bird's spirit is tied to Bloodhound's uncle, who disapproved of the use of technology, then that may explain why the bird attacks Pathfinder in one of the game's skydive emotes and a banner frame.
The beautifully-done cinematic is part of the Apex Legends "Stories from the Outlands" series, which gives context to the game's legends and explains their character origins.
Source: Apex Legendsvia YouTube
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