The new hero Apex Legends Catalyst adds a trans legend to the game

The next legend to join the cast Apex Legends is Catalyst, a defensive terraformer and wizard with “extraordinary, almost magical, control over ferrofluid,” developer Respawn Entertainment announced Monday. It will join the game in November along with the game’s next big update, called Apex Legends: Eclipse.

Catalyst – real name Tressa Smith – is trans and one of many LGBTQ Apex Legends character. She is voiced by actor Mellie Grant and, according to a report from GamesRadarRespawn worked closely with GLAAD consultants and the studio’s own trans employees on its development. Apex Legends also features a non-binary Legend Bloodhound.

The new animated video “Stories from the Outlands” delves into the background of Catalyst, showing her as part of a clan of friends fighting to protect Cleo – the moon of Tressa’s home planet Boreas – which is being mined by the Hammond Robotics Corporation and its stability is threatened. Guided by her friend Margot, Tressa unwittingly becomes involved in an eco-terrorist plot and clashes with Hammond to join the Apex Games.

Cleo’s broken moon seems to be the setting for a new map to come Apex Legends next month. Respawn and EA promise more details ahead Apex Legends: Eclipsewhich arrives on November 1st for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One and Xbox Series X.