If you’ve trolled around Twitch TV lately looking for something to watch, you may have stumbled upon Rocket League. The new “soccer-car game” has taken Twitch streamers, and viewers, by storm offering a different taste of competitive play. The best way to describe Rocket League is FIFA Football meets Need For Speed, smashed together with TrackMania Nations.
It seems like an incredible amount of fun and has picked up really well among some of the top streamers on Twitch TV. Personalities such as Summit, LIRIK and Sodapoppin have been playing tons of Rocket League and the exposure and popularity has now turned it into an official eSport thanks to Electronic Sports League (ESL).
This is Rocket League
Well, with a lot less swearing of course, but as you can see the game seems like a load of fun. The question is – Can this game match up to the more conventional eSports such as League of Legends, Dota 2 or Counter-Strike? I definitely think so. Rocket League is something completely different. It steps away from cerebral RTS games, and steers wide of your typical FPS competitive eSports titles. There are aspects of strategy, but the basic premise is to score as one would in any football match.
Each car is equipped with super abilities. You’re able to jump, flip and ride around the cage-type setup, pulling off manoeuvres to get ahead. Most of the streams I’ve watched are of guys fooling around having a good time, so it would be interesting to see how the more professional players take to the game. Rocket League offers 1v1, 2v2, 3v3 or 4v4, which leaves ample opportunity for different leagues and divisions. Despite being a completely different kind of eSport, Rocket League is also playable cross-platform between PC and PlayStation (though it’s limited to matchmaking at the moment).
The ESL Rocket League
Rocket League was added to the ESL’s competitive roster just 3 days after release. Their main focus will be on 3v3, with hopes of introducing a 2v2 league as well. So far the European Rocket League Kick Off Cup has 136 entrants, so this is a clear indication that there is a demand for the game. The US were not far behind after Major League Gaming added Rocket League as well.
Rocket League has its own seasonal ranked ladder system, similar to Stacraft II and League of Legends, which will add to the competitive nature of the game. Let’s hope it picks up both on the social and competitive level.
Is this the eSport we’ve been waiting for?
Have you ever tried to explain to someone what an eSport actually is? “Well Dota 2, you see…” You’ve already lost them. Counter-Strike is a bit easier – “You shoot at people,” but imagine showing them Rocket League. It’s cars playing football… there’s really nothing else to it. It’s exciting to watch, it’s easy to follow and there’s nothing paerticularly complex about its gameplay. This may very well be the bridge between the unfamiliar and the enthusiasts, so I for one hope this picks up.
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Last Updated: July 17, 2015
Admiral Chief in Skellige
July 17, 2015 at 08:39
POTTY MOUTH!
Admiral Chief in Skellige
July 17, 2015 at 08:46
More entertaining that soccer for sure, pity about the childish names and behaviour
HairyEwok
July 17, 2015 at 08:47
Also they cant fake an injury…. Oh no I hurt my antenna and wheel. Oh no my fender got bent.
Dutch Matrix
July 17, 2015 at 09:05
Cars cannot fake explosions…
HairyEwok
July 17, 2015 at 09:29
Immediate red card followed by a swift arrest for trying to be a terrorist XD
Guild
July 17, 2015 at 08:51
Nice. Fun game to just have a blast with. Been watching a few Twitch streams
Jonah Cash
July 17, 2015 at 08:54
I played this the other night, but couldn’t find an online match. So I tackled the offline mode and was soon plowing through PC cars like Bakkies on a good Saturday night!! Really is as fun as watching the Boks break the Ausies (Lets hope that happens tomorrow)
Admiral Chief in Skellige
July 17, 2015 at 09:06
I read you were “plowing through cars” and immediately thought you have some weird car fetish. Heh, ‘ploughing’ got a whole new meaning after Witcher
Dutch Matrix
July 17, 2015 at 09:16
He sees a Volla and it is all DOING in the pants…
Jonah Cash
July 17, 2015 at 09:47
Hahahaha… Thanks admiral!
Justinc33
July 17, 2015 at 09:23
hmm, thats not good to hear. I want to buy this but if its still tough to find a game, maybe I should wait for it to pick up more players. I thought the cross play with PS4 would help a lot. Also very curious to hear what latency is like in SA. Wonder if we will ever get dedicated servers?
Jonah Cash
July 17, 2015 at 09:46
I will try again over the weekend, and if I find matches I will come back to tell you if it is worth it.
Justinc33
July 17, 2015 at 10:04
Thanks man, that would be great. Hope you find some games and the ping is decent!
Ibrahim Chhaya
July 17, 2015 at 15:38
I’ve been playing Rocket League quite a lot this week (usually at night) and I’ve always found players online. Even though we play on EU servers, it’s never been unplayable for me. Highly recommended game!
Justinc33
July 17, 2015 at 15:49
Good to know, thanks.
Jonah Cash
July 18, 2015 at 08:31
Finding matches this morning as soon as I search. Over 80000 people online looking for matches. And it is really a fun game!
Fnuik
July 17, 2015 at 09:01
Awesome game. Pity we have to play on EU servers. Never get a ping under 160
VampyreSquirrel
July 17, 2015 at 09:39
I still want to play this game, but I still don’t want to pay for this game 😛
Lollies the Laughing Lollipop
July 17, 2015 at 09:40
Come now.. At R700 for a yearly sub this game and all the others you get through out the year is well worth it.
VampyreSquirrel
July 17, 2015 at 10:02
You’re obviously under the assumption that I own a current gen console, which I don’t. I’d need to buy it on PC, which is $19.99 (approx R300).
And that’s $19.99 I don’t have for a game right now.
Lollies the Laughing Lollipop
July 17, 2015 at 12:42
fair enough.. dont worry payday is near 😛
Sageville
July 17, 2015 at 11:15
Anyone enjoying this on PS4 yet?
Fnuik
July 17, 2015 at 11:39
Jip, great fun! I TOTALLY suck at it, but almost just as much fun scoring own goals as scoring in the correct goal..
schitsophrenic-toothbrush
July 17, 2015 at 12:19
I played a mp session the other day, was super fun however as usual ping was the issue. Perhaps all the lazygame ps4 players should make a group so we can jam?
Nick de Bruyne
July 17, 2015 at 12:51
THIS GAME IS TEH BESTEST. So glad its going to eSports!
Thats_how_I_Troll
July 17, 2015 at 14:54
So no-one noticed the name of the first guy/girl that scored?