A Deep-Dive into the History and Future of Rocket League

The game that ‘what a saved’ it’s way to an esports phenomenon

Rocket League is a high-octane, action-packed, vehicular soccer game that has swept the gaming landscape since its release in July 2015. The game, which is developed and published by Psyonix, combines elements of soccer and driving in a fast-paced, skill-based format that has proven to be incredibly popular amongst gamers and esports enthusiasts alike. This article explores the history of Rocket League, examining where it came from and why it has grown in popularity. After learning about the beginning of rocket league, continue reading to explore the game’s current place in the esports scene, along with what’s next for “Carball” and Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS).

This Is Rocket League!

Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle Cars

Faking. Wait, is that true?

Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle-Cars

Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle-Cars

Rocket League was originally released as “Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle-Cars” (or “SARPBC” for short) in 2008 for the PlayStation 3. The game received positive reviews but failed to garner mainstream attention due to its complex gameplay mechanics and lack of marketing. However, the developers at Psyonix recognized that they had something special on their hands and began work on a sequel that would be more accessible to a wider audience. Therefore, Psyonix chose to give the game a second chance with improvements on innovation, design, and overall gaming experience. After years of hard work, Rocket League was launched in 2015 for PC, PS4, and Xbox One, which quickly gained popularity among gamers and the esports community.

The game’s premise is simple: you control a car and use it to hit a giant ball into the opposing team’s goal. But what sets Rocket League apart from other sports games is its combination of high-speed driving, physics-based ball movement, and unique arenas. The game’s mechanics make it so that even the slightest movement can have a significant impact on the trajectory of the ball, making every game fast-paced and unpredictable. 

Rocket League: A Player, and Spectator, Esport

Calculated.

Rocket League’s popularity skyrocketed as its player count grew to more than 90 million players worldwide. The game’s success could be attributed to it’s accessibility, ease of gameplay — although hard to master, replayability, customization options. The pick up and go style of the game makes it easy for anyone to feel included, and even if someone doesn’t understand soccer, they can still enjoy Rocket League for its arcade-style gameplay. The game’s intuitive controls and addictive gameplay earned it a reputation as one of the most fun and engaging multiplayer games of all time. With support for local and online multiplayer, as well as cross-platform play, Rocket League quickly became a household name and a staple of the esports scene.

RLCS

Ranked just got real.

Rocket League has become one of the most popular competitive games in the world. The game’s simple yet strategic gameplay makes it accessible to both casual and hardcore players, while the fast-paced nature of the game ensures that matches are always exciting to watch. The game has seen a massive increase in viewership since its inception, with dedicated fans tuning into Twitch or Youtube livestreams to watch the pros compete at the highest level.

The game’s first professional league, RLCS (Rocket League Championship Series), was launched in 2016 and has continued to grow in size and importance since then.

RLCS has seen some of the most dominant and gifted teams, such as NRG Esports, Spacestation Gaming, G2 Esports, Dignitas, and Cloud9. Competing for huge cash prizes and the title of RLCS champion; teams showcase the game’s best mechanics and the ever-evolving meta.

The RLCS is divided into four regions: North America, Europe, Oceania, and South America. Each region has its own league, with teams battling it out in a series of high-stakes matches to determine who will advance to the next stage. The RLCS also features a Promotion/Relegation system, where the bottom-performing teams from each league must compete in a play-in tournament to retain their spot in the league for the next season.

The RLCS is not just about the teams, however. The game’s top players also compete in individual tournaments and events, showcasing their skills and winning fame and fortune in the process. Some of the game’s most famous players include GarrettG, Scrub Killa, and Turbopolsa, who dominate the leaderboards and inspire up-and-coming players to follow in their footsteps.

What’s Next for Rocket League?

Everybody Dance!

What does the future hold for Rocket League? The game shows no signs of slowing down, with Psyonix continuing to support the game with frequent updates and new content. In fact, the game’s recent addition of a free-to-play model has led to a surge in player numbers and renewed interest in the game. The esports scene is also set to continue growing, with the RLCS expanding to include more regions and tournaments. With its addictive gameplay, engaging esports scene, and dedicated fanbase, Rocket League is poised to remain a major player in the gaming world for years to come.

Rocket League is a game that has captured the hearts and minds of gamers worldwide. It’s simple yet engaging gameplay and customizable cars combined with its thrilling esports scene, has made it a force to be reckoned with in the gaming landscape. Rocket League’s origins can be traced back to an earlier game called SARPBC, and its success can be attributed to its accessibility, addictiveness, and competitive nature. RLCS represents the pinnacle of Rocket League esports, featuring talent from around the world competing for prizes, worldwide fame, and the coveted title of RLCS Champion. Rocket League has come a long way from its humble beginnings with “Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle-Cars.” It has cemented its position in the esports world and has a dedicated following of gamers, esports organizations, content creators, and showcasters.

RLCS and its events continue to showcase the best the game has to offer; with every game boosting and demoing through boundaries. Psyonix continues to update the game with new features, vehicles, and arenas with the ultimate goal of making the game enjoyable for players and esports enthusiasts alike. It’s remarkable to see how far Rocket League has come. With rocket-powered cars, the sky is the limit of the future of Rocket League.

Gear Up & Game On

Pick up some custom designed Rocket League decals, streaming graphics and more creative swag inspired by video games in the #MadeByMELO Artist Shop.

Support-A-Creator

Show your support and level up your game by using Support-A-Creator Code: MELOGRAPHICS in the Rocket League Shop and Epic Games Store.

Be in the Know

1  MELO SPACE Events: Open to all verified MELO SPACE Discord members 18yo+. See MELO SPACE Discord for full event details and for more information. Community even; not sponsored by Epic Games, Rocket League, and/or Psyonix.

2  Opinions expressed in this article are solely MELOGRAPHICS’ based on personal experience and research using public information and resources; not sponsored nor endorsed by any named company/organization/person unless explicitly stated in the article. All content, games titles, trademarks, artwork and associated imagery are trademarks and/or copyright material of their respective owners. MELOGRAPHICS is not responsible for the content linked externally on third-party sites nor the accuracy of information beyond the publish date. See original sources and references for the most accurate information regarding service an/ or product features/functionality. This article was originally published on the MELOGRAPHICS Blog here.

3  Affiliate Disclaimer: #EpicPartner Creator Code MELOGRAPHICS In connection with Epic Games’ Support-A-Creator Program, MELOGRAPHICS may receive a commission from certain in-game purchases. Links and content on this website may be affiliate in nature and yield a commission which is reinvested into the content, community, and member perks by MELOGRAPHICS. See details

4  Sources: The information in this article sourced from Steam Charts, VGChartz, Rocket League, Forbes, eSports, Epic Games, Steam Community, GamersRdy, Steamladder, App Annie, PlayerCounter, Games Industry, TwitchTracker, VG Insights, Rocket League Fandom, Rocket League, is for entertainment purposes only and not sponsored by Rocket League, Psyonix, Epic Games, and/or third-party companies/teams. All content,  titles, trademarks, artwork and associated imagery are trademarks and/or copyright material of their respective owners.

Reply

or to participate.