Rocket League Esports

Rocket League is a vehicular soccer video game developed by Psyonix. The game was first released for PlayStation 4 and Windows in July 2015, with subsequent releases for Xbox One, macOS, Linux, and Nintendo Switch. In September 2020, Rocket League transitioned to a free-to-play model following Psyonix's acquisition by Epic Games.

The game is a direct sequel to Psyonix's 2008 title, Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle-Cars (SARPBC).

Gameplay

Matches are typically played between two teams, with team sizes ranging from one to four players, though the standard competitive format is three-versus-three. The objective is to score goals by maneuvering a large ball into the opposing team's net using rocket-powered cars. Matches last five minutes, with a sudden-death overtime period if the score is tied.

Core Mechanics

• Boosting: Players can accumulate and use "boost" to increase their car's speed. Boost is acquired by driving over pads located around the arena.
• Jumping and Dodging: Cars can perform a single and a double jump. The second jump can be used to "dodge" in a specific direction, which is the primary method for hitting the ball with force and for aerial maneuvers.
• Aerials: Combining boosting and jumping allows players to hit the ball while it is in the air. This is a fundamental skill at higher levels of play.
• Demolitions: By achieving supersonic speed (the fastest possible speed, activated by continuous boosting), a player can demolish an opposing car on contact, temporarily removing it from play for a few seconds.

Game Modes

• Soccar: The standard game mode, based on traditional soccer rules.
• Extra Modes: These are permanent, ranked alternative game modes with different rulesets and objectives:
  
  
• Hoops: A two-versus-two mode based on basketball, featuring a smaller arena and a vertical hoop for a goal.
• Snow Day: A three-versus-three mode based on ice hockey, using a heavy, disc-shaped puck instead of a ball.
• Rumble: A three-versus-three mode where players receive random power-ups (e.g., a grappling hook, a plunger, a tornado) every 10 seconds.
• Dropshot: A three-versus-three mode where players must break floor panels on the opponent's side of the arena to create scoring opportunities.
  
  

Esports

Rocket League established itself as a popular esport shortly after its release, characterized by a high skill ceiling and viewer-friendly gameplay. The professional scene is primarily structured around the Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS).

Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS)

The RLCS is the official, worldwide esports league circuit run by Psyonix. It represents the highest tier of competitive Rocket League.

Format and Structure

The RLCS season is divided into three "Splits": Fall, Winter, and Spring. Within each Split, teams from various geographic regions compete in a series of open qualifier events to earn RLCS points and prize money. The major competitive regions include:

• North America (NA)
• Europe (EU)
• South America (SAM)
• Oceania (OCE)
• Middle East & North Africa (MENA)
• Asia-Pacific (APAC)
• Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)

At the conclusion of each Split, the top-performing teams from all regions, based on RLCS points, qualify for an international Major. The season culminates in the Rocket League World Championship, for which teams qualify based on their total RLCS points accumulated throughout the entire season.

History and Evolution

The first RLCS was held in 2016. The format has evolved significantly from its early days of separate North American and European leagues. In 2020, with the "RLCS X" season, the format shifted to the current open, circuit-based model with regional events and international Majors, allowing for greater global participation. Prize pools have grown substantially; the 2022-23 RLCS World Championship featured a prize pool of $2,100,000 USD.

Viewership

The RLCS Majors and the World Championship are the premier events in the competitive calendar and attract significant viewership. Peak audience numbers for these international LAN events consistently reach several hundred thousand concurrent viewers. The RLCS 2021-22 World Championship, for example, peaked at over 368,000 viewers.

Players and Teams

The professional scene is home to numerous globally recognized esports organizations and a deep talent pool of professional players.

Notable Teams

Several esports organizations have achieved significant success and maintained a consistent presence at the top tier of the RLCS. These include, but are not limited to:

• Karmine Corp
• Team Vitality
• G2 Stride
• Gen.G Mobil1 Racing
• Team BDS
• NRG
  Team Falcons
• Spacestation Gaming

Notable Players

Certain players are widely regarded for their mechanical skill, consistency, and major championship victories. This list includes current stars and historical figures who have shaped the game:

• Alexis "zen" Bernier (Team Vitality): Widely considered one of the greatest players of all time, known for a dominant rookie season in 2023 where he won every regional event in the Spring Split, the Spring Major, and the World Championship.
• Evan "M0nkey M00n" Rogez (Team BDS): A former World Champion (RLCS 2021-22) and multiple-time MVP known for his exceptional consistency and defensive prowess.
• Axel "Vatira" Touret (Karmine Corp): A highly decorated player with multiple Major titles and a reputation for being one of the best all-around players in the world.
• Pierre "Turbopolsa" Silfver: The only player to have won four RLCS World Championships. He is one of the most successful players in the game's history.
• Alexandre "Kaydop" Courant: A three-time World Champion, winning consecutively with Gale Force Esports, Dignitas, and Renault Vitality.
  Garrett "GarrettG" Gordon (NRG): A long-standing top player from North America and a World Champion (Season 8). He is known for his longevity and consistent high-level performance.