Ah… football and cars, are two of the most beloved things in the world. It is no wonder that when the two come together it is bound to be popular. Now, if you are wondering where we going with this, let us illustrate. BetSpider aims to be the best betting tool and your go-to place for e-sports. So, when we heard that FIFA decided to introduce the legendary Rocket League to the FIFAe World Cup, we knew we had to prepare a piece to introduce this game to the masses. Get your engines ready!
Rocket League - Football with cars? What?
Developed by Psyonix, Rocket League (RL) is basically football with cars. With a proposal unlike almost anything else in the electronic games industry, the game gets the most important thing right. Specifically, immediate fun that satisfies those who like to play solo. Yet, it is even better when you call your friends to play together. The aim is to get the ball into the opponent’s goal and, at the end of the timer, the player with the highest score wins.
From the very first seconds of the match, the player realizes the game’s ultimate message: press play and have fun until you get sick of it. Uncomplicated and with extremely intuitive controls, all you have to do is learn how to move your car and start making your first moves. There’s nothing more to worry about in the gameplay experience. Simplicity is RL’s greatest asset.
How to play - It's not rocket science!
Now that you know what you are getting into, let’s talk about how to play. Rocket League has many different game modes, including ‘Casual’, ‘Competitive’, and ‘Tournament’. Users play alone against someone or in a team of 2, 3, or 4. In casual modes, chat and/or text communication is not very important. However, if you improve and want to play in a team, learning how to communicate is a must. Each round lasts five minutes.
Teams have to score the most goals during this time by using the car to control the ball. In addition, there are charging pads to boost the power to increase the car’s speed. Fortunately, the game is free to play/download and is available on several platforms. Such as, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
Rocket League in e-sports
Although it wasn’t a big name in e-sports initially, Rocket League has grown significantly. Now, it boasts huge prize pools and organizations in its competitions. The competition started in 2015, the same year it was released. However, companies like ESL and MLG organized the first events as smaller, online tournaments. In ESL’s case, the famous ‘Go4’ events (weekly and monthly tournaments) helped the game take its first steps on the competitive scene. These events also gave it more visibility, especially in North America and Europe. The scene only really began to establish itself in 2016 with the first season of the Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS). This is currently the game’s most important competition. Recently, FIFA announced the first ever FIFAe World Cup featuring Rocket League, taking the game to new heights.
What about the money?
As expected, the RLCS finals award the largest prizes in the Rocket League scene. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, RLCS Season 9 had to change. Therefore, the editions with the largest prizes are the RLCS Season 7 finals, held in Newark, USA, in June 2019, and the RLCS Season 8 finals, held in Madrid, Spain, in December 2019. Both distributed $529,000, with $200,000 going to the champion.
Outside of the RLCS, the competition with the most notable prize was the ELEAGUE Cup 2018. It featured teams from RLCS Season 6 and included a weekly series about Rocket League on the American television channel TBS. This increased the game’s popularity. Its total prize pool was $150,000.
Five tips to play better
Now that you know all this, you must be biting at the bit to start playing, so here are five tips to keep in mind before you start playing:
Pay attention to positioning
One of the most important points in Rocket League is positioning. In 2v2 matches, one player's attack means another player's defense move. Hence, they alternate between attempts. In 3v3 matches, players must maintain a triangle formation. This formation covers as much space as possible while keeping teammates close enough to provide support.
Here, it's also important to learn the concept of rotation. When a player moves forward, they leave a space behind that another player must fill. When two players are beyond midfield, it may be prudent for the third to stay back a little.
Don't compete with teammates
In both attack and defense, each player has a specific role. They may contest the ball, guard the goal, or try to shoot. However, one of the worst things that can happen is deciding your teammate isn't doing a good job and trying to take over their role. This is inefficient. Additionally, when two players are in the same spot, it leaves too wide an area open for a possible counter-attack.
Don't follow the ball, calculate the trajectory
One of the most common mistakes beginner players make is to blindly follow the ball and advance at every opportunity. Learning to calculate the ball's trajectory and when to move forward are important techniques that will develop over time. Keep an eye on where the ball is going, who is closest and in the best position to advance, and watch your opponents.
Noticing whether a rival player will be able to get to the ball before you or your teammate, and calculating where he intends to play it, will allow you to see a few moments ahead and intercept shots or passes, often creating counter-attacks.
Manage your Boost
There are pads scattered around the pitch that give the player Boost, allowing them to run faster, kick harder, or even fly. However, Boost is limited, and managing it during the match is essential to winning. Save the ability for important moments. For instance, shooting or returning to defense with speed if a teammate makes a mistake. It's worth remembering that Boost resets if there's a goal, so it's not worth saving it when you're on defense.
Also learn to pick up all the small powers scattered around the field instead of going for the bigger ones, which offer 100% of the tank. Often players are so focused on getting Boost that they abandon their position, leaving their opponents free.
Learn to fly
An advanced technique in RL is the possibility of flying your car by tilting it during a jump and using your Boost as a rocket to propel it into the air. Mastering this technique is essential in the more advanced levels of the game, but even players who don't want to invest in the competitive mode can learn it at a more basic level. In lower-ranked matches, flying just a few centimeters above your opponent to hit the ball can be what you need to win a match.
Rocket League - The final thoughts
Summing up, RL’s fusion of football and car-based gameplay has made it a standout title in the e-sports landscape. Major tournaments, such as the RLCS and the ELEAGUE Cup, have been pivotal in elevating the game, offering large prize pools and a platform for elite players to shine. As Rocket League continues to grow and innovate, it is poised to deliver more exciting competitions and capture the hearts of even more fans, firmly entrenching itself as a cornerstone of e-sports entertainment.
Now, you have to get behind the wheel and start scoring goals in this awesome game! And since you are here, remember that the best place to bet on e-sports is BetSpider! So, do not waste any more time, open a BetSpider account and join our web of success!
