Epic Games has announced the acquisition of Psyonix, the developer behind the car soccer phenomenon Rocket League. Psyonix will continue to develop Rocket League after its integration into the Epic corporate structure.
Psyonix has worked closely with Epic Games for years, so the move isn’t a shock. Psyonix previously worked with Epic on Gears of War and Unreal Tournament. Rocket League uses Unreal Engine 3, and given the success of the game, it’s no surprise that Epic would be interested in bringing them into the fold.
“We’ve been working closely with Epic since the early days of Unreal Tournament, and we’ve survived changing tides as partners, so combining forces makes sense in many ways,” said Psyonix Founder and Studio Director Dave Hagewood. Epic Games Founder and CEO Tim Sweeney returned the sentiment by saying “Psyonix has always been a part of the Epic family, and we’re happy to make it official. We have great respect for how Psyonix has built an excellent team and an incredible community around Rocket League.”
As far as has been announced, Psyonix’s 132 person studio located in San Diego will remain unchanged by the acquisition. The deal is expected to close by the end of May or early June.
Of course, with Epic Games buying Psyonix, the future of Rocket League, specifically where you’ll be able to buy it, is in question. The announcement of the acquisition included details on which digital storefronts would carry Rocket League. It will continue to be available for purchase on Steam until late 2019. After that, it will be an Epic Games Store exclusive. However, anyone who bought the game on Steam after that point will still be able to download it and will receive the same support and updates.
With Rocket League in its pocket, Epic Games will have two giant games on its hands. What this means for Fortnite or Rocket League is in the air.
Rocket League Tips and Tricks
-
10 Rocket League Tips and Tricks for Rocket Pass 3
As we venture towards the fourth anniversary of Rocket League, we can't help but marvel at its continued success. This is a prime example of service games at their best, and it's still getting updates. Want an advantage while grinding out Rocket Pass 3? Here are some tips and tricks. -
Use the Handbrake
Don't be afraid to use the handbrake! Just like in real motorsports, the handbrake can be a great tool for carving around corners and avoiding disastrous wrecks. Driving in Rocket League can take some time to get a handle on, so mastering this move will set you apart. -
Don't Drive Backwards
Similar to the Handbrake, driving backward is another bad habit that's easy to fall into. In most car games, just reversing to get out of trouble works fine, but since Rocket League arenas are circular, it's almost always more efficient to keep going and turn around. Going in reverse just slows you down. -
Conserve Boost Whenever Possible
Once you're heading the right direction, managing your boost is key to driving at a different level. Once you see purple, stop boosting! It's the maximum speed you'll achieve with your vehicle, and any further boosting is just wasting your stock. Save your boost for tricks or aerials, if you can pull them off. -
Don't Showboat with Aerials
In the hands of a skilled player, aerials can be a powerful tool. However, going for them when you're not ready can just lead your team to defeat. Unless you know what you're doing, don't try out these advanced tricks. Stick to the ground-based moves you're used to. -
Shoot With Your Nose
That being said, if you are going to shoot the ball in the air, hit it with your nose. Due to the design of Rocket League's physics, the nose of the car is the best place to put some punch behind your shot. A simple flip can lead to an easy goal. -
Bind Your Controls
If you're playing with a controller, you may have to tweak your settings to get the full potential out of your moves. Rocket League has several options that just aren't mapped on a standard gamepad, including vital air rolls that could make the difference between a skilled novice and a learning journeyman. -
Choose The Right Car
Rocket League has plenty of different Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle-Cars to choose from, and they all function a bit differently on the field. Bigger cars can be more aggressive while smaller frames can open up opportunities for nimble maneuvers. It's all up to how you want to play. -
Don't Mindlessly Follow the Ball
When you're just starting out, it can be easy to stick to prioritize following the ball to keep in the action. However, if you've ever watched a game of real soccer, you know that the best teams don't have a trail of bodies doing a conga line around the field. Communicate with your team and pick a position that works best. -
Dribble (And Pass) Side to Side
If you do end up being on the ball, be sure to dribble from side to side. Don't just mindlessly push ahead, as that's easy for an enemy to predict, instead knock the ball around a bit open up places where you can pass to an open teammate in need. -
Be a Team Player
Of course, the biggest tip for playing Rocket League is to be a team player. This is truly a team sport, which means that success will come to those groups who stick together and work things out. If you know where your teammates are, you can work as a unit and boost towards victory.
