A new video game is sweeping the nation. Rocket League replicates an indoor soccer match, but with cars and a giant ball.

Power ups are scattered throughout the map, allowing players’ cars to accelerate, giving way for unique play styles and strategies.

The game was released for Microsoft Windows and PlayStation 4 in July 2015, and for Xbox One in 2016.

“I think the reason it’s so popular is because it is something everyone has imagined doing. It’s such a ridiculous idea in real life, but that’s what makes it such a fun video game,” junior Kene Nwankwo said.

According to its official website, Rocket League combines soccer with driving in an “unbelievable physics-based” multiplayer-focused game.

Players can choose from a variety of “high-flying vehicles equipped with huge rocket boosters to score amazing aerial goals.”

One of the common complaints about Rocket League, though, is that there are not enough updates.
As of now, there are several different car designs, such as a lowrider or van. However, the designs mean absolutely nothing in terms of gameplay, leaving players to choose their car designs purely for aesthetic reasons.

“I like the concept, but I think if they made the cars have certain attributes such as speed or strength, people would commit more to the game,” junior Jack Heffernan said. “It would be like playing a first-person shooter where all the guns do the same damage and have the same rate of fire.”

Though most gamers prefer to play casually, there is an emerging competitive scene for Rocket League.
There are a plethora of tournaments happening for Rocket League all the time.

While most are 2v2 or 3v3, there are plenty of tournaments that offer 1v1 or even a few 4v4 team-based events.

However, if you watch some of the tournament games that professional teams play in, you may notice some differences.

Launching off the walls or ceiling and boosting mid-air for a spectacular goal or save is not uncommon.
“Every time I try to replicate them I just lose control of my car,” senior Gabe Woolls said. It’s really frustrating sometimes, and it’s given me a new level of respect for the pros.” senior Gabe Woolls said.

There exist a wide variety of play styles, some based on keeping the ball on the ground and others based on high-flying tactics.

Many professional Rocket League players emphasize that there’s isn’t a set play style that the pros use.
“I think for now, I’m just going to play it for fun,” junior Zach Boudabous said. “It would take too long to master the angles the way the pros do.”

Whether for fun or competition, it is obvious that Rocket League is on the rise.Rocket League stats can be found on the website, ranking the top five hundred players.