Opinion: How a Low Skill Floor Makes Rocket League Amazing

Post by Joaby @ 12:00pm 15/07/15 | 7 Comments

I'm back with another Video Editorial, this week taking a look at the ultra-popular Rocket League. One of the free games on PS+ this month for PS4 gamers and $20 on Steam -- and with native, seamless cross-platform multiplayer support across both platforms Rocket League describes itself as 'soccer with cars'.

What makes it special is that basically anyone can pick it up and play it, but mastering it is another thing entirely. By contrast, Supraball (which I love) is a game with a similar concept but a much higher skill floor.

Rocket League is, at its most basic level, a game about ramming your car into a ball. Where Supraball combines the skill based running and jumping of quake, creating a first person shooter mixed with soccer, Rocket League is Dodge-em Cars with goal posts. Anyone can drive their car at a big-ass ball as fast as they can, which means, very quickly, anyone can get in on the fun.

Watch the video or read the full script now.

rocket league counter-strike dota 2 supraball esports

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FSCB
Posted 01:00pm 15/7/15

Lol that was a hilarious video. Basically, you justified and discussed in detail the reality of team sports. Since Rocket League is basically "soccer with cars" why would the dynamics of team sport, not be present in this game.
Of course having 6 morons chasing the same ball, ie like kid's playing in the park, is not as effective as having delegated/distinct roles for each player.
Further, of course such a skill game is going to require skills in boost management, jump timing etc...but this doesn't actually make the game deep. Without these extra features, the game is simply very very basic. These features do add depth, but the game is still not deep. It is hitting a big ball into goals, competing against other gamers who are mindlessly doing the same thing.

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Joaby
Posted 01:34pm 15/7/15

I suppose the point I was making was that thanks to a low skill floor players are given the ability to organically sort themselves into those roles of their own volition.

I also strongly disagree with the idea that the game lacks depth because people currently aren't playing it in a deep way. Counter-Strike can just be full-tilt rush team deathmatch if you play on pub servers but it also has the potential to be a deep and engaging spectator sport. With such strong similarities to Power-Play situations in Ice Hockey, I think Rocket League also has that potential. Which, by the way, is what I said it has -- potential. Not a guaranteed path to success.

I not pretending I'm telling people stuff they don't necessarily already know, I'm just trying to share it in a manner that is easily digestible so it gets people to think differently about the games they enjoy. That's what a good feature does, imo.

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zaraq
Posted 01:45pm 15/7/15

Joaby i am a little worried when you describe a game where some cars push a ball around as " ultra-popular " how would you know this? and as i recall Frogga was "ultra-popular" as well 'any one can pick it up and play" what the hell is that supposed imply ? that your target audience are simpleton's who will struggle with a game that is "very very basic.

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Joaby
Posted 01:49pm 15/7/15

I am a keen observer of the human condition zaraq-attack, that's how I know these things.

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zaraq
Posted 03:51pm 15/7/15

Of course you are, i don't doubt your perspicacity for a minute, driving a car and playing with yer balls is right up you're ally.

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Gibster
Posted 11:19pm 18/7/15

Its been a top seller on steam for a while now.

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ravn0s
Posted 11:40pm 18/7/15

i've been watching some vids of this. there's some crazy good players.

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