A few months ago, Psyonix surprised everyone when it announced its popular "soccar" game, Rocket League, would be going free-to-play later this year.
When it is finally made available to everyone, as you might have guessed, it will no longer require users to be signed up to Nintendo Switch Online to join matches on the internet. This covers both the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 versions of the game. Here's the full confirmation from the Rocket League website:
PlayStation Plus on PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch Online will no longer be required for online play on those platforms.
This is the same model as games like Fortnite, where you can play online multiplayer without a subscription.
According to the same page, the next update for the game - featuring a streamlined season, new competitive ranks, and a new player experience (tutorial) - will be rolling out in a few weeks time around mid-September, and the launch of free-to-play will follow shortly after this.
We can't share the exact date quite yet, but stay tuned for more info.
Will you be returning to Rocket League when the game goes free-to-play? Tell us down below.
[source rocketleague.com, via nintendoeverything.com]
Comments 21
Returning? I never left lol but am still looking forward to a new season and Rocket Pass 7.
Now if only every console game would drop the paid subscription requirement too.
I've never spent a single penny with microtransactions on any game but because I've bought Rocket League it feels like I did, retroactively
Real life retcon
Anyway I think it's a good move. Other multiplayer-with-things-to-buy games like Overwatch could work out well with the free to play model, I dunno why they charge something upfront besides tradition at this point
Finally. I don't like Switch online. This will get me back online for free.
@NullPointerExcep Tell that to the Avengers game lmao, looks like a F2P game and yet costs upwards of £50
I've never been to it. I played it split screen with friends when it first arrived on PC years ago. Never liked it much. Not as good as Excitebike 64 Soccer Mode.
NSO really losing the little appeal that it had day by day.
I always liked Nintendo, but the missed opportunities right now are ridiculous.
I just saw someone with a ping of "8" while playing a 3v3 match. Not 20, 30, 40, 50, 60+...
EIGHT!
Never seen that before.
@Shamrock Psyonix says it will show up shortly after the mid-September update - so around then, maybe?
I feel bad for the person who (generously) purchased the game for me. Having this game come out for free eventually AND its online subscription wall eliminated is great, but it doesn't seem to be a limited-time free game, which basically means no refunds.
I don't think I've ever regreted investing in a game before, like, a game can be bad, but I haven't had a game devalue my purchase before. Not only is the game I paid for now free, but all the DLC I bought is not going to be part of the cross save feature because it's before the current DLC model. At least I'm glad I never got around to buying it on PC like I intended to.
@HalBailman I didn’t like it much either but a friend of mine got me into it and now with free to okay we plan to make large tournaments with friends and everyone hook up via zoom.
@WoomyNNYes 😱That’s crazy that must be that google fiber or something.
That’s it then I don’t need switch online anymore.
@HalBailman It's the best sports game ever made in my opinion. It's a difficult game to get the hang of but once you do, it's so much fun. There's nothing else quite like it.
@OorWullie I'd place it in the top 20 sports games. The fun factor is too limited for me.
@PcTV I’ve bought this game on PC, PS4 and Switch and I don’t regret it. Shame about the DLC though.
@Shamrock Summer ends on 22 September. So technically it is still within the parameters.
@Entrr_username Yeah I don't use paid online service, but discounts and "free" modern games could make it worth it though. Just playing online and a collection of games I have on several platforms or no interest in, not. It's ok that we don't get the extra stuff when not paying obviously, but internet itself is enough of a cost to at least get access to it, it would also make online more crowded for those who do pay for the extra's. And it's not like Nintendo NEEDS the money. Definitely not more than I do.
I liked Rocket League when I played it at a family member’s house, and I thought about buying it numerous times. The Epic stepped in and bought the development team, so unfortunately I refuse to purchase now. Epic/Tencent represents everything that makes my skin crawl about EA. They are arrogant and manipulative, weaponizing gamers to further their personal agenda to become an even larger player in gaming. They want to be the Apple of gaming and if they succeed they will be just as abusive in their monopoly as every other monopoly (including Apple).
Doesn’t help me as I need switch online to play MK8 deluxe anyway... But would love if i could play rocket league on Xbox one without subscription....not gonna happen methinks.
@NathanTheAsian
You'll get "legacy status".
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