CARY – Just over a year after buying Rocket League owner Psyonix, Epic Games is launching season one of the vehicular soccer game as “free to play” on Sept. 23.
The switch means Rocket League is now being taken down the same road that Epic’s globally popular Fortnite took to financial and critical success.
“The decision to ensure Rocket League is not just on every platform but also free for everyone mirrors the wildly successful formula Epic concocted for Fortnite, which is now a cultural phenomenon played by a generation of gamers,” noted The Washington Post.
Epic will be offering Rocket League through its Epic Games Store for play on PC as well. However, it will be delisted from Steam.
“This version of the game will be identical to the version found on other platforms, and will feature cross-platform play anywhere you play Rocket League, including between the Epic Games Store and Steam,” Rocket League explained.
Regardless of which PC version you own, however, both versions will still receive “full support for future updates and features,” such as cross-platform play, the studio said.
“What does this mean for the Rocket League gameplay you know and love? The core gameplay will remain the same, but we are refining the main menus to make exploring the game easier,” Rocket League said.
“Plus, we’re revamping and improving major features like Tournaments and Challenges, and introducing cross-platform progression! Rocket League action on the field will still be the same core, high-octane hybrid of sports and action you love today, and soon, even more players will share that love. That begins with Rocket League’s release on its newest platform: the Epic Games Store.”
But there will be some changes.
“Once Rocket League goes free to play, anyone who already owns Rocket League on any platform (including Steam) will be able to play and enjoy the game with full support for future updates and features,” the league said.
“However, the Steam version will no longer be available to download for new players. To put it simply, wherever you play now (including Steam), you’ll still be able to play in the future.”
Goal! Fortnite owner Epic Games is taking Rocket League free-to-play
