Rocket League

How Rocket League works

Rocket League is a free online game which combines football with rocket-powered cars. The aim is for players to work together to perform tricks, battle and ultimately hit the ball and score goals with their vehicles. Players can customise their cars with add-ons and vehicle enhancements which they can earn, collect and purchase.

Rocket League is available on PC and some games consoles. There is also a mobile app version called Rocket League Sideswipe. 

Minimum age requirements

Rocket League is rated PEGI 3, making it suitable for all ages. However, an Epic Games account is required to play the game. Children under 13 are unable to register for an Epic Games account without parental verification.

Features

Cabined account 

This feature allows users under 13 to play Rocket League without the chat function or access to purchasing items with money until they have your consent. Existing accounts for users under 13 will automatically become cabined accounts.

Credits 

These are used as in-game currency to purchase add-ons or customisable features for vehicles.

Custom game 

Players can create and join private games, known as ‘custom games’, where they can share a game name and password with their friends to join.

Drops 

These are awarded to players through gameplay, completing challenges, or watching special streams. They contain a random reward after being opened. 

Matches 

Each game is a 5-minute match between 2 teams. Matches can be played ‘Casually’ (for fun) or in ‘Competitive’ mode (where players are ranked and progress through tiers).

Party 

Users can set up a ‘Party’ where they can regularly play private games together. 

Party-up 

This allows players to group together once a match ends to keep playing together instead of being ‘matched’ with new players each time.

Postparty clips 

Rocket League players can download the ‘Postparty’ app and login using their Epic Games login. They can use this to capture clips of their Rocket League gameplay. They can then share these on social media.

Quick chat 

Players can chat and interact with each other during gameplay using the chat function. It offers a selection of customisable pre-set messages.

Rocket Pass 

This refers to a time-limited progression system that allows players to earn new content and features. Players can purchase a premium Rocket Pass which gives them more rewards.

Standard 

A type of match which is played by 3 players against another 3 players. 

Text chat 

There is an option to use text chat between players.

Managing risks

Contact with other users

The most significant risk in Rocket League is that private games can be played between players who do not know one another. In these games all players in the match can chat with each other.

If you have not enabled the parental controls to limit who your child can chat with, there is a chance they could chat with a harmful stranger.

There are actions you can take to reduce the risk of harm from these users.

Set up parental controls

By setting up parental controls, you can prevent your child from accessing the text chat that might bring them into contact with harmful strangers.

Encourage avoiding playing Rocket League games with strangers

Encourage your child to only play private games with friends they know and trust in real life. Teach them not to accept friend requests or game invites from players they don’t know.

Talk about safety online

Speak to your child about the risks of chatting with strangers. You should also explain the importance of not sharing any personal information with other players within chats. Encourage them to tell you if they have been asked more personal questions or feel uncomfortable with anything shared within the chat.

Use reporting and blocking tools

Encourage your child to use the reporting and blocking tools if another player is making them uncomfortable. This will make the game safer for them and everyone else.

Overspending

There are opportunities for players to make in-game purchases to personalise their vehicles. Young people might feel pressure from friends to spend more than they can afford and might not understand that money spent online is real money.

These steps can help your child avoid overspending.

Set purchasing restrictions

You can set the relevant in-game purchase settings through the parental controls on your child’s device or within the Epic Games Store.

Discuss spending

Speak to your child about in-app purchases to ensure they know that real money is used to make purchases within the game. You can help them understand the value by comparing the money they spend in the game to things they could buy offline for the same amount.

Settings to protect your child 

If your child plays Rocket League, these settings can help them stay safe.

Parental controls

• Go to the Epic Games website and sign in to your child’s account.
• Open the ‘Account’ menu.
• Select ‘Parental Controls’.
• Enter the pin you used when you set up your child's account.
• Here you will find parental control options which include the following:
  • Payment.
  • Games store.
  • Friends’ permission.
  • Voice chat permission.
  • Text chat permission.
  • Mature language filter.
  • Playtime tracking report.
• Work through each of these settings by choosing the most appropriate setting for your child (for younger players it is recommended they are set to ‘Friends only’).

Reporting and blocking tools

• Open the menu during or after a match.
• Select ‘Report/Block Player’.
• Select the player from the list.
• Select either ‘Report’ or ‘Block’.
• Choose your reason from the listed options:
  • Verbal harassment.
  • Match throwing (intentionally losing a game).
  • Intentionally idle (deliberately not moving your car).
  • XP farming (focusing on gaining experience, rather than trying to win games).
  • Inappropriate player name.
  • Inappropriate club name.
  • Trade scam (tricking other players to trade high value items in exchange for worthless ones).