Rocket League Field expansion is not a new topic. In fact, you can find a thread of pros discussing a longer pitch in a 5v5 format here. Today however I am not advocating for a novel playlist with two additional players on the field; I am proposing a bigger pitch for our current RLCS format of 3v3.
Extend the field and make a 5v5 playlist to test the waters, I don’t know bout you but that sounds pretty interesting to me. While we’re at it make some next level massive field and make it 11v11 see how that goes. Imagine actual positions on each player, I’d be down for that.
— NRG Squishy (@SquishyMuffinz) May 30, 2018
While in 2018 an extended pitch with more players likely sounded like an intriguing update to the only professional RLCS playlist in rotation, 3s, mechanics, intelligence, and speed have advanced markedly in the last few years – so much so that I think if you asked current pros about adding players, they’d call you coocoo.
Why Now is the Time to Expand Rocket League’s Pitch
Lately, speed as an RLCS statistic has grown in prevalence; players at the top of their class like Ahmad strike fear into the opposition and force opponents to make awkward jumps or take uncomfortable 50/50s. It isn’t a coincidence that many of the fastest players in the world are also on some of the best teams.
Of course, speed isn’t the only facet of RLCS that makes a team great, mechanics and brains play just as big a role. Flip-resets and musty flicks are now commonplace in the professional scene. These are mechanics that not only assist teams in dangling around their opposition, but also get the ball across the field at a much quicker rate.
With ball-possession, passing, and brains setting the new status quo for RLCS meta, boomer-ball is now a playstyle veteran fans look back on fondly. However, the shift from long clears to pitch control indicated more than a philosophical transition, it tightened the pitch. No longer are teams gaining possession with space in front of them. Every ball has a challenge, and while this new mindset has facilitated improved mechanics and chemistry, the field is feeling a bit… cramped.
There is a reason many pros now tout 2’s as the chosen ranked playlist; inherently it provides more time on the ball and as a result, we get to see player personality and skill on display in transparent fashion as compared to 3’s. A consequence of quick play is that one tactic has adopted increasing prevalence in recent years… 50/50s. Indeed, if you watch the latest RLCS matches, almost every hit is a 50/50, not a bad thing if you’re okhalid, but, for the viewer and player alike, it seems the skill ceiling might be hitting the top of the Champion’s Field stadium. Additionally, where “ball-chasing” was previously debated as a slimy tactic, it is now the name of the game. If you aren’t ball chasing, you’re not winning. I don’t think this is necessarily a bad development, just that it takes away so much possibility from the game.
What will be Gained from a Larger Rocket League Pitch
To increase time on the ball in today’s current climate, you have two self-explanatory choices, lower the number of players, or extend the pitch. Observing 2’s is all one needs to do in order to see a few of the advantages that more room will bring.
With more space, player mindsets will be on full display. Right now, players are making split-second decisions as every ball likely has a quick challenger. With time on the ball, audiences will have the ability to observe the decision-making process with much more clarity. I am positive Arsenal would make a play on the ball much differently than MonkeyMoon; however, I wouldn’t know, as pros rarely have the time to cycle through potential scenarios. On an expanded pitch, we will not only see how RLCS pros differ in their playmaking abilities, but it will give RLCS players that much more of a personality. How does Squishy’s defensive third man role compare to Rise’s… or how is Comm’s striking ability stack up to Jknapps.
These are questions with tough answers given the current field dimensions, but with more room contrasting playstyles will become readily apparent. I don’t believe the advantages end with improved play, since a new pitch size would correlate to individualism taking on a much bigger aspect of play, fans would have much more to argue about and enjoy. Debates about who is the smartest player, or the most mechanical, would have much more merit given the player’s extended time on the ball.
In keeping with fan entertainment, mechanics would also grab the spotlight on a bigger pitch. I can’t tell you the number of interrupted flip-resets and unpinched pinches that happen per game, but it’s a lot. More time on the ball means more time to display mechanical skill, more chances to double flip-reset, more chances for pre-jump ariels to actually be an intelligent play and not something I do when I’m already 5 goals down. Indeed with the Rocket League mechanics meta showing no sign of slowing down, now would be a perfect time to give RLCS players more opportunities to show off. Fans would similarly enjoy the update as matches would have more highlight-reel goals (Those I won’t act like those are few and far between).
Team-plays are another aspect of RLCS that would see renewed vigor. Cross-map passes, pre-jumps, fakes, and in-field plays are all vital parts of the game that don’t see as much use with the new rate of speed rocket league has reached. Most passing plays are interrupted, most fakes are followed by another defender, and pre-jumps are virtually non-existent given their risk. Heck, here is a quote from Rl legend CorruptedG way back in 2018 exemplifying the same mantra…
“I’ve actually always wanted to test that out. I’m really curious how it would work. I always talk to other pros about what would happen if they made the map bigger, wider, or longer, whatever it is,” he explained. “It’ll introduce way more chemistry between teams. Passing would be way more important, which would be really fun to watch as well, and I’m just curious. I want them to do it eventually.”
Rocket League’s Future
I love Rocket League, and I will continue to no matter Epic Games’ future endeavors. The current field size does provide a few benefits. While cross-map passing plays don’t see the spotlight too often, the passing plays we do see are quick and exemplify the pace these players are capable of playing to. Additionally, with such little room, the mechanical goals that do find the back of the net are all the more better, and require significant ability to pull off under such aggressive pressure. But, with the pace of play only getting faster, and incredible mechanics residing within most rosters, it might be time to think about giving the players a bit more room to work with, I’m sure the fans would enjoy it.
Maybe Rocket League 2.0 on Unreal Engine 5 will head in this direction, or maybe 2’s will become a standard RLCS playlist… whatever the case I believe change is needed. Of course, I don’t know how much it should be extended, or if the ceiling should go higher, or if anyone really agrees, but isn’t that the point of writing opinions, I don’t have to do the work I just get to complain.
If you agree with this thought, or vehemently oppose it, leave a comment telling me why, and check out some of my other insights here.