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Psyonix are removing randomized loot boxes from Rocket League

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Rocket League, the awesome sports game about smacking balls into goals using rocket powered cars is going through some changes.

Psyonix announced today, that "all paid, randomized Crates" will be removed from Rocket League sometime later this year. Instead, they're going with "a system that shows the exact items you’re buying in advance" noting similar changes by the Fortnite Save the World team and since Psyonix is now owned by Epic Games it's no surprise they're doing this.

However, it's not clear yet exactly what system they're going to be doing. Going by the title of the post starting with "Crates Leaving", you would think they won't be in it at all. However, the wording in the post was interesting as it leaves it open for them to keep loot crates but have you see the contents. The other option would be a shop system, where you buy exactly what you want. A shop system is definitely better than loot box gambling, however it can introduce its own problems if things are on a timer with FOMO (Fear of missing out) a very real issue for some.

They said more info will be available "in the coming months".

I'm 100% convinced at this point that Rocket League will be going free to play eventually. Until then, find it on Humble Store and Steam.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: Misc, Sports, Steam
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Dragunov Aug 6, 2019
It's probably because things like paid randomized loot-boxes are considered gambling, and gambling is heavily regulated in the United States. I'm not sure about other countries.

I actually haven't played this game yet, mostly because I don't particularly like Soccer. If it goes free to play I will definitely give it a try though.
Salvatos Aug 6, 2019
Quoting: DragunovI actually haven't played this game yet, mostly because I don't particularly like Soccer. If it goes free to play I will definitely give it a try though.
Anecdotally, I don't give a damn about soccer or most other sports, but I have a really good time playing this with friends :)
Beamboom Aug 6, 2019
Quoting: DragunovI actually haven't played this game yet, mostly because I don't particularly like Soccer. If it goes free to play I will definitely give it a try though.

Ah, dude - I have zero interest in soccer either and love this game. It's mad fun and bears no more resemblance with soccer than the fact that there's a ball and goals involved.

Actually you need not have any interest in sports at all to enjoy this game. :)


Last edited by Beamboom on 7 August 2019 at 6:06 am UTC
DerpFox Aug 6, 2019
If its a shop item I will give them a second chance.

I uninstalled the game when they introduced them and never played since I couldn't accept playing a game with predatory monetisation.
lectrode Aug 6, 2019
I had completely forgotten crates were even a thing in RL. Shortly after I first installed it years ago, I checked the "Hide Crates" option, which did exactly that: basically removed all references and instances of in-game crates (it was annoying to see crates as a reward after matches when I had no intention of using them).

I'm glad they had that option. This sounds like it will be a positive step as well. RL is easily one of the top 3 games I play on a regular basis.


FYI: For anyone interested in the Hide Crates option, it does not remove any crates you have, and you still earn crates during gameplay, it's just entirely hidden until you uncheck that option. I unchecked it just to see what, if anything, was there, and I have a ton of crates (maybe around 200?) and about 20 decryptors I've apparently earned.

Also FYI: If you redeem one of the free event crates (not hidden even with that option checked), if you don't open it right away you'll need to uncheck that option to access it along with the other crates.


Last edited by lectrode on 6 August 2019 at 10:40 pm UTC
Liam Dawe Aug 6, 2019
Quoting: DerpFoxIf its a shop item I will give them a second chance.

I uninstalled the game when they introduced them and never played since I couldn't accept playing a game with predatory monetisation.
I dislike loot boxes too, but Rocket League at least had an option in the menu to hide them, not that I've tried it though to see how well it works.
Kimyrielle Aug 6, 2019
Loot boxes is a business model that needs to be banned, period. It's every bit as bad as gambling in a casino, except the casino is required to play fair by telling you your win chances and minors can't enter.
HadBabits Aug 7, 2019
If it was just the cosmetics I could accept that; they've been going for a while and you need to support the servers and devs, etc, etc. However they also sell DLC cars which have different hitboxes and stats, meaning they directly affect gameplay in a multiplayer game, so that's a bit dodgy. Edit: Apparently this was incorrect. Here's a [post on the subject if you're curious]

Either way, getting rid of the predatory randomization is a big step in the right direction, and puts them ahead of a lot ""AAA"" games: I'd give it a solid B :P

Edit: Actually, let's make that a B- for having the gall to put in loot boxes in the first place


Last edited by HadBabits on 7 August 2019 at 11:53 pm UTC
DerpFox Aug 7, 2019
Quoting: liamdawe
Quoting: DerpFoxIf its a shop item I will give them a second chance.

I uninstalled the game when they introduced them and never played since I couldn't accept playing a game with predatory monetisation.
I dislike loot boxes too, but Rocket League at least had an option in the menu to hide them, not that I've tried it though to see how well it works.

I knew about that but I still think loot boxes have no place in games. I can understand a cosmetic shop à la GW2 to keep a service going. Plus at the time I had baught the game and every single one of its DLC to support the Psyonix at full price. That was the killing blow in my trust of Psyonix for me. Why would I support a greedy studio, they already had one of the best selling games and its DLC but they wanted more to pay for an e-sport scene that never grew up anyway.
Mal Aug 7, 2019
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So Epic is adopting a defensive stance now after having made a fortune with that stuff. A little hypocritical given the timing and context but it's good news nonetheless. I wonder if the other big publishers will do the same.

For what concerns EA it's pretty clear that they not only won't step back but they intend to bring as much industry(es) as possible down with them. When US and GB legislators will finally catch up with them I bet the judiciary will strike them with extreme prejudice given that they ignored multiple government "friendly advice" to self restrict.
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