Soon Rocket League will not need a premium subscription to play online on the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch.
On the Rocket League website, it was stated that the game will not need a PS Plus or Nintendo Switch Online membership when the game goes free-to-play. There was no word on whether or not the Xbox version will need Xbox Live Gold. According to developer Psyonix, an update will release for current platforms in a few weeks, and the start of the game being free-to-play will come soon after that.
When Rocket League goes free-to-play, the game will introduce streamlined seasons. When the title goes free, Season 1 will begin. This means that Competitive Seasons, Competitive Tournaments, and the Rocket Pass will all follow the same schedule. The Rocket Pass will no longer be numbered on its own, and will now be an extension of the Season. Thus, when Season 1 begins, so will its Rocket Pass and Competitive Season. When the first Season ends, so will its Rocket Pass and Competitive Season, and Season 2 begins, so will its own Rocket Pass and Competitive Season.
Rocket League will also be making changes to its Ranks when it goes free. The Grand Champion Rank will be split into three Ranks, just like the ranks below it. Current Grand Champions will likely be placed in the lowest rank of that level, Grand Champion 1 (depending on placement matches). There will also now be a rank above Grand Champion: Supersonic Legend. Both Grand Champion and Supersonic Legend will have their own Season Rewards at the end of Season 1, as well as Rank-specific titles. Ranks are also seeing some shake-up in the lower ranks as well. Psyonix is looking to soft-reset all ranks to account for the incoming new players. This means that Ranks will shift closer to the median Rank. For example, when current Bronze Ranked players complete their placement matches, they may be placed in a higher Rank since they will be better than players who are just starting out. Players will also now have to be level 10 to play in ranked.
To help new players who may be coming in when Rocket League goes free, there will now be a tutorial mode. This mode will put players onto the field and teach them the HUD and button layout. New players will also be able to take on New Driver Challenges, which will allow them to unlock items that were included in the base version of Rocket League.
Rocket League is available now for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and the Nintendo Switch.
