It's hard to believe it's been seven years since the very first kickoff touched the pitch in Rocket League. What started out as a small indie game on just two platforms has grown into millions of players aerialing and double tapping their way to victory on every major platform in video games.
Since we're celebrating Rocket League's seventh birthday on the seventh day of the seventh month while in the middle of Season 7, we wanted to take a look back at some of the best personal memories from seven of the game's biggest personalities. We caught up with Athena, Kronovi, Lethamyr, Musty, Rizzo, Sandman, and SunlessKhan to ask them seven burning Rocket League questions, plus seven fun questions too! Check out the Q&A below:
When did you start playing Rocket League?
Athena
I started playing late 2016. I had a friend finally convince me to play the game and ever since then I’ve been hooked!
JonSandman
I played Rocket League from the moment it came out. I have an achievement on Stream called "Friendly" which says Play an Exhibition Match and I have it completed on July 7th, 2015 at 3:30 in the morning.
Kronovi
I started playing Rocket League during the first alpha test in 2014.
Lethamyr
I first downloaded the game in December 2015 when my friend told me to try it with him (shoutout to George! You know who you are) and at the time I was really into League of Legends and CS:GO. It wasn’t until February 2016 when I truly tried getting into the game, and I was immediately hooked after the first goal I scored. All of my free time went into improving in Rocket League and trying to rank up to Gold, which was the highest rank at the time besides top 100 Platinum. Goodbye to League of Legends and CS:GO, hello Rocket League. I never looked back.
Musty
January 2016
Rizzo
I started playing Rocket League in August of 2015, a couple months after the initial release.
SunlessKhan
November 16th, 2015
What was the first Rocket League car that you loved to use?
Athena
The Octane ZSR specifically with a bow on top was my go-to set up, it will always have a special place in my heart.
JonSandman
Easily the Breakout. IT WAS SO GOOOD!
Kronovi
My first favorite car was the Paladin. I loved the spikes it has on the front.
Lethamyr
This is a throwback for me, and I think about this car quite often. Most players nowadays play Octane, Fennec, or Dominus, but my Breakout in black and yellow stripes with a taxi topper is still close and dear to my heart. I clearly remember rocking this car in low Silver with my duo partner who got me into the game. Crazy to imagine this was over 6 years ago now, but the days of playing with this car in my university dorm are so vivid to me.
Musty
Ripper 😈😈😈
Rizzo
My go-to car at the beginning of the game was the Merc.
SunlessKhan
The Venom!
What was the hardest mechanic for you to learn?
Athena
How to score a goal.
JonSandman
The concept of jumping in the game I could never fully grasp (to this day) AND then when I found out you could double jump I nearly passed out.
Kronovi
I spent the most time struggling with stalls. It's a very precise trick that doesn't get a lot of opportunities to practice.
Lethamyr
I wouldn’t say I’m the most mechanical of players, and I’ve never really strived to be one, but my strengths in the game have always been around positioning and playing any situation to the best of my abilities. I can’t say there’s a time where I strictly worked on a core mechanic, but just improved my car control gradually through the 12,000+ hours I have in this game. One of my favorite aspects of the game is the physics. I’ve always loved games like Pool where you can predict the bounces and trajectories of the ball, and Rocket League is no different. I feel like there’s such a high skill ceiling in this game mechanically and there’s always room for improvement.
Musty
Fast aerials
Rizzo
Hardest mechanic for me to learn was probably dribbling. I remember in the early days there not being many tutorials out there so everyone was basically on their own to learn.
SunlessKhan
They're all hard for me to learn, I can still barely hit the ball where I want it to go.
What's your favorite Quick Chat?
Athena
Nice One! Is underrated because you can either use it to encourage your team or completely try and tilt your opponents when they miss.
JonSandman
"Sorry" is WITHOUT A DOUBT my favorite and most used quick chat. I will let you figure out why.
Kronovi
The best chat is definitely Nice One! You can compliment anything that happens or even use it sarcastically if you need to talk some smack 😛
Lethamyr
My most used Quick Chat has to be “Nice one!” but “What a save!” still hits the spot. I’m still waiting for the day when we have a “THIS IS ROCKET LEAGUE” Quick Chat!
Musty
Holy cow!
Rizzo
My favorite quick chat has always been What a Save! Only when used sarcastically of course.
SunlessKhan
Tie between Whew and What a save!
What's your favorite Rocket League memory over the past 7 years?
Athena
It would have to be either meeting my fiancé because I was streaming the game or when my music was added in game. 2 moments I’ll remember for the rest of my life.
JonSandman
One of my favorite memories was when myself, Woofless, and Neatmike signed up our team F2 for Season 3 RLCS. We made it SO much further than anyone ever thought and it was probably some of the most exciting/nerve wracking games we have ever played in our entire lives. We called it "Rocket League The Movie" and it was just so fun to take something seriously with such a silly group of dudes.
Kronovi
This is a tough one. Over the years, Rocket League has created so many amazing moments. I still think that the Season 1 World Championship has some of the best memories for me. It's not just because of how the tournament went, but because I finally could see all my friends and competitors in person for the first time
Lethamyr
This has to be the toughest choice, to narrow down all these wonderful memories over the past 7 years into one favorite. I’ve played in the RLCS, coached an RLCS team, and now created daily Rocket League videos for over 3 years, so at this point I can’t quite put a single memory as the #1 moment for me. There are so many great personalities that I’ve met through this game, and so many people have influenced the path I’ve taken to this point. What I will say, though, is I expect many more great memories to come in the coming years.
Musty
Hitting 1 million subs
Rizzo
My favorite Rocket League memory over the last 7 years has to be winning ELeague in 2017 and meeting so many community members throughout the years.
SunlessKhan
In 2018 I was supposed to 1v1 FLuuMP for a showmatch on JohnnyBoi's stream, but instead I had Lethamyr play for me on my account for the first game. It was the first time I met Lethamyr and I had no idea if he'd even agree or if FLuuMP would figure it out, but it went perfectly. FLuuMP was thoroughly confused and it was hilarious. I think that may have been the first big "Rocket League prank" video.
What is Rule 1?
Athena
I know exactly what you’re doing and don’t want to start a riot.
JonSandman
When the cars are locked head to head is rule 1. You are going to have people say "OH I'M AN OG OF THE GAME AND TRUST ME ITS NOT LETTING THE BALL HIT THE GROUND" BUT DON'T TRUST THEM. They are wrong... I am older than all of them so I win.
Kronovi
Rule 1 is keeping your car locked with someone else's should you drive into each other, of course.
Lethamyr
Oh boy… This is definitely a rule that has always been up in the air for the whole Rocket League community. Keeping the ball up at 0 seconds was the original Rule 1 and no one can change my mind on that. However… rules can change, because I honestly can’t remember the last time I honored that rule. But keeping cars locked together if they’re bumper to bumper I almost always follow since it became a tradition.
Musty
Cars locked 🚗
Rizzo
Rule 1 is when you keep the ball up at 0 seconds.
SunlessKhan
It's when two cars lock their noses and don't move until a goal is scored.
What do you want to say to the community?
Athena
Thank you for changing my life. And I look forward to meeting you all either at an event, stream, or community event in the future. I will forever be thankful for y’all.
JonSandman
The community has forever changed my life. I am so grateful for all the friends that I have made throughout playing Rocket League and cannot wait for all the adventures ahead of us. This community is the greatest group of people in the world, from the casters, to the content creators, to the most amazing fans that anyone could ever ask for. I will forever be grateful to just be a part of something so great.
Kronovi
I just want to say thank you. I've been a part of Rocket League since its inception and the amount of love, support, and passion in this community has never waned. I know myself and my peers are grateful that you choose to shine a positive light in Rocket League.
Lethamyr
To those who have followed me throughout my Rocket League career, thank you. I could not do what I do without all of you, and it has been an insane journey thus far. I will never get tired of creating unique videos and reading all the positive comments from fans around the globe.
I’m very lucky to feel like I’m part of a big family in Rocket League. There are so many people who have been touched by this game, and it shows at live events seeing the smiles on all the faces of Rocket League fans.
I also wanted to send out a special thank you to my editor, DannyLotus, who has put thousands of hours of love and care into our videos over the past 2 years. You have been an absolute joy to work with, and I hope I get to work with you for many years to come.
One final thank you to my fiancée, Shannon, who has supported me in my career for the last 4 and a half years we’ve been together, and of course my family. Shannon, you’ve been my biggest supporter and cheerleader in the ups and downs. And to my parents, I’m very lucky to have a family who supported the risks I’ve taken. I won’t get all sappy but there are many more who have helped me along the way, and you know who you are.
Musty
Hey gamer. Thank you guys for all the support in my Rocket League journey 🙏
Rizzo
The Rocket League community is amazing. Meeting so many people over the years have been some of the greatest memories of my life
SunlessKhan
From the real ones who have stuck around for 7 years, to the real ones who picked the game up last week and will never stop - I see you and love you for the commitment and passion you have. You're underappreciated and you deserve more. I think you're the most caring and passionate community in all of gaming and I want to give you everything I can for what you've done for me and everyone else living and thriving off this game.
DualShock, Xbox Controller, or Mouse/Keyboard?
Athena
Xbox. Hand down. No discussion needed.
JonSandman
I was a playstation for SO long and I recently switched to Xbox.
Kronovi
I've always been a DualShock fanboy ever since I started gaming. It began on the DualShock 2 and I never looked back.
Lethamyr
Xbox! I love how my thumbs are symmetrical on Xbox controllers, I could never get used to the different layout on DualShock. As for Mouse/Keyboard… I have maybe 20 hours of gameplay in Rocket League on KBM, and I don’t think you want to see that embarrassing gameplay.
Musty
Xbox
Rizzo
Xbox controller.
SunlessKhan
Xbox but I've gone through about 20 controllers in my career, might be time to switch...
iPhone or Android?
Athena
iPhone 100%.
JonSandman
iPhone. Stop pretending to be cool cause you're on android (;
Kronovi
I used to have an iPhone, but Android is king now.
Lethamyr
I used to own an iPhone, but 5 years ago I swapped to Android! I don’t know what all the fuss is about which phone is better, both seem great.
Musty
iPhone
Rizzo
iPhone but been thinking of switching 🤔
SunlessKhan
Android is superior in every way but I have an iPhone for some reason.
Is it pronounced "gif" or "jif"??
Athena
Gif!!!!
JonSandman
Gif, Jif is a delicious unhealthy peanut butter and if you say it like that, I doubt you are fun at parties.
Kronovi
Who says jif???? where are they??? "gif" is the only proper pronunciation!
Lethamyr
We’re just looking for trouble now, aren’t we. I pronounce it “gif” with a hard G, because the letter G in “gif” stands for Graphics! It isn’t Jraphics, guys.
Musty
gif
Rizzo
gif
SunlessKhan
It's pronounced 'jif' but I say 'gif' to appease the masses.
Favorite snack food?
Athena
Anything lime flavored.
JonSandman
Hummus. ALL DAY.
Kronovi
My favorite snack as of late has been to grab some kettle cooked chips. I just have to be careful to actually eat a snack sized portion of them haha.
Lethamyr
I’m not a huge snack guy, but if I get my hands on Salt & Vinegar chips, that bag goes from full to empty in a matter of minutes.
Musty
Hotpockets
Rizzo
Goldfish crackers
SunlessKhan
Cheese and crackers.
Favorite Emoji?
Athena
JonSandman
🤣
Kronovi
😳
Lethamyr
Can I have 2? ⚽️🚗 of course! No competition.
Musty
💅
Rizzo
🔥🔥🔥
SunlessKhan
🤣
You can only keep 3 apps on your phone. Which do you choose?
Athena
Books App, Spotify, YouTube.
JonSandman
Twitter, Discord, Twitch
Kronovi
Snapchat, YouTube, Uber Eats.
Lethamyr
It has to be Twitter, Youtube & Twitch since that’s what I mostly use. Besides, who needs the weather app since gamers never touch grass, right?
Musty
Twitter, YouTube, and notes app (for video ideas)
Rizzo
YouTube, Twitter, TikTok
SunlessKhan
Google drive, Youtube, Twitter
You can have any super power. What is it?
Athena
The ability to change the weather. I love rain and thunderstorms so much.
JonSandman
I would want the power to turn ANYTHING into food. First off we could solve world hunger which would be awesome BUT ALSO I could turn some boring used soda can into a Medium Rare Bone In Ribeye...Now tell me that wouldn't be epic (If you don't eat meat I could make it a dope little caprese salad or something, don't worry)
Kronovi
Teleportation. The ability to instantly go wherever I want would be nice
Lethamyr
Teleportation is such an underrated super power. If I was to rank super powers, this is an easy S-tier power for me.
Musty
The ability to manipulate the probability of any situation.
Rizzo
Teleportation
SunlessKhan
Flying
Big thanks to Athena, Kronovi, Lethamyr, Musty, Rizzo, Sandman, and SunlessKhan for participating, and thanks to the entire community for being a part of the past seven years!