One game that I love is Rocket League. The dynamics of the game are so entertaining and unlike any other competitive online game, that many fans of the series have absolutely no issue putting thousands of hours into their own learning process in how to improve at playing glorified Car Soccer. There’s fellowship among your teammates in how to overcome a near-equally skilled set of opponents. The 5 minute timer ticking down sets a sense of challenge, especially when you’re down in goals. When the timer hits zero, a goal can still be scored so long as the ball does not touch the ground first, which has led to some incredible intense moments. For those who like to play sports, refine their craft, think spatially, and work with a team, this game is an art piece on what a game can truly be. I would even argue that this game is even more dynamic than it’s ball sport counterparts, assuming you are past an initial skill curve (of both Rocket League and a ball sport, say, volleyball in my case). When I consider how many plays on the ball I get per minute playing a 2v2 Rocket League match to a 6v6 volleyball match, I have found that the speed of play and ability for agency and creativity is much greater online. The mechanics of the game (positioning, flying, flipping, dribbling, etc.) are crafted in such a way that it supports such an engaging and interactive level of play. I consider this main gameplay loop to be challenge/sensory/expressive fun, for the creativity possible in designing your car, inventing new mechanics, and learning how to beat the new 5 minute puzzle in front of you.
