Rocket League is getting a limited-time deathmatch mode.
Developer Psyonix is removing the ball in its new Knockout Bash mode as destroying other players becomes the only objective.
The eight-player free-for-all mode was revealed in a PlayStation Blog post and will introduce new mechanics including attack, block, and grab.
The event will only run for two weeks from April 27 to May 10, but features a number of tailor-made maps with various obstacles such as giant spiky pillars.
Maps also feature a “kill zone” where players must force their opponents in order to win using the new attacking, grabbing, and blocking mechanics, inspiration of which was taken directly from fighting games.
“We thought it would be fun if each move set juked another, like rock, paper, scissors,” said Psyonix programmer Sky Breen, who was part of the team developing Knockout Bash. “This way, it would allow players to outsmart others if they can predict what move someone else plans to use.”
Psyonix is “definitely breaking the rules” with the new mode, Breen said, “but we are hoping players will really love all the changes and new additions we have made.”
Rocket League was first released in 2015 and has featured countless updates since, including the addition of new modes that take a step away from its football-based roots.
It’s done ice hockey, basketball, and even American football, but Knockout Bash is the first time Psyonix has stepped away from sports altogether by not including any ball or goals.
In our 9/10 review, IGN said: “Rocket League is an energetic mashing of arcade driving and sports, with a sky-high skill ceiling and endless personality.”
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelancer who occasionally remembers to tweet @thelastdinsdale. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.
