Keeping your child safe online is an ever-growing task. Many video games offer online interactions with strangers, in-game purchases, addiction, scammers, and have an age limit if the content is inappropriate.
Rocket League has become a global videogame that combines football with rocket-powered cars. If your child has shown an interest in this game, then this guide will help you understand the game, its community, and any potential concerns you may have.
Understanding Rocket League
- Gameplay- Player’s control rocket-powers cars with the aim to score goals by hitting the football into the opposition’s net.
- Customization- Vehicles can be customized with wheels, decals, toppers, paints, and more to make their car design stand out. This can cause a problem with in-game purchases that we get into more detail shortly.
- Competition Levels- Rocket League allows players to compete in different modes from casual play to highly competitive modes.
- Teamwork- Rocket League is a team-based game that encourages teamwork and cooperation.
The Rocket League Community
- Age Guidance- Rocket League has a rating of PEGI 3 E. This means it is a family friendly game that is suitable for all ages. However, the team at Pro MB Gaming suggest that Rocket League might be too tricky for those under 6 years old. For those under 13, they cannot create an account without parental verification.
- Online Interactions- Rocket League is an online game so your child will interact with other players. We suggest two ways to control it. Either teach them about online etiquette to be respectful, or you can turn off chat settings where they cannot send and receive messages through the in-game chat.
- Encourage Communication- It is important to encourage your child to communicate to you as a parent about who they are playing with and any potential concerns they may have.
Potential Concerns For a Parent
- In-game Purchases- Rocket League is a free-to-play game so they make their money through in-game purchases. These items do not provide an in-game advantage and are purely for cosmetic purposes. To control this, you could not link up a credit card to your child’s game or set spending limits. Items can still be earned through rewards for playing the game.
- Time Management- Applications such as Steam and Epic Games record how long you have spent on the game. This makes it easier to monitor how many hours your child is spending on the game.
- Toxic Behaviour- Toxic players unfortunately appear in most games. Encourage your child to report any inappropriate behaviour and to not engage in these negative interactions. Remember, you can turn off the in-game chat through the game’s settings.
Conclusion
Rocket League is a fun, family-friendly game that encourages teamwork and competition. By understanding the game, its community, and any potential concerns for parents, you can ensure your child has a more positive and safe gaming experience.
