The Epic Activation Bible: Your Complete Guide to Playing Rocket League
Rocket League‘s high-octane fusion of soccer with rocket-powered BattleCars captured lightning in a bottle when it launched in 2015. Amassing over 75 million players as of 2022, Psyonix‘s indie darling became a grassroots sensation that commanded the attention of the most powerful company in gaming – Epic Games. After Epic acquired Psyonix in 2019, Rocket League embarked on a new chapter in 2021 by going free-to-play and unlinking itself from Valve‘s Steam empire.
This transition, while allowing the car soccer phenomenon to reach new horizons, also forced Rocket League‘s substantial 25 million Steam player base to undergo an activation and migration process to carry their progress and unlocked items into this Epic-controlled future. Failure to properly activate and link accounts can tragically leave years of grinding and purchasing in the dust.
As a gamer-turned-games journalist who has religiously played Rocket League since squeaking my way out of Prospect I in 2016, I have witnessed firsthand and studied the trials my fellow players have endured during this activation journey.
Let my 552 hours of in-game experience across PC and PlayStation guide you to arena glory with this exhaustive troubleshooting bible for all activation, account linking, and launch issues. Strap in and engage those boosters – we‘re going for an aerial guide tour through Psyonix‘s new Epic age!
I Already Own Rocket League – What Now?
Rocket League‘s migration begins whether you purchased the game on Steam, PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, or Nintendo Shop. While new players on PC can simply create and activate an Epic Games account to start their Rocket League obsession, legacy players must take steps to carry over their existing inventory and competitive progression.
The key is linking your previous platform‘s account credentials to a new or existing Epic Games account. I will cover this process for all platforms below.
Activating Rocket League for the First Time?
If you fall into the category of being a shockingly new recruit to Rocket League in its current form, congratulations! You have joined at the perfect time as Psyonix continues ushering in a new era highlighted by the long-awaited adoption of Unreal Engine 5 later this year.
Activating Rocket League could not be simpler for new PC and console players:
- Download Rocket League for free on the Epic Games Store or your console‘s digital storefront
- When launching Rocket League for the first time, select Sign In at the title screen
- Create a new Epic Games account or sign in with an existing account
- Follow the on-screen instructions to link your gaming platform with your Epic account
Once linked, your Epic Games account will track all progression, competitive rank, and inventory items moving forward. It also enables the following core features:
- Cross-Progression – Share progress across PC, Playstation, Xbox, and Switch
- Cross-Platform Play – Play with or against players on any platform
- Rocket ID– Add friends via your Epic Games account name
Below I will break down the specific steps to take for linking accounts if you are migrating legacy purchases and data.
Activating Rocket League for PlayStation Players
Sony platforms comprised Rocket League‘s largest player base prior to free-to-play, so millions migrated years of inventory and competitive rankings during this transition.
To activate Rocket League on PlayStation:
- Launch Rocket League and select Sign In
- Sign in to your existing Epic Games account or select Create Account
- Check the box to link your PlayStation Network account
- Enter your PSN sign-in credentials
- Your PSN account will now be linked to your Epic Games account
With an Epic Games account now tethered to your PlayStation progress, you can immediately queue into online matches or analyze your Garage inventory. Note any purchased DLCs or credits from the PlayStation Store will now be usable as well.
Activating Rocket League for Xbox Players
Microsoft platforms represent a significant portion of Rocket League‘s ballooning player base. Luckily, existing Xbox Live members can swiftly transfer their credentials and purchases by:
- Launching Rocket League and navigating to Profile > Linked Accounts
- Select Link an Account
- Choose Xbox Live
- Enter your Xbox Gamertag and password
- Congratulations! Your Xbox account is now activated
Xbox crew, be sure to also check that your Windows Gaming Features are enabled for full cross-play functionality:
- Access Settings > Gaming
- Locate and enable Xbox Networking for Gaming
With your Xbox persona now fused to a fresh or existing Epic identity, your Battle-Car is prepped for new achievements across the unified Rocket League cosmos!
Activating Rocket League for Switch Players
Nintendo‘s signature hybrid handheld/home console amassed an impressive Rocket League community even prior to cross-play. Follow these quick account-linking steps for uninterrupted Switch play:
- From Rocket League‘s main menu, access Options > Link Accounts
- Select Link Nintendo Account
- Input your Nintendo Account credentials when prompted
- Confirm by pressing Okay
Once registration concludes, your Nintendo account will grant access to any Rocket Pass Premium progress, competitive rankings, and cosmetics. Let the Epic Games account be your Battlecar‘s bridge to wondrous cross-play worlds!
Activating Rocket League for Steam Players
Valve and Epic Games competed in a tug-of-war over Rocket League‘s soul following Psyonix‘s acquisition. In the end, Steam lost its grip after enabling countless players to first fall for Rocket League‘s charms.
If you were one of over 25 million Steam Rocketeers, all purchased DLC along with competitive and inventory data can still accompany you on Psyonix‘s new journey via Epic Games Store.
To link your pre-existing Steam version of Rocket League:
- Download the Epic Games Launcher
- Access your account settings via the profile icon
- Select Connections
- Choose Steam under Accounts
- Click Connect, then Sign in through Steam
- Upon redirecting back to the Epic Launcher, check that Steam now displays as Connected
Once synced, launch Rocket League through the Epic Games Launcher and watch years of intricate Battle-Car customization emerge unscathed. Welcome to cross-platform play at long last, Steam soldiers!
I Linked my Account – Why Can‘t I Login?
Don‘t panic if login issues arise even after properly pairing your platform credentials with an Epic Games Account. The usual culprits include:
- For PlayStation and Xbox players, verify your console privacy settings aren‘t blocking Epic Games login
- Double check your Epic Games Account region matches the region of your gaming platform
- Log out then back in via your linked platform from Rocket League‘s Linked Accounts menu
- Fully restart your console or PC to refresh network issues
- Ensure Rocket League is updated to the latest version on all platforms
- If problems persist, unlink then re-link your gaming accounts from within Rocket League
Review the official Rocket League Account Linking FAQ for additional troubleshooting tips.
Dealing with Epic Games Launcher Issues
As Rocket League bidding Steam adieu means PC players must utilize the Epic Games Launcher, grievances with Epic‘s fledgling client were perhaps inevitable during this transitional period.
Based on widespread community complaints, I have assembled this brief troubleshooting manual for the most disruptive Epic Games Launcher issues:
Epic Games Launcher failing to open Rocket League on PC
- Close background processes hogging resources via Task Manager
- Update graphics card drivers and Windows to latest stable versions
- Change the Launcher‘s compatibility to Windows 8 or 10 mode
- Add RocketLeague.exe as an exception within antivirus/firewall software
Rocket League crashing on launch in Epic Games Launcher
- Access Rocket League‘s Properties > Verify integrity of game files
- Perform clean reinstall of both Rocket League and the Epic Games Launcher
- Launch directly from RocketLeague.exe as an administrator
Rocket League bouncing between Running and Closed status
- Navigate to %temp% folder and delete any residual Rocket League files
- Perform clean driver install using Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU)
- Adjust CPU processor priority to High within Task Manager
While early growing pains were expected as Epic Onlines Services supplanted Steamworks Infrastructure, the dev team is working diligently on optimizations.
Remember – should pesky technical issues arise; fight them alongside friends for moral support! Rocket League‘s greatest thrill remains teaming up across platforms with fellow Epic Games members.
Now let‘s get prepped for an exhilarating look at what awaits following activation…
Rocket League‘s Exciting Epic-Controlled Future
Beyond the software migration drama, Rocket League‘s vibrant esports ecosystem and creative fan culture will undoubtedly thrive under Epic Games‘ stewardship.
CEO Tim Sweeney stated that their acquisition has provided Psyonix with ample resources to "grow Rocket League in ways we couldn‘t do on our own before." As evidence, consider the sweeping changes since 2019:
- Transition to free-to-play expanded the player base beyond 75 million
- Ambitious Season roadmaps adding new competitive modes and arena designs
- Next-generation visual enhancements teased with the move to Unreal Engine 5
- Continued support for the hugely popular Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS)
- Maintaining all previously-licensed IPs and partnerships long-term
Epic even incorporated Rocket League assets into their global phenomenon Fortnite via Battle Bus designs, custom skins, and the iconic LlamaBall tournament mode!
Provided the account migration process stays smoothly on track, I foresee incredible new chapters ahead as Psyonix leverages Epic‘s empire to further cement Rocket League as this generation‘s leading sports hybrid.
The road was undoubtedly bumpy for some existing players to enable total cross-platform unity – but beyond the technical turbulence lies vibrant new competitive horizons.
So spark those boosters; embrace Epic Games as Rocket League‘s new multi-platform home; and take your loyalty, legacy items, and well-honed skills to dazzling new heights! GAME ON!
In Conclusion…
I hope this definitive, Epic-sponsored activation bible has sufficiently equipped you to carry your cherished Battle-Cars onwards into Rocket League‘s combines PC and console cosmos!
Are you a freshly enrolled cadet itching to first contact? Follow the new account creation steps above!
Or perhaps a weathered veteran frustrated by login woes? Peruse the troubleshooting hacks in this guide for the remedy!
Wherever you fall on this spectrum, take comfort that Psyonix continues striving to smooth out account migration bumps. Join the community spaces for camaraderie and tips if obstacles remain.
Now tap into those legacy skills, acquire formidable new tricks across platforms, and showcase your dedication as we rocket onwards into an exciting Epic Games-helmed future!
Author: Gibbs
Platform: PS5 Diamond III Division IV
Let the searing blues and sizzling oranges of painted Polygonal boost trails between Battle-Cars hypnotize you onto our unified playing field!
