Rocket League, the popular vehicular soccer video game, is currently dealing with player outrage after announcing the impending removal of player-to-player item trading. Fans have expressed their discontent through social media posts and online petitions. The feature is set to be discontinued on December 5, though previous trades won’t be affected.
In a statement released on October 10, Rocket League revealed its plans to terminate player-to-player item trading. The decision is aimed at aligning with Epic Games’ approach to game cosmetics and item shop policies, where in-game items are not tradable, transferrable, or sellable. This change is expected to facilitate future plans for Rocket League vehicles to appear in other Epic games, promoting cross-game ownership.
Up to this point, players have enjoyed the ability to trade various in-game items, including Bonus Gifts and post-game drops. However, specific conditions must be met, such as reaching level 30 in the game and, for players who joined after the free-to-play update, purchasing at least 500 Credits (in-game currency) with real money. This move to revoke trading privileges has sparked frustration among Rocket League’s dedicated community.
On Twitter, players like @ItsSlumpii have directly appealed to Epic Games’ CEO, Tim Sweeney, urging a reconsideration of this decision. The player emphasizes that trading is a fundamental feature cherished by the community, and its removal has been met with widespread disapproval. Many players view this move as a culmination of their dissatisfaction with the lack of substantial game updates in recent years.
Online petitions have also emerged on platforms like Change.org. The largest petition, initiated by a user known as Nick Wallgren, has garnered over 4,500 signatures since its inception. Wallgren describes the removal of trading as a “disgrace” and insists that the Rocket League team reevaluates this decision urgently.
