On May 1, 2019, Psyonix announced that it had agreed to join Epic Games, the company behind Fortnite and the Epic Games Store. Psyonix said Rocket League’s gameplay would not change in the short term, updates would continue, and existing Steam owners could keep playing and receive support. The announcement described a planned Epic Games Store release as a longer-term expectation; it did not announce an immediate move off Steam.
What did Psyonix announce?
Psyonix published “Psyonix is Joining the Epic Family!” on May 1, 2019. It said the studio had agreed to join Epic Games, subject to customary closing conditions. The announcement did not give a purchase price or detailed transaction terms.
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Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Amazon Exclusive Edition - PlayStation 5 | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Fast & Furious: Arcade Edition - PlayStation 5 | $29.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Riders Republic PlayStation 5 Standard Edition | $25.95 | Buy on Amazon |
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Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged - PlayStation 5 | $23.97 | Buy on Amazon |
Psyonix expected the transaction to close near the end of May to early June 2019. That was a forecast made at announcement time, not confirmation of the final closing date.
What did the announcement mean for Rocket League players?
Gameplay and updates
Psyonix told players, “In the short term, nothing will change at all!” It also answered its announcement-time question about different gameplay with “Nope!” The company said it would continue updating Rocket League. These were Psyonix’s assurances in May 2019, not a promise that every aspect of the game would remain unchanged indefinitely.
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- READY, SET, WARP! Race across 24 tracks and warp to 15 CrossWorlds with Travel Rings, a unique gameplay mechanic that transports the iconic characters from the Sonic and SEGA universes into new dimensions. Use unpredictability to your advantage as you change the landscape of each race!
- RACE WITH THE BEST! Choose from 23 iconic Sonic characters, the largest roster of any Sonic racing game!
- MAKE IT YOURS: Mix and match between 45 unique original vehicles and 70 different gadgets to trick out your ride, level up your kart, and create the ultimate machine to match your racing style.
- GAIN THE ADVANTAGE WITH POWERFUL ITEMS! Dominate your opponents with 23 different items including returning favorites and all-new items like the Monster Truck!
- MULTIPLE WAYS TO PLAY: Gather with friends and play local split-screen in Grand Prix and the new party mode Race Park, compete against a community of players from around the world with up to 12 players online in World Match, or test your driving skills in Time Trials.
Steam owners
Psyonix said Rocket League would remain available on Steam and that players who already owned it there could continue playing and look forward to continued support. The announcement did not say that Steam owners had to move to another store.
The Epic Games Store plan
Psyonix described bringing Rocket League to the Epic Games Store as a longer-term expectation. It did not present that plan as an immediate change to gameplay or as a reason existing Steam owners would lose access. This is what the company said in 2019; the announcement alone does not establish the game’s current store availability or support policies.
Rank #2
- High-Speed, Adrenaline-Fueled Arcade Racing - Race across high-intensity tracks in licensed supercars with cinematic style, drifting, nitro boosts, and precision driving that captures the thrill of the original arcade classic.
- The Top Tier Arcade Racer, Brought to Console - Experience the full-throttle thrills of the arcade game at home, now optimized for consoles and with the same explosive action that made the original a fan favorite in arcades.
- Race Iconic Vehicles - Hit the road in 8 legendary cars including the Dodge Charger, Corvette Z06, Shelby GT500 KR, Ford GT, Bronco DR, Jeep Wrangler, and more.
- Customize Your Look, Your Way - Style your ride with custom vehicle color schemes that let you stand out on the track and represent your personality.
- Race Together in Local Multiplayer - Grab a friend and hit the track with 2 players in split-screen local multiplayer, bringing the arcade rivalry home with side-by-side action and nonstop competition.
Why did Psyonix say the acquisition could help?
Psyonix pointed to potential increased reach and resources for both Rocket League and its esports ecosystem. The team wrote that it saw the deal as a way to “significantly increase our potential reach and resources” for esports. That was the company’s rationale, not a measured result or guarantee of future investment.
The Psyonix team also described itself as “the same team that we’ve always been,” with Epic’s power and experience behind it. This reflects the studio’s own characterization in the announcement; it does not independently establish staffing levels or the scale of any investment.
Rank #3
- Battle against over 50 players simultaneously in a massive multiplayer playground.
- Compete in an all-out mass start race—collide, grind, and fight your way to the finish
- Customize your character to show off your style to your friends or show up the competition.
- Bike, ski, snowboard, or wingsuit through a seamless open world in Career mode or multiplayer events.
- Go wild on the heights of iconic US national parks like Yosemite, Zion, and Bryce Canyon.
What was Rocket League’s platform context at the time?
Before the acquisition announcement, Rocket League had announced cross-platform matchmaking. In a January 14, 2019 post, Psyonix said players on PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Steam could randomly matchmake across platforms in online modes. It said cross-platform parties would arrive in a future update at that time. This is useful context for the game’s community in early 2019, but it does not establish current platform support. See “Full Cross-Platform Play Now Live in Rocket League”.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- WE DID IT AGAIN! If you thought the first chapter was awesome, well, buckle up because we are going to blow you away with incredible new features!
- MORE WHEELS FOR YOUR FUN - Make room on your virtual shelf, because you can access more than 130 vehicles and even more varieties! Yes, not only Hot Wheels Originals, but also Hot Wheels Monster Trucks and vehicles from the entertainment world.
- NEW PLACES TO CALL HOME - Whether it's the backyard of a house in the suburbs or a mini-golf course in a village in the Wild West, your tracks will be surrounded by the most stunning environments!
- SHOW OFF YOUR MOVES - Before impressing your opponents with a great victory, leave them speechless with crazy new moves!
- JUST THE WAY YOU LIKE IT - Different game modes for whatever “fun” means to you, off and online.
What the announcement does—and does not—establish
- Established: On May 1, 2019, Psyonix said it had agreed to join Epic Games, subject to customary closing conditions.
- Established: Psyonix’s announcement-time position was that gameplay would not change in the short term, updates would continue, and existing Steam owners could keep playing and receive support.
- Not established by the announcement: A final closing date, purchase price, or detailed transaction terms.
- Not established by the announcement alone: Present-day store availability, platform support, or support policies.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
