Over the last few years, Rocket League has been one of the most popular esports titles. Having amassed a significant following since its release in July 2015, Forbes believes that the vehicular soccer game is poised to be the next major title in competitive gaming. Crucially, there are many reasons behind the title’s unprecedented success. That said, Rocket League’s cross-platform compatibility and multi-console accessibility have undoubtedly played a pivotal role in its recent development.
Because of that, on an esports level, the title has since become associated with world-renowned names in both mainstream entertainment and sport. As well as being a sponsor for pay-per-view WWE events, Rocket League has also peaked the interests of Champions League-winning footballer, David Beckham. So, let’s take a look at the 45-year-old’s plans for competitive Rocket League.
Who Are Beckham’s Team?
According to a report by Front Office Sports, the recently-created team is co-owned by Beckham, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid winger. Although new to competitive gaming, the organization looks set to explore some of the sector’s most popular titles, such as FIFA, Fortnite, and Rocket League. From a general standpoint, Beckham’s involvement in esports is a natural fit. Having spent the bulk of his career playing in football’s most famous competitions, the six-time Premier League winner knows what it takes to succeed.
At the time of writing, Guild Esports are still very much in the development stage as they seek to acquire a team of high-caliber players. To date, Beckham’s organization currently has two players on their roster in the form of Joseph Kidd and Thomas Binkhorst, who both used to represent Team Singularity. During his time at Team Singularity, Kidd was part of the side that beat AS Monaco’s esports team 3-0 in a competitive Rocket League event.
According to their profiles at esports earnings, Beckham’s team has acquired two players with a lot of experience in Rocket League. As of August 26th, 2020, Binkhorst is ranked as the 58th best player in Holland regarding the Psyonix publication. Kidd, on the other hand, is listed at 231st for UK gamers.
What Does This Mean for Competitive Gaming?
Although Guild Esports have yet to achieve anything on a competitive level, Beckham’s involvement, albeit in an ownership capacity, is a testament to Rocket League’s appeal. Despite now being released five years ago, the title continues to grow in popularity. TwitchTracker states that the Psyonix game averages 57,323 viewers on Twitch, the world’s leading live streaming service for video games.
Both in-game and in the mainstream, Rocket League is enjoying a period of expansion. As well as more teams entering the fray, Psyonix’ decision to expand NA and EU to ten teams means that organizations will need to be on form to achieve future success. This, combined with the emergence of well-backed brands, will only ensure that the title retains its relevancy and becomes even more significant to the esports industry in the next decade.
Furthermore, the involvement of Beckham may also be central to expanding the market’s audience base. In recent years, esports has adapted to cater to growing interest, as evident from the rise of esports betting. Having taken the world by storm, several trusted bookmakers now offer in-depth markets on some of the industry’s most popular titles, such as FIFA and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. For example, operators like Betway and bet365 are considered to be two of the best esports betting sites currently on the market, as their extensive offerings are coupled with sign-up bonuses.
A Promising Period for Competitive Rocket League
While it remains to seen whether Beckham’s Guild eSports can hit the heights on the competitive stage, their involvement is unquestionably positive for the sector. Ultimately, this expansion is symbolic of the appeal that Rocket League has been able to generate since its release. As a result, the future is undoubtedly bright for the Psyonix publication.