Rev your engines and buckle up tight: a brand-new Rocket League Event is coming to town. Drive Days is our biggest car-stravaganza of all time, and you can even earn the new Redline Car for FREE by completing in-game challenges! But that's not all—browse a full lineup of cars in the Item Shop’s Car Show tab. With a wide collection of vehicles on display, it’s the perfect time to pick up a crossover SUV, track-ready speedster, or maybe even your next main.

Come on down to Drive Days from April 26 to May 10!



Lookin’ for something new? You’ve come to the right place. Players who complete Drive Days Challenges will be rewarded with the Redline Car (Breakout Hitbox). You’ll also unlock Items like the Spacerocker and Buffstuff Wheels, plus a couple of decals to customize your Redline.

Throughout the Event, players can also earn up to five Golden Toolkits that unlock Items from the Nitro, Impact, and Accelerator Item Series’. Golden Toolkits work the same way as previous Golden rewards⁠—complete the Challenge up to five times to earn Golden Toolkits, then open them in your Inventory to unlock items!



Step right up, and don’t be shy. We’ve got dozens of Cars waiting to come home to your Garage! Painted cars? Got ‘em. Titanium White, Black, Forest Green—we even have some Gold cars in the back! The first lineup of cars will arrive in the Item Shop on April 26 as part of the Car Show tab, but the fun doesn’t end there. On May 3, we’ll release a whole new lineup of cars, so don’t miss out!



With new cars comes new inspiration, and that’s where the Rocket League Drive Days Community Contest comes in! For this fanart contest, we’re seeking artwork based on the many cars of Drive Days! Whether you wanna see Twinzer in space, sculpt a wild 3D Peregrine TT, or paint a sick Diestro mural, all art is welcome.

And what about those fabulous prizes? Four winners will be chosen to receive a contest-exclusive Player Title and Avatar Border, plus a code for Rocket Pass Premium!

Players can submit their art by posting it to the Drive Days Contest channel within the Rocket League Discord with the hashtag #DriveDaysContest.

View the complete rules HERE.

• Fanart must be of a car featured in the Drive Days Car Show tab
  
  • We’ll be excluding Octane, Fennec, and Dominus from this competition to let other vehicles shine
• Add the hashtag #DriveDaysContest when you submit in the#drive-days-contest Discord channel.

• May 10: Deadline to submit by 10:00 a.m. PDT
  
• May 17: Winners will be announced!

From April 26 to May 3, players can chase the heat in Heatseeker! In this LTM, the ball only needs a slight tap before it begins homing in on your opponent's goal. Since the goals are quick and defense is difficult, this Mode is won by whichever team can reach seven goals first.

Next players can jump into Spike Rush from May 3 to May 10. This pointed mode gives players a neverending Spikes power-up. Drive into the ball to stick it, then dodge to launch the ball forward! A bit of warning: whoever carries the ball can’t boost, and they’ll quickly become a juicy target for demolition.

Ready to find your ride? Drive Days is in town from April 26 to May 10!

Welcome to the underground world of Neo Tokyo: Aftermarket. While most of the population lives comfortably with their daily drivers, the car culture of Neo Tokyo has always craved something a bit more bold.

Custom is king in this neighborhood, and many local tuner shops have designed their own Decal Packs for Dingo, Breakout, Fennec, Dominus, and Octane. With exotic materials and eye-catching artwork, these Items can transform your ride into the drift car of your dreams.

These streets are yours, now go and take them. Neo Tokyo: Aftermarket will take place from March 20 to April 3!




Building your perfect ride takes time, but Neo Tokyo has something for everyone… IF you know where to look. New Item Packs will hit the Aftermarket Item Shop Tab every two days, with the Fennec Tokyo Decal Pack leading the charge on March 20.

Many of these new Items are inspired by the sights and signage of Neo Tokyo itself. Dig into the Bob’s Ramen Fennec Decal, or show love to our favorite long-eared DJ with the Buffy-Sugo Dingo Decal! Octane, Fennec, and Breakout will turn heads with their new neon-lit Huntress versions of the MG-88, Nitty-Gritty, and Turbo Decals, while Dominus welcomes the dark mode Shinjuku Decal.

A few Packs also come with new Megafrost and Ultraheat Decals. These shiny wraps give a color-shifting, metallic feel that morphs depending on which angle you see it. You’ll also be able to pair these flashy Decals with new Multichrome, Radiant, and Infinite Items!

Got your eye on something specific? Many of these Items will be rotating through the Featured Shop for individual purchase.

Not everything needs to be a Pack, and these Items stand alone. The Neo-Viral Jäger 619 Decal mixes dark and bright designs, while the Danpa Masamune Decal features an animated “Dance Party” ticker and octogirl graphic. For the finishing touch, add a powerful pop of color with the Ultralex: Radiant or OEM: Infinite Wheels!

• Bob’s Ramen Decal
  
• Neo-LL37 Decal
  
• Nitty-Gritty Huntress Decal
  
• Shinjuku Decal

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• Flutterby: Multichrome Universal Decal
  
• Hanasha JRL: Multichrome Wheels
  
• Pixelated Shades: Multichrome Topper

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• Megafrost Decal
  
• Neo-Star Decal
  
• Shinjuku Decal

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• Buffy-Sugo Decal
  
• Figurator Huntress Decal
  
• Neo-Ghost Decal
  
• Ultraheat Decal

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• Hakkaa Decal
  
• MG-88 Huntress Decal
  
• Ultraheat Decal

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• Megafrost Decal
  
• Turbo Huntress Decal

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• March 20 - 21 & March 30 - 31: OEM: Infinite Wheels (700 Credits)
  
• March 28 - 29: Ultralex: Radiant Wheels (700 Credits)
  
• March 30 - 31: Neo-Viral Jäger 619 Decal (300 Credits)
  
• March 30 - 31: Danpa Masamune Decal (300 Credits)

Now you have the style, but do you have the skills? Throughout Neo Tokyo: Aftermarket, players can pit themselves against two Limited Time Modes! Oh, and you’ll be earning big points while you play. 2XP will be in effect from March 20 to April 3, offering double XP in all Online Matches!

First up is Boomer Ball from March 20 to March 27! With increased Ball Speed and Bounciness, this 3v3 LTM requires lightning-quick reflexes. Players will also get a faster Boost so they can keep up with the Rocket Ball!

Next up is Beach Ball! This sun-drenched LTM uses regular 2v2 rules, but with a twist—the Rocket Ball curves when you hit it! Use the lighter ball to your advantage and try to aim around your unsuspecting opponents. Play Beach Ball from March 27 to April 1.

These parts won't be in stock forever, so grab them while you can! Neo Tokyo: Aftermarket Decal Packs will be available in the Item Shop until April 3.

Platforms: Epic Games Store, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Steam, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S

Scheduled Release: 3/8/2023, 8 a.m. PST / 4 p.m. UTC

• Season 10 Rocket Pass, featuring the Volkswagen Golf GTI, has begun
  
• The new Arena ‘Deadeye Canyon (Oasis)’ is live in Online Playlists, Private Matches, Exhibition Matches, and Free Play
  
• Season 9 Rewards are dropping for all eligible players

• Season 10 Rocket Pass, featuring the Volkswagen Golf GTI, has begun
  
  • The Volkswagen Golf GTI uses the Octane hitbox

• Season 10 Tournaments are now available
  
• Any unspent Season 9 Tournament Credits automatically convert into rewards
  
  • Tournament Credits have converted to the highest level reward you are capable of earning based on your Tournament Rank and the amount of Tournament Credits you have remaining
    
  • Every player who played in at least one tournament this season will receive one All-Star cup
• New Tournament Reward items have been added

• Season 10 Stage 1 Challenges are live

• Season 10 Competitive has started
  
• Season 10 Changes
  
  • Similar to previous seasons, a soft reset has been applied to all Competitive Playlists

• The new Arena ‘Deadeye Canyon (Oasis)’ is now available

• Season 9 Reward Items and Titles will be awarded according to your highest Rank achieved during the season, and successful completion of the appropriate Season Reward Levels.
  
• Season 9 Rewards are non-tradable Wheels
  
  • Bronze I or higher: ‘S9 – Bronze’ Wheel
    
  • Silver I or higher: ‘S9 – Silver’ Wheels + lower rewards
    
  • Gold I or higher: ‘S9 – Gold’ Wheels + lower rewards
    
  • Platinum I or higher: ‘S9 – Platinum’ Wheels + lower rewards
    
  • Diamond I or higher: ‘S9 – Diamond’ Wheels + lower rewards
    
  • Champion I or higher: ‘S9 – Champion’ Wheels + lower rewards
    
  • Grand Champion I: ‘S9 – Grand Champion’ Wheels + lower rewards
    
  • Supersonic Legend: ‘S9 – Supersonic Legend’ Wheels + lower rewards
• Grand Champion Titles (in Crimson text)
  
  • Competitive Grand Champion: ‘S9 GRAND CHAMPION’
    
  • Rumble Grand Champion: ‘S9 RNG CHAMP’
    
  • Hoops Grand Champion: ‘S9 DUNK MASTER’
    
  • Snow Day Grand Champion: ‘S9 BLIZZARD WIZARD’
    
  • Dropshot Grand Champion: ‘S9 FLOOR DESTROYER’
• Supersonic Legend Titles (in Titanium White text)
  
  • Competitive Supersonic Legend: ‘S9 SUPERSONIC LEGEND’
    
  • Rumble Supersonic Legend: ‘S9 RNGENIUS’
    
  • Hoops Supersonic Legend: ‘S9 LEGENDARY BALLER’
    
  • Snow Day Supersonic Legend: ‘S9 ICE TITAN’
    
  • Dropshot Supersonic Legend: ‘S9 TILE ANNIHILATOR’

For a complete list of known issues in Rocket League, go here

Version: Rocket League v2.26

Platforms: Epic Games Store, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Steam, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S

Scheduled Release: 3/7/2023, 4 p.m. PST / 3/8/2023, 12 a.m. UTC

• v2.26 prepares Rocket League for Season 10. Additional patch notes will be posted when Season 10 begins on 3/8/2023, 8 a.m. PST / 4 p.m. UTC

Average Wait Time (Matchmaking)

• An “Average Wait Time” counter has been added to the matchmaking search screen
  
  • Average Wait Time is based on the player population of the Regions and Playlists you select, and your Rank or skill level in those playlists
• Time is displayed in minutes and seconds
  
  • Example: “Average Wait Time: 1:15”
    
  • In the unlikely event that the wait time is longer than 10 minutes, the message changes to “Average Wait Time: > 10 Minutes”
• For brand new Game Modes, LTMs, or Playlists with no Rank or skill history, the Average Wait Time counter may be hidden for a short period of time.
  
• The Playlist Population meme generator indicator has been removed from the top-right corner of the Casual, Competitive, and Extra Modes menus

• Fixed cosmetic bugs:
  
  • Huntress Decal for Dingo
    
  • Blockparty Decal on Painted Car Bodies
    
  • Titanium White Standard Boost
    
  • Animated Decals on painted variants of Hotshot Body
• Fixed a bug causing Special Edition Infinite Yankii RL wheels to appear as normal Yankii RL wheels
  
• [Xbox] Fixed a bug causing the first character to disappear when using the Xbox virtual keyboard to enter a team name
  
• [PS] Unable to purchase credits after browsing contents for more than 10 minutes
  
• [PC] Fixed a stability bug causing a crash on game exit
  
• Fixed a bug causing incorrect camera and car placement when rapidly navigating shots in Custom Training

For a complete list of known issues in Rocket League, go here

Lost long ago in the shifting sands of Deadeye Canyon sat a secret treasure, undisturbed by th
e passing of time… until recently. Shocked explorers stumbled upon this unspoiled sanctuary, marveling at this time capsule of exotic wildlife and botanical wonders. Woken by an ancient spell, it appears the desert's heart has begun to beat once more.

Season 10 invites you to shift into neutral while you rest, relax, and collect a bounty of Items! Enjoy a peaceful Rocket Pass, explore a new Oasis Arena Variant, and take the legendary Volkswagen Golf II GTI for a spin.

Season 10 starts Wednesday, March 8!



A plentiful harvest has sprouted in the desert, and the top crop this season is the Volkswagen Golf GTI! A beloved classic with timeless popularity, the Golf GTI is brought to life in Rocket League with an Octane Hitbox. The base car is available immediately with Rocket Pass Premium, but players who work their way through the Tiers will also earn the tuned-up Volkswagen Golf GTI RLE! Both cars come with a realistic set of Wheels to complete the look.



Once you’ve settled into your new ride, you’ll need some Items to go along with it!
Cast your roaring engines aside and soothe your weary teammates with the Tranquil and Serenity Engine Audios. However, if you’d rather feed the beast, you can always slide into the primal SpotDot Decal.

For players who keep everything in perfect balance, the realistic Whip Antenna is centered on the back of the car instead of the standard side mount. Channel energy into the Lotus Bloom Goal Explosion while you search for serenity, or leave a trail of fireflies behind you with the Glister Trail. Look, I caught one!

With a wide variety of earthy Paint Finishes, colorful Wheels, and Decals inspired by the wonders of nature, the Season 10 Rocket Pass will give you and your friends good vibes all season long.






Deadeye Canyon isn’t looking quite so dead these days. With the sudden proliferation of flora and fauna, our once dusty desert has transformed into Deadeye Canyon (Oasis)!

You’ll likely hear a new tune whistling through the gorge while you explore. That’s oasis by zensei ゼンセ, originally written for the Season 10 Gameplay Trailer up top! Listen to the full in-game track with Rocket League Radio, or pick it up as a Player Anthem a couple hours after the Season starts.



These new Tournament Rewards will soothe your spirit after a tough match. Equip the Scalescore Decal and slither your way to success, or stop for an organic snack with the Ramen Bowl Topper. This season might be all about relaxation, but don't space out too far! Grab hold of the floating Spaceman Antenna to keep your mind tethered whenever you start to drift.

Feelin’ lucky? Roll a critical hit with this Season’s Black Market Rewards, including the eight-sided Polyhedral Goal Explosion.

As this new Season comes to life, your Tournament Credits from Season 9 will reset. Players who participated in Competitive Tournaments during Season 9 will receive an All-Star Cup reward. Unspent Tournament Credits will be converted to the highest level reward a player is eligible to earn based on their Tournament Rank and Tournament Credit amount. This conversion will happen automatically the first time you log into Season 10.



A while back, we changed how playlist population was shown to “Good,” “Great,” or “Amazing.” Many of you felt this wasn't good, great, or amazing, so we’re happy to introduce our new Average Wait Time Counter! From now on, players will be able to see the estimated queue time it will take to find their next match. This timer will be visible in the "Searching for Match" screen after choosing your playlist.

Not seeing your timer? In certain situations, estimated queue times may not be available such as when new Limited Time Modes are released.

Everyone's favorite behind-the-scenes video series is back with another installment! If you’ve ever wondered what goes into recording the Engine Audio you hear in Rocket League, our talented Psyonix audio team is here to show you how it all goes down. The episode drops March 9 on the official Rocket League YouTube Channel!

The regenerative powers of the oasis seem to be spreading beyond the edge of Deadeye Canyon. Garages around the world have reported an influx of cars where there were once barren lots. Hmm. Maybe a few weeks in the Psyonix meditation cavern will enlighten us.

Ready to find your happy place? Season 10 begins Wednesday, March 8!

Join us as Rocket League celebrates Women’s History Month with three FREE Items. But wait, they're not just any Items. Each one was designed by one of the many magical women working at Psyonix! We’re also happy to support two special Rocket League Tournaments: the WIRL $10K Cup March 11–12, and the Ally Women’s Open March 25–26!


Sun Chaser Decal and Purple Moonpaw Wheels

The freebies kick off on March 8 as we release the Pop Punk Octane Decal, illustrated by our very own Concept Art Intern Cameron Unson! This bat, bone, and bubble-filled design pops perfectly off a soft turquoise background. Pictured up top, the girl-power vibes are strong with this one.

Next up is a solar-powered Sun Chaser Dominus Decal created by Graphic Designer Kelly Lobascio! With high-contrast colors and bold body lining, this decal tells the story of a mythical wolf pursuing the sun across the sky. In the end, the wolf chases away the day, plunging the world into an inky night. Pick this one up for free in the Item Shop starting March 15.

Grab an animated set of Purple Moonpaw Wheels for our final drop, courtesy of Senior 3D Artist Lindsey Gunsallus! We previously released the original Wheels for 2021’s Women’s History Month in a different color, but this time they’ve been rebuilt from magic pine needles and moonlight. Equip them starting March 22, and you’ll be leading the pack in no time.

• March 8 - Pop Punk Octane Decal
  
• March 15 - Sun Chaser Dominus Decal
  
• March 22 - Purple Moonpaw Wheels

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Looking for a couple of tunes to go along with your new Items? Check out three new tracks from some of Monstercat's female artists! "Golden" by ORACLE x Nina Carr, "Fire In Your Eyes" by LissA x Lane Boy, and "Get Through" by Koven. Listen to the tracks with Rocket League Radio or Monstercat’s Spotify Playlist!



Created in partnership with Ally and Raidiant, the Ally Women’s Open is an online tournament meant to support the women’s Rocket League community and showcase some of the best players in the game.

The tournament begins on March 25 with Open Qualifiers in the NA and EU regions. Then on March 26, a top eight single-elimination Playoff Bracket will be streamed live. In the end, only one team from each region will be crowned the victor!

Sign-ups for the tournament will take place from March 1 to 18. The final day of the Ally Women’s Open tournament will be broadcast on the official Rocket League Twitch Channel beginning at 8 a.m. PDT.

• Sign-Ups | March 1 - March 18 at 11:59 p.m. PDT (March 19 at 6:59 a.m. UTC)
  
• Open Qualifiers | March 25
  
• Playoffs | March 26 at 8 a.m. PDT (3 p.m. UTC)

• 1st Place: $6,000 per team
  
• 2nd Place: $3,600 per team
  
• 3rd Place: $2,400 per team
  
• 4th Place: $2,000 per team
  
• 5th Place: $1,500 per team
  
• 6th Place: $1,500 per team
  
• 7th Place: $1,500 per team
  
• 8th Place: $1,500 per team

One tournament isn’t nearly enough, so we’re happy to announce Rocket League streamer Widow will be hosting the WIRL $10K Cup on her Twitch Channel! This double-elimination tournament will pit 12 teams against each other in games of Rumble, Snowday, Dropshot, and Rumble Dropshot. Each team will be led by a seasoned pro player, with two creators filling out each roster. Keep an eye on Widow’s Twitter page to see which of your favorite players will be there!

• Day 1 Event | March 11: 10 a.m. PST (6 p.m. UTC)
  
• Day 2 and Finals | March 12: 10 a.m. PDT (5 p.m. UTC)

Tune into the Women's History Month celebrations all month long, and don't forget to claim your free items beginning March 8 through April 4!

With their long history of success in international football, AC Milan has brought countless trophies home to Italy. Their iconic red and black colors unite the over 550 million Rossoneri fans around the world and are a synonym of style and elegance, making AC Milan one of the most recognizable and respected brands in the global sports industry.

Now, those iconic colors have been reimagined in a set of pixel art–inspired jerseys. In collaboration with PUMA and KOCHÉ, AC Milan’s newest Kit will come to life in the Rocket League Arena on March 8!



Not happy to simply rest on the laurels of their 100+ year history, AC Milan keeps their sight focused steadfastly toward the future. This new Fourth kit represents that mindset perfectly with a marriage between pioneering sports fashion and loyalty to the football club’s heritage. The design itself was created in collaboration with AC Milan’s official sponsor PUMA and Paris-based fashion label KOCHÉ.

In Rocket League, the famous red and black finds its way onto the AC Milan (PUMA x KOCHÉ) Octane and Dominus Decals. Finishing the look is a set of AC Milan (PUMA x KOCHÉ) Wheels, which prominently feature the heraldry of AC Milan. The Metallic emblem pays homage once again to the IRL kit, matching its resplendent accent colors and the glint of gold. Each item will also be available for individual purchase for the hitbox purists out there!

• AC Milan (PUMA x KOCHÉ) Octane Decal
  
• AC Milan (PUMA x KOCHÉ) Dominus Decal
  
• AC Milan (PUMA x KOCHÉ) Wheels

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Get the AC Milan x PUMA x KOCHÉ bundle in the Item Shop from March 8 to March 21!

Rocket League’s celebration of Black History Month continues! Earlier this month, we released two FREE Item bundles featuring the work of accomplished Black artists—the Sunniya by Geneva Bowers Bundle and the Parallel by Taj Francis Bundle. Now, we introduce our final featured artist of the month Anthony Azekwoh! Anthony is a multidisciplinary Nigerian artist whose work is featured on the samurai-inspired Yasuke Decal, Avatar Border, and Player Banner.

Missed the first two drops? Not to worry. All three Bundles will be available in the Item Shop via the in-game Black History Month Tab until February 28.

• Yasuke Decal
  
• Yasuke Avatar Border
  
• Yasuke Player Banner

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Anthony Azekwoh is an artist whose work cannot be restrained by genre. As a growing fixture in Nigeria’s art world, he explores facets of digital painting, 3D sculpture, poetry, and short stories. Throughout it all is Anthony’s approach toward human narrative, giving each work an abstract yet profound sense of emotion. Many of his works appear to break the fourth wall with their stare, accepting and acknowledging their viewer’s presence. During our collaboration, we got together and asked Anthony a few questions about his artwork, video games, and the experiences that fuel him.

Q. In a couple of sentences, could you walk us through your journey and how you grew a career in the art industry?
A. Sure, I started painting digitally seven years ago here in Lagos, Nigeria. At the time, all I had was a mouse and a beaten-up laptop, but I was really passionate about it, and I made it work. Painting after painting, year after year, I got better at my work and people started to pay attention.

Q. Who has served as an inspiration in your life? And how did they inspire you?
A. Artists like Duro Arts, Sam Spratt, and Duks Arts are some of the artists I've loved and admired. They inspired me by their work in the digital world, creating whole worlds for people to participate in.

Q. Is there anything you wish that more people knew about your art?
A. Right now, I wish more people saw the process and how much work and love I put in, so I'm trying to be more open with my process.


The Blue Boy, The Tomorrow Woman, and The Traveller by Anthony Azekwoh

Q. Your Rocket League Decal features Yasuke, a historical black samurai from the Sengoku Period in Japan. Could you tell us more about why his story connects with you?
A. Yasuke was a very interesting one. It was at a point where I was reading and learning and trying to discover more about Africans and where we came from, and so Yasuke was an incredible find! Here he was, an African samurai, the first in recorded history. It was amazing to see and also paint in my whole visual language.

Q. You’ve recently been working much more in digital sculpture. Do you feel that you’re able to express yourself differently in different mediums?
A. Yes, of course. I try to use the medium to describe things that are great for that particular story. So, some things work better in different mediums and I try to respect that.

Q. Throughout the years, you’ve worked in many different directions. What are you currently exploring with your art?
A. Right now, I'm exploring sculptures and storytelling, trying to really pull at the threads of my own interest.


Artist Anthony Azekwoh

Q. Different people gravitate towards different types of games. Is there a genre of game that you find really speaks to you?
A. Oh, I love open world games, they've always had my heart.

Q. What do you think about video games as an interactive art form?
A. I think they're a great way of interacting. I've recently gotten into Apex Legends, and it's brought me a bit closer to my friends and being part of a community.

Q. What impact do you want your art to have on the world?
A. I want people to have a deeper understanding of people who live and breathe outside their sphere of contact. My work is deeply African, pulling from being born and raised here. I want people to feel that culture, that power, that love. And be awed.

We hope you enjoy Anthony’s artwork in Rocket League. Make sure to check out his Instagram and Shop, as well as his in-game Bundle!

Rocket League is honoring Black History Month by dropping FREE Artist Bundles in the Item Shop! This week, we see the vibrantly smooth artwork of Taj Francis, a Jamaican-born artist who we’ve collaborated with to create the matching Parallel Decal, Avatar Border, and Player Banner. Get the FREE Parallel by Taj Francis Bundle in the Item Shop via the in-game Black History Month Tab from now until February 28. Don’t forget we've also got one final Bundle drop coming soon!

• Parallel Decal
  
• Parallel Avatar Border
  
• Parallel Player Banner

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One of the first things to note about Taj Francis is his expansive breadth of work. From design to animation, clothing, and public works, Taj uses a variety of mediums to explore anachronistic ideas of African ancestry.

Many of his artworks tell part of a larger story, and a subtle but strong sense of world-building permeates his work. Nature and technology also feature heavily in his explorations, serving to inspire deeper introspection when the two are combined. We found time during our collaboration to ask Taj a few questions about his art, video games, and his life as an artist.

Q. Could you walk us through your journey and how you cultivated a place in the art industry?
A. The first "job" I ever had in the art industry was when I interned at my uncle's design studio for a short stint before going to art school. He's the one that encouraged me on this path honestly, so while in school, and after graduating, I cut my teeth on doing posters for reggae bands, making a clothing brand, and miscellaneous projects here and there. It really helped me to work out my own artistic style and focus on the type of work I wanted to create. With that, I got into doing exhibitions, mural art, and other projects for different companies.


Azimuth, Offering, and Sun Engine. Part of the "Gilded Suns" series by Taj Francis

Q. Your art transcends the canvas, and you’ve created many larger pieces like murals. What kind of energy do you bring to your art for each different medium?
A. I've learned many things working in different mediums, and I'm still constantly learning. The things I learned doing acrylics, and digital paintings, I've applied to my mural work and vice versa. Working on large-scale murals comes with a level of planning that isn't typical for other types of work, but there is also a social aspect to it. People are seeing you create in real-time, which isn't normally the case when working in a studio, around other artists, or by yourself. It almost becomes like a performance piece in itself, so I think about the "audience" a little more than I would when painting on my own. It does feel like more pressure, but I learn from it and remember to adapt.

Q. A lot of your work touches on black ancestry and history. Is this an overall message you feel your art explores or is each piece of art its own individual statement?
A. Everything is a part of an overall message. I think there is so much to still say when it comes to works of black heritage and stories. There are so many stories to be told from even African and Black history, that popular media hasn't even scratched the surface of. So much lore, so much wonder that people wouldn't believe. I want to do my part in that, in giving the world more visuals, and stories that reflect a history that we haven't seen told. Unfortunately, a large part of our history is damaged due to colonialism, but I feel that even in a fictional sense, if we could tap into our histories and combine them with our imaginations, we could create something inspirational. We could see a world that has never been seen.

Q. Is there a part of your artistic process that you enjoy the most?
A. This might sound counter to the question, but the moment I love the most is when I decide that it's done. Sometimes an artwork is never really finished until you decide it is, and it's just the best moment for me. This is because you let go of the doubt, and you trust everything that you did up to that point. It's no longer in your hands. There is a joy at this moment that is incomparable to anything else during the whole process for me, and it's only possible because of everything that proceeds it. It's a feeling that can only be gained through actual time, work, and effort and I cherish that feeling so much.


Artist Taj Francis

Q. Different people gravitate towards different types of games. Is there a genre of game that you find really speaks to you?
A. Wow, it's very hard to pick. I grew up playing a lot of multiplayer games—it was one of the ways I've bonded with my brothers, so it has a strong place in my heart. But I also love single-player games. There is a solitude that I love from them. Honestly, I think more than a specific genre, I love games that combine the two in some ways. I've gotten a lot into soulslike games (I may or may not have spent the pandemic playing a lot of Fromsoft’s catalog) like "Bloodborne" and "Elden Ring", that are single-player but have an element of multiplayer with messages left from other players or even the ability to call for help. Especially "Death Stranding" that has asynchronous multiplayer, where other players leave helpful messages and tools, it fulfills that feeling of solitude, while also remembering you're not alone. Even so, nothing beats a good laugh playing multiplayer games, Rocket League gave me some of the best laughs even while losing miserably.

Q. What do you think about video games as an interactive art form?
A. I think games like "Journey" and "Inside" are some of the best pieces of art, in general and not just as a video game. There is a feeling you get from video games that you can't get from anything else, it's an irreplaceable medium. A large part of being a human, and being a person is enjoying life, touching it, and interacting with it. Video games give you a method of directly interacting with your own enjoyment, versus more passive engagement. If we think about books, sports, solving puzzles, these are things in line with our need to interact with and participate in our own enjoyment, games fall in line with these things. We enjoy art right, so why not also be an active participant in that enjoyment?

We hope you enjoy Taj’s artwork in Rocket League! Make sure to check out his Instagram and Shop. Stay tuned for more—we have another free Item Bundle coming soon!

Huddle up, team—it’s time to go over this year's Super Bowl LVII game plan. Join the action as we welcome back the NFL Fan Pack, which offers up NFL Team Decals and matching Items for 32 teams! The Gridiron LTM is back on the schedule, while the NFL Super Bowl LVII Pack offers up a whole new set of Items. This season also brings out some top talent, with NFL Player Decals for Boston Scott, Cam Jordan, and Mecole Hardman Jr.

It all starts today. Now… break!



Whether you’re throwing bombs down the field or going for a full-team blitz, Gridiron is the perfect way to harness your Super Bowl spirit!

Just like in the past, you’ll be able to grab the ol’ pigskin by touching it, or throw the ball by dodging. Score 3 points by throwing a field goal, or try carrying it into the goal for a 7-point touchdown! Remember: demos are the best friend of any defensive line.

Ahead of The Big Game we’re releasing the NFL Super Bowl LVII Pack! Fans of Thursday Night Football will instantly recognize the famous NFL Game Theme Player Anthem. Unleash a flood of footballs with the colorful Super Bowl LVII Goal Explosion, or take Rule 1 violators to task in an NFL Referee Decal.

• NFL Referee Decal
  
• NFL Game Theme Player Anthem
  
• Super Bowl LVII Goal Explosion

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• Also available for individual purchase

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Playing as your favorite team is fun, but entering the Arena as one of your favorite players is next level!

With two Super Bowl contenders in the mix, the NFL Player Decals Bundle offers some unique player-inspired looks. Philadelphia’s Boston Scott comes in with the Giant Killer Decal, Kansas City’s Mecole Hardman Jr. with his The Jet Decal, while New Orleans’ Cam Jordan brings the Levelz Me Decal.

Each player’s signature Decal comes with sick, animated effects that were carefully designed to boost team spirit. It’s science!

• Levelz Me Decal (Cam Jordan)
  
• Giant Killer Decal (Boston Scott)
  
• The Jet Decal (Mecole Hardman Jr.)

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If you missed it last year, the NFL Fan Pack is your ticket to total football immersion. Suit up alongside your favorite teams on game day, or show off your dedication 24/7! Each NFL Team Decal comes in Octane, Dominus, Fennec, and Breakout varieties, with matching Antennas, Toppers, and Player Banners to complete the look.

• 32 NFL Team Decals
  
• 32 NFL Team Antennas
  
• 32 NFL Team Player Banners
  
• 32 NFL Team Helmet Toppers

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Ready for the tailgate? Get the NFL Item Bundles and play Gridiron from now until February 14!