Axel ‘Vatira’ Touret, a prominent figure in the esports scene of Rocket League, has voiced serious concerns regarding persistent issues with bots and DDoS attacks in the game. Vatira, a member of Karmine Corp, previously expressed frustrations about similar problems in November 2025, openly stating that “Rocket League is dead.” These challenges have notably affected the competitive landscape, including qualifications for the Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS).
Impact of Epic Games Layoffs
Recently, Epic Games underwent significant layoffs, affecting around 1,000 employees, including key personnel from Psyonix, the studio behind Rocket League. This restructuring has led to the cancellation of several Epic projects, including the anticipated Rocket Racing spinoff. Vatira warns that Rocket League could face a similar fate if these issues are not addressed.
Concerns About Competitive Play
In a recent social media post, Vatira described the game’s current situation as “dire.” He highlighted the detrimental effects on the esports community, noting that players have resorted to creating Discord servers to play competitively. However, managing these makeshift solutions is challenging and impractical.
- Bots and DDoS attacks are deteriorating match quality.
- Players are frequently disconnected, leading to automatic wins for cheaters.
- Overall player skill levels are reportedly declining.
Vatira expressed frustration over the reduced playtime of competitive players, stating that their gaming hours have been slashed drastically. He urged Epic Games to take immediate action to rectify these ongoing issues, pleading for a solution.
Declining Interest in Rocket League
According to Vatira, viewership for Rocket League is diminishing. Content creators tied to the game are losing audiences and risking their livelihoods. Nevertheless, he believes the game still retains strong interest due to its simplicity and the skill of current professional players.
Psyonix Response to Vatira
In response to Vatira’s comments, Murty Shah, Rocket League product manager at Psyonix and Epic Games, acknowledged the ongoing bot problem and confirmed it is a priority for the developers. He promised forthcoming measures to combat these issues, stating, “We’re actively working to get more anti-botting measures in ASAP, alongside the upcoming release of Easy Anti-Cheat.”
Shah reassured the community that they are monitoring reports and executing ban waves to tackle the bot situation effectively.
Community Skepticism
Despite the response from Psyonix, Vatira remains skeptical about significant improvements. He appreciated Shah’s acknowledgment but pointed out that players have witnessed little progress over the months and years.
The esports landscape continues to thrive, with teams gearing up for the upcoming Rocket League Esports World Cup 2026 tournament. As developments unfold, the community eagerly anticipates whether Epic Games will successfully implement the necessary changes to restore Rocket League’s competitive integrity.
