How much data does Rocket League use?

The future of gaming is in a multiplayer setup – and games such as Rocket League thrive in such cases. However, it remains an online game, and you are guaranteed to spend quite some data on it.

The good news for anyone looking for a multiplayer experience is that Rocket League, and online gaming in general, should not make a significant dent in your broadband allowance. However, it can quickly drain your internet bandwidth if you are not on a Wi-Fi network. Additionally, since it uses a multiplayer setup, it comes with more data bandwidth requirements than an average game – and it helps to keep this in mind.

On average, expect to use 30 to 100 MB per hour on Rocket League gameplay, though you can change some settings to use less or more depending on the bandwidth limits you use.

How much data should I expect to spend on downloading Rocket League?

Note that downloading the initial files will need more bandwidth compared to gameplay or game updates. The file sizes are larger than the download size because of compression, and the file will increase over time as the developer releases updates and patches.

Platform	Data requirements
PlayStation 4	1.45 GB
Microsoft Windows	Less than 7 GB
Mac OS and Linux	Less than 7 GB
Xbox One	14.5 GB
Nintendo Switch	8.3 GB

Since Rocket League requires very high data amounts to install, it is better to use a Wi-Fi or unlimited 4G LTE network connection to install it. If you want to eliminate the data costs you can also opt to purchase the physical disk and install the game offline.

How much data will I use when downloading game updates?

The game developer, Psyonix, occasionally releases updates and patches for the game that you can keep track of through their news blog. The data you will use varies, though extensive updates may require a maximum of 2 GB bandwidth for download and installation.

If using high data amounts is a concern, you can turn off automatic updates and install them manually when you access a Wi-Fi network or have enough data to spare.

How much data should I expect to use during gameplay?

Surprisingly, Rocket League does not need much data when handling gameplay, unlike most multiplayer game setups. It will use an average of 30 to 50 MB per hour when six people play together in a 3v3 arrangement, making its consumption below most online games.

The specific data requirements you need during gameplay will depend on the server tick rates, the number of players in the multiplayer game setup, and the FPS rate (frames per second).

• Server tick rates: This will mainly affect data usage because of the refreshing rates; the higher it is, the more data you use. For instance, a 128-tick server uses more bandwidth compared to a 64-tick server.
• Numbers of players: The more players participating in a game, the more data you must use because your network shares information with their networks. The information varies and can include chat log data and statistics about the players. As a tip, choose a 2v2 setup if you want to avoid using as much data as you would for a 4v4 or 3v3 format.
• FPS: Higher frame rates use more data due to more refreshing of the game, but the advantage is a faster and smoother reaction time on your end. You can adjust the rate in the settings by disabling the V-Synch (vertical synch).

Are there additional factors that may affect data use during gaming?

One culprit of high data use is doing multiple activities while gaming. If you are on a tight limit and want to reduce the data you are spending, it is advisable to turn off any extra activities that demand your bandwidth. Additionally, you can always check your data balance before connecting to the game to know the limits you are using.

Moreover, the time of day you connect to the service can be a factor due to user traffic. The best time for playing is during the day, as evening and night hours can experience high user traffic, slower connections, and more data usage.

Conclusion

Playing Rocket League is enjoyable and can easily take up much of your data if you are not careful. Therefore, if gaming is a passion for you, it is best to invest in installing a Wi-Fi or 4G LTE network due to their high speeds and low chances of throttling.

FAQs

How much data should I expect to use when downloading Rocket League?

Since the game itself is quite heavy on graphics, expect to use a minimum of 4 to 7 GB to download it.

Why does Rocket League demand so much data during gameplay?

Because of its multiplayer structure, as you play among several players simultaneously.