During a mostly remote semester, UNC students have used an online vehicular soccer game called Rocket League as a way to make friends in times of isolation.
The UNC Rocket League Club is a subdivision of the Carolina Esports club that participates in competitions through the Collegiate Rocket League once a semester.
Alex Ho, the UNC Rocket League Club Officer, said these events are competitive but provide an opportunity for gamers to join as a team and create long-lasting friendships.
Even though the competition is only hosted once per semester, Ho said there are other opportunities for club members to compete — such as weekly competitions.
But competition isn’t the club’s only focus. Ho said his main goal is creating a welcoming and understanding community of various players.
“I think a lot of students hear ‘Esports’ or ‘club’ and think we’re super competitive, which some of us are, but really we’re just a group who likes to hang out and play Rocket League,” he said.
Senior computer science major Will Lancaster said he loved his time as a club member, and he joined to make friends with similar interests. Lancaster said he stayed because he enjoyed getting exposure to a higher level of play from other club members.
As social restrictions are reduced, Ho said the club expanded to hold more in-person events for members.
“We’re just a group of guys who enjoy playing Rocket League,” Ho said. “It’s been really cool to see this community grow and meet each other in person at dinners or other events.”
