Version1 BeastMode on Rocket League esports scene: “I feel like they can do a lot more things that can help them grow as an esports. But right now, I feel like they are in a very good spot.”

The North American Rocket League team Version1 is a name to be reckoned with in the Rocket League scene. With the acquisition of Rat Enterprise in 2020, Version1 has managed to be a dominant team not just in the North American scene but also on the international level.

Version1 houses the veteran player Kyle "torment" Storer, the colorful Robert "comm" Kyser, and the prodigy Landon "BeastMode" Konerman. They are overseen by the experienced coach Jayson "Fireburner" Nunez. This roster has played together since the last RLCS Winter Season and they come into the new season ready to torment the Rocket League scene.

Esports.gg has reached out to Version1 to talk about the ongoing RLCS Fall Major and the overall esports scene of Rocket League. The interview was recorded before the RLCS Fall Major. You can watch the interview over here.

Version1 goes into the RLCS Fall Major with confidence. Comm has said in the RLCS Fall Major pre-tournament video. "For those who don't think we stand a chance, I don't feel like you've been watching us play over the past year." Version 1's performance this season and in the year 2022 has definitely seen massive improvements. In the last RLCS season, they started on a bad foot where they didn't get to qualify for the Fall Major. When BeastMode came into Version1, the team becomes the best version of themselves and finally got to qualify for the RLCS 2021-22 World Championship where they got the 5th-8th placement. They then started the current Fall season with a convincing run.

Going into the RLCS Fall Major, Version1 feels confident in playing against any team but they know it is not an easy road to becoming the champion. They shared their opinion about who is going to be the most difficult team to go against. Torment says NA teams are harder for them to go against than EU. "Probably, FaZe [Clan] but usually, it's not that we can't keep it close [against FaZe Clan], it's just we have never closed it out", he explained further.

The players also shared their opinions on who's most likely to win the RLCS Fall Major. "The favorites to win would probably be KCorp", Comm said. Karmine Corp has had a pretty successful season with getting top three for all Fall qualifiers so they are definitely one of the favorites to win the RLCS Fall Major.

When asked about what team they are most excited to play against in the Major, they are quick to bring up Team Falcons. Version1 had lost to Team Falcons in an intense seven-game match during last Spring Major. "I'd say give us the [Team] Falcons rematch," Torment said. Comm quickly agreed, "I know I want a rematch and I know we can beat them".

RLCS Fall Major will see the return of only one World Champion, Torment who won the RLCS Worlds Season 6 under Cloud9 in 2018. He then formed Rat Enterprise which is then acquired by Version1. Torment has managed to stay at the top of the scenes, trying his best to lift another LAN trophy. "I honestly didn't think of it. I don't think that means I have to win, or we have to win tho it'll be cool cause I haven't won a LAN since 2019 so that's always the goal. But I don't really feel the pressure.", he commented on being the only World Champion in the RLCS Fall Major.

The Rocket League Esports scene is going into its 7th year with twelve successful seasons. The RLCS Season X saw the stabilization of the esports scene with better formats and refined tournament structures. This season is almost a carbon copy of the RLCS Season 2022-23, with three Split Majors leading up to the World Championship in August 2023.

The Version1 players shared how they think the Rocket League esports scene is in a good state with more room to grow. BeastMode said, "I feel like they can do a lot more things that can help them grow as an esports. But right now, I feel like they are in a very good spot."

Torment agreed and added, "I don't really know what they can do to push to the next level. I think it's more on the casual and player-base side and getting more players to just play the game in general and that usually flows over into the esports scene."

"Last season's format was really good, all things considered", Comm explained further. "Most players are happy with the format and I'm excited for the growth of Rocket League Esports."

Psyonix is also funding the collegiate esports scene of Rocket League, known as the Collegiate Rocket League (CRL). The scene has also been growing alongside the RLCS with universities offering esports sponsorship for college students. Last October, Comm won the College Carball Association x Immortals: Bundle Bash. He started to play Rocket League in his junior year of school and it was going pretty well for him. Since then, he did not put much thought into college and decided to go for the professional player life. "If I do end up deciding to go to college, then, of course, I'll probably play in CRL".

Rocket League is seeing new players in the scene and we are already seeing huge age gaps between the players. Torment, being the veteran and oldest player of Version1, commented on how the older players have to deal with new, younger competitors. "You have to just accept that there's going to be a 15-year-old that spawns in and he's going to be more mechanical and faster than you. You just have to adapt and learn from how they play cause they're going to come in and they just pick things up way faster".

He jokingly added while referring to BeastMode, "And then you pick up one of those 16-year-olds (for your team)".

The dynamic between an older player and a younger one is always an interesting thing to observe. Torment said he has no problem understanding "zoomer jokes" by BeastMode who is 5 years younger. Comm added, "We also all lived on the internet anyways. We all see the same stuff."

"There really isn't an age on the internet," said Torment. "The question was phrased like I'm 40 [years old]". And I'm not 40".

BeastMode is currently one of the top players in the world, with his excellent mechanics and speed on the field. When asked how he would rank himself among the Rocket League pro players, he confidently placed himself among the top 10 in the world. He said, "I don't know about top 5, it just depends on what people think. But I definitely put myself top 10 in the world." Torment jokingly brushed off BeastMode's opinion, saying "Humble King. We've got him number one".

With BeastMode activation, comes a side boost of trash-talking talent. This talent is often equipped by Comm who has been known for hyping up the tournament with his trash-talk. "I'm not planning on trash-talking at this event but if the opportunity is there, I'm not gonna pass it up." When asked if he would react negatively if he's on the receiving end, he said, "Anybody trash-talking or demoing me wouldn't affect me nearly as much because nobody's good at either."

"Facts", Torment agreed.

Version1 is currently among the top eight teams in the RLCS Fall Major. They will be playing in the Championship Sunday playoffs this Sunday. You can keep up-to-date with the championship with us on Esports.gg over here. We can't wait to see Version1 activate their Beast Mode and trash everyone in the scene.

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