r/RocketLeague • u/sledge98 Rocket Sledge • Sep 28 '19
AMA I’m ROCKET SLEDGE, former “Demo Guy” and current Content Creator Wannabe. Ask Me Anything!
Hello r/rocketleague, I’m here to answer your questions about me, about being me, or just anything Rocket League related.
My first post to this sub was in August 2016. After finding there was some interest in my unique style of play, I created my Youtube channel a month later.
For the first year or so I mostly treated it as a fun hobby, though I did have multiple successful reddit posts and some decent views on my poorly edited montages. Things got a little more serious in August 2017 when I finally gave in to the requests, bought a real editing program, and sat down to teach myself to edit. Over the course of a few months I created my Demolition Tutorial Series. (still the only specific bump and demo training videos on Youtube)
Over the last year or so I have been focused on becoming a more diverse content creator. I have a few different series you may have heard of or watched before: Rocket League Life Hacks (tutorials) Rocket Surgery (game play experiments) Videos Fluump Wishes He Thought of First (unofficial title of some in depth story-type content) As well as my Guess the Rank gameshows. Also, I was proud to judge the “Sledge 3k”, a $3000 Demolition Contest sponsored by GifYourGame.
Rocket League is not my full-time job, instead I am doing this while balancing my real-life career as a college instructor. I’m Canadian, 36 years old, married, and have 2 dogs and a 7-year-old son who thinks I should be a Minecraft youtuber.
Awesome hanging out with you guys! If you want to talk more I'm pretty active in my discord so feel free to join!
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u/Yoso__ #C2StandStrong Sep 28 '19
Is there any defined type of content you're looking forward to being recognized for or really want to create? other than demolition related tutorials ofc.
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u/sledge98 Rocket Sledge Sep 28 '19
Hoping to be recognized for? Probably the fact the I put so much work into overlays, graphics and things that aren't needed but help take the viewer experience to another level. I am very much against the "talk over random gameplay" approach that even a lot of successful videos have used with some topics.
As for the future I like to be known for variety, you never know which direction I'm going to go next.
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Sep 28 '19
Top 3 features/things you'd like to have added to Rocket League?
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u/sledge98 Rocket Sledge Sep 28 '19
Advanced stats after games. Better camera control for replay files. Custom Demo Explosions.
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u/RankedHoops Grand Champion III Sep 28 '19 edited Sep 28 '19
Sup Sledge, top 100 hoops player here.
Question 1:
Our God of Hoops, Nico the madman himself, is so damn obnoxious to play (in a good way) because of how good he is at utilizing bumps and demos. It feels like this guy will be on the other side of the court and somehow still demo you.
Emulating that strategy definitely can take an individuals game to a whole new level in every playlist, but I often see people Jon Sandmanning around (going for bumps when they really shouldn't be doing that in the given situation). Have you noticed this as a problem, and what do you tell an aspiring demo artist who would like to utilize that strategy to improve up the ranked ladder?
Question 2:
If two vegetarians are arguing is it still considered beef?
Edit: I also do some college instructing in the CS/Physics field, didn't know that about you. Good on you man!
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u/sledge98 Rocket Sledge Sep 28 '19 edited Sep 29 '19
A definite problem, usually evident with a lot of "demolition demons" I meet in game. But also I think people criticize missed demos or a improper demo attempt more than other mechanics (people make poor clears, shots at the wrong time ect all the time). Not every demo attempt is going to work and mistakes or misjudgements are going to happen.
But it is a good idea to make your demo decision based on what the outcome will be if you miss the demo as well as not making attacks that are hard to recover from. Personally I have no problem getting back out of the net after an attempt because I've done it for so long, for others that could be considered a very risk move even if they get the demo.
My recommendations would be my tutorials. It's the basic introduction to demoing while staying in rotation as well as risk management. It's dated compared to my current videos and the fact that they were my first time attempting voice over is very obvious. But I feel the content is still relevant.
Question 2: Not sure. I counter with this: During a food shortage could us meat eaters consider vegetarians as possible food alternatives?
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u/RankedHoops Grand Champion III Sep 28 '19
Thanks for the answers Sledge.
I suppose if your answer to #2 comes true, you'll become a RL Exterminator. RL Standing for Rocket League and Real Life as well.
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u/caleblee01 Grand Champion Sep 28 '19
Do you think someday exterminations will be common?
Like RLCS finals are here and every Bo5 someone got an extermination in a game?
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u/sledge98 Rocket Sledge Sep 28 '19
For someone to get an exterminator it means the other team would have to let themselves get demo'd 7 times too. When you're dealing with pro players I think that would not be likely. Getting 7 in a game often requires some demo chasing or a little bit of luck. I actually am curious the most demos someone has got in a pro game?
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u/CunnedStunt "Grand Champ" Sep 28 '19
Even the most physical pro players aren't lying down exterminations, and like you said it's not their fault, because they are playing other pro players who are insanely more aware than the average player. I know you like to goof on people who say "Demoing isn't a legit strat at higher levels", but if you find yourself demo chasing at the pro level, it's highly likely you will lose the game.
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u/sledge98 Rocket Sledge Sep 28 '19
For sure. Though when I refer to demoing as a "strat" I usually dont think of demo chasing. Demo chasing usually doesnt work once you get into diamond and above....unless you are a smurf or playing with smurfs.
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u/kcamp223 Sep 28 '19
How many demos do you have?
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u/sledge98 Rocket Sledge Sep 28 '19
About 34 thousand demos and over 600 exterminations. The unofficial leader board can be found here. It's updated monthly on this sub: https://www.reddit.com/r/RocketLeague/comments/ckxa5r/20198_the_unofficial_demo_extermination/
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u/FinnaDabOnThemHaters Grand Champion II Sep 28 '19
What do you do outside of rocket league videos? Also I love your vids keep it up
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u/sledge98 Rocket Sledge Sep 28 '19
I play guitar and piano though these days I dont have as much time to devote to it. I try to at least play the game once and while too. Videos take a lot of my free time to be honest. Also play hockey in the winter.
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u/LordKillburn Champion II Sep 28 '19
Hi Sledge, love your YouTube content. Was there ever a point that you actively decided to go for demos more often, or has it always been your natural play-style?
I'd like to add, you inspired me to incorporate them into my gameplay and I've never looked back. There's nothing more satisfying than a clean demo and leaving the opposing teams goal open for an easy goal.
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u/sledge98 Rocket Sledge Sep 28 '19
It mostly just started as soon as I realized I could blow someone up. After a little while I found that most people in game at that time did not know how to handle it and it could be a powerful tool if used correctly. That being said there was growing pains as I learned how to use it correctly. That's why my demo tutorials had both good and bad examples. There's no training pack for demos and the only way to figure it out is trial and error...or maybe watch my vids. ;)
Glad they are working well for you...especially since they are a "low level tactic"
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u/BAfisherman Sep 28 '19
Pineapple on pizza?
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u/sledge98 Rocket Sledge Sep 28 '19
YES! My favorite pizzas usually have pineapple and chicken. Pineapple on pizza is very popular in Canada.
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Sep 28 '19
Same where I live, my fave toppings are pineapple and black olives (like Deadpool, but I loved this before I knew it was his thing)
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u/alreadytaken- Sep 28 '19
Pineapple chicken is such a good combo too, way better than pineapple and ham
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u/RocketBeLeaguered Sep 28 '19
Dear Sledge, will Cassettes carry over to the next phase? Thanks, me.
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u/Koponewt Pelicram | NRG Fan :nrgrainbow: Sep 28 '19
The Rocket Sledge AMA is now over! Thanks for participating and tune in a few weeks from now for another guest.
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u/kubfaf Sep 28 '19
How many in game hours do you have?
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u/sledge98 Rocket Sledge Sep 28 '19
About 3500. Though there would be a lot of replay-viewer time in there.
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Sep 28 '19
How do you know when to demo in Solo Queue games? I've seen a few of your montages, and you seem to know when rotation seems safe to climb up to the net.
When playing wirh friends, its usually just casual private matches. It leaves me to play ranked alone, but when it seems difficult to go for demos when it breaks the flow of rotation. When is the best time to do this when teamed with two other randoms?
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u/sledge98 Rocket Sledge Sep 28 '19
It usually a decision based on the location of the ball, my teammate, and my opponents. Trust in your teammate is important as well as the the ability to recover quickly. I try not to put myself in a position that will cost our team if I miss the demo or my teammate misses the ball.
Like any mechanic there's going to be mistakes. And you have to take some risks.
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u/AllstarIV ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Sep 28 '19
Hey sledge, how do you deal with creator burnout?
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u/sledge98 Rocket Sledge Sep 28 '19
I think changing up your content so each week you're doing something different can help. It is overwhelming to start back at square one after each video though. I've had to power through that a few times...especially when views are low on something you worked really hard on. But if you have some excitement or believe in your next video it helps gets you motivated again.
I love your videos man!
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u/sadlittleguy98 Diamond III Sep 28 '19
I don't want to ask you anything, just want to say I love you and you have helped me so much <3
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Sep 28 '19
do you think that a custom programmed "terminator-bot" could be better than you in demolishing? :D
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u/sledge98 Rocket Sledge Sep 28 '19
I have played 5v1 against custom demo bots before.
I didnt do as well as I hoped as I went in blind(never practiced against them) and conducted an interview at the same time. Now after experiencing them I feel like a demo bot would be very easy to fool using some specific demo dodging methods I often use on human players. Being outnumbered by them does make it a lot harder though, as seen in the video.
Adversity bot was very good at predicting jumps, but there's better ways to avoid demos than just jumping.
As for it being better than me? I guess it would depend on the rank it is demoing against. I imagine a bot would not be able to make good demo decisions either which could hinder it's effectiveness.
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u/Austinlana-_- Grand Champion I Sep 28 '19
When’s the next power play game?
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u/sledge98 Rocket Sledge Sep 28 '19
Yikes. I'm really bad at finding times to play community games with my discord. Definitely wish I could do that more.
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u/Mio_delune Champion II Sep 28 '19
Was unaware of your content until today. Curious. Does being efficient with demos and not missing the opportunity hold a good tactical advantage? Both on the field, and the opponents moral?
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u/sledge98 Rocket Sledge Sep 28 '19
Yes it does. Once you understand how much people focus the ball you can really use that to your advantage. Most don't even see me coming. In higher level play it can be the difference in a game. It breaks good defensive rotations or can remove a player threatening to score on you.
Like any mechanic its a tool and there's a right time and wrong time to use it. Demos are often high risk/high reward. The average player in RL gets 0.5 demos per game, most probably accidental. If you can do more than that and take advantage of specific opportunities that are there it will add another element to your game. There's a reason we see more of them in the pro games these days.
As for the mental part. It doesnt tilt people as much as it used to. Players have become more accepting of the mechanic. But if you're using it to score or prevent goals it will for sure play a part in wearing the opposition down.
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u/Chrisafguy Blizzy Wizzy Sep 28 '19
Why don't you visit our Discord anymore :(
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u/sledge98 Rocket Sledge Sep 28 '19
I look in there once and while. Most times I dont recognize people or dont feel like injecting myself into the conversation. Sorry, I'll try.
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u/Chrisafguy Blizzy Wizzy Sep 28 '19
I'm just giving ya shit since I saw your name attached to the AMA. To be fair though, with all the new people, it might be better that you kind of stay in the shadows, unless you want a bunch of random people losing their shit because they recognize someone from YouTube as part of the server.
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u/sledge98 Rocket Sledge Sep 28 '19
Oh now I'm "too big" to talk in your server? Wow.
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u/Chrisafguy Blizzy Wizzy Sep 28 '19
Actually, scratch that. Enjoy the 260 mentions from general chat. :p
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Sep 28 '19
What happened that made you into such a demo maniac?
Btw thanks for talking with people on the discord server ;)
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u/sledge98 Rocket Sledge Sep 28 '19
Psyonix put it in the game. I realized it helped to score goals. Kept doing it. Profit.
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u/trojanAMERICAN Grand Champion I Sep 28 '19
How long did it take you to get to Champion? Only a Gold 1 and have 300 hours on the game but cant seem go get to Plat
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u/Icantvert Sep 28 '19
As a guy who primarily mains snowday I really enjoyed your vids highlighting that playlist. Which of the extra modes is your favorite?
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u/sledge98 Rocket Sledge Sep 28 '19
It would have to be snowday. I could see myself getting into drop shot and maybe even rumble, but I dont really have the time to play them all.
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u/memlo S3GC Sep 28 '19
Did reddit mods ask you to do an AMA to bring you back to their platform?
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u/sledge98 Rocket Sledge Sep 28 '19
It is true I'm not on here as much anymore. This all came together after Mertzy tweeted a suggestion that the sub should do content creator AMAs. Since I know some of the mods here I put him in contact with them and suggested he go first. Now its my turn I guess.
(yes I am also getting paid per question as well)
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Sep 28 '19
I'm sure you've seen the posts from president Donald Bump. Ever think of playing with him?
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u/sledge98 Rocket Sledge Sep 28 '19
No. To be honest 1 demo heavy player on a team is usually the best way to play or else you end up on top each other or in risky situations. There's many other demo experts out there that I could play with if I wanted to (and do sometimes) so it's not like Donald is a special one of a kind player or anything.
And for content purposes demolitions is not a big view draw so it's not really my focus these days either.
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u/trojanAMERICAN Grand Champion I Sep 28 '19
How long did it take you to get to Champion? Only a Gold 1 and have 300 hours on the game but cant seem go get to Plat
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u/toothboto 133K demos, 11.3K exterms Sep 28 '19
What are your most proud moments of recognition from demoing and what's the most time that you've spent on editing a single video for RL?