Rocket League On Unreal Engine 6 Announced At Paris Major

During the ongoing 2026 Rocket League Championship Series Paris Major, Epic Games and Psyonix delivered on a major announcement they’d been building up to for weeks, with several professional players and onsite content creators alluding to the announcement over the past few days.

The future of Rocket League will be on Unreal Engine 6, something that’s been highly anticipated by players for years. Rocket League was originally developed on Unreal Engine 3, which has undoubtedly hampered the ability of Psyonix to update the game as regularly as they would probably have liked in recent years.

We got to see a brief clip of Rocket League running on UE6, and it looks damn near photorealistic. There’s no hint at when it’s going to be coming, though, so it could be a ways off.

Unreal Engine 3 doesn’t have many of the contemporary features that developers enjoy with modern engines, and it’s harder to train junior developers on an old engine when they’re more familiar with UE5. We’ve seen teams like Halo Studios and TT Games face similar struggles with old engines before eventually opting to switch to Unreal.

Though many are sure to be excited about the announcement, there are also some concerns. Primarily, players are worried that a new engine might meaningfully change how the game’s physics engine behaves. The core feel of Rocket League is intertwined with how the ball reacts when colliding with one’s car, and any change to those systems will cause a major shock wave in the community.

Still, Epic Games is responsible for both UE3 and UE5, so the chances of the port feeling worse than the original are low. Everyone is looking for the exact same game with shiny new visuals and more content, and that seems to be what Epic is going for.

The Paris Major Storms On

The Rocket League Paris Major trophy sitting on its plinth.

The announcement of Rocket League on UE6 came during the semi-finals of the Paris Major, an appropriate time to make such a massive announcement, given that the event is one of the game’s biggest ever.

The energy in Paris is electric, as three of the competing teams, Karmine Corp, Team Vitality and Gentle Mates, are French organisations and each reached the major’s final six. The fandom of these respective organisations is on full display on the streets of Paris, seen by many as the spiritual home of Rocket League esports.

With the next semi-final being contested by Karmine Corp and Team Vitality to see who will face Twisted Minds in the Grand Finals, the energy of Paris’ La Défense Arena remains frenetic.

Rocket League

Released: July 7, 2015
ESRB: E for Everyone: Mild Lyrics
Developer(s): Psyonix
Publisher(s): Psyonix

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Will there be an MSG Knicks watch party for Game 5? What we know – NBC New York

The Knicks are one game away from their first NBA championship in 53 years, a remarkable ascendance for a once beaten-down franchise that has the entire New York City area in a frenzy.

Tens of thousands of fans have gathered at watch parties across the tri-state to root for their orange and blue. Some of those parties turned raucous. More than 80 people were taken into custody, nearly 30 of them charged, amid utter fan chaos outside Bryant Park and Madison Square Garden within the last week.

The MSG watch party was called off for Game 3 on Monday, given the attendance of President Donald Trump. It was supposed to be back for Game 4 on Wednesday — the city and Knicks announced it, a permit was issued, barricades were set up. Closer to gametime, though, there were still no screens.

Knicks owner James Dolan abruptly called the party off, blaming Mayor Zohran Mamdani and City Hall for trying to curtail the celebratory atmosphere with a heavy dose of security. Mamdani and the NYPD say the secure zone is necessary for public safety, especially given the rowdiness that erupted at Bryant Park last week.

No-pedestrian and no-vehicle zones that were supposed to be in place just for Trump’s visit ended up staying part of the plan, meaning no fans at all could even get within a few blocks of Madison Square Garden.

The city approved a ticketed event for 999 people, the maximum amount it says MSG requested. Dolan argued that wasn’t enough, and that it would shut out tens of thousands of fans eager to be part of the festivities.

A statement from MSG late Thursday said they declined to use the permit granted by the city “due to the fact that only 1,000 people would be allowed into the area and they would need to be ticketed, leaving the tens of thousands of people who want to come to The Garden to celebrate the Knicks out in the cold. We did not think it was fair to just allow a small group to celebrate outside The Garden when everybody else was being shut out.”

Mamdani has said MSG didn’t apply for a bigger permit.

This Saturday brings another complication, with a concert happening at MSG. 5 Seconds of Summer is performing its “EVERYONE’S A STAR!” World Tour with special guest The Band Camino.

The Wollman Rink at Central Park and Brooklyn Bowl are also hosting free official watch parties. There was no update on the potential for an MSG one as of mid-afternoon Friday.

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Jung Hoo Lee’s 18-game hit streak has helped ignite SF Giants’ offense

Giants right fielder Jung Hoo Lee collects his fourth hit of the game Monday against the Washington Nationals at Oracle Park.

Carlos Avila Gonzalez/S.F. Chronicle

In a different era, Jung Hoo Lee’s numbers would have the baseball world’s full attention.

Most notably, his batting average — a statistic that has lost some of its historic luster with the introduction of advanced metrics that can explain more thoroughly a player’s impact at the plate on his team’s run-scoring.

Nevertheless, through Wednesday Lee was batting .338 for the San Francisco Giants, the second-highest average in baseball behind Miami’s Otto Lopez. Lee’s MLB-leading 18-game hitting streak dating to May 14 — interrupted by an eight-game absence due to a back strain — against the Los Angeles Dodgers pushed that average from .265 at the streak’s start.

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Lee is the first Giant since Angel Pagan in 2016 to keep a hitting streak alive at least 18 games; Pagan’s lasted 19. It’s a streak so impressive and timely that Lee could hit his way into All-Star consideration.

“I just notice Jung Hoo’s comfortability in his own skin,” manager Tony Vitello said.

Giants right fielder Jung Hoo Lee rounds second base against the Washington Nationals on Monday at Oracle Park.

Carlos Avila Gonzalez/S.F. Chronicle

That simple statistic is enough to explain Lee’s impact on the Giants offense, which leads the league in some evaluative stats since Lee’s hitting streak began last month. Over 26 games since May 14 the Giants lead with 133 weighted runs created-plus (where 100 wRC+ is the average), .839 OPS, .362 weighted on-base average and, yes, a .284 average. They’re scoring over 5.5 runs per game in that span, good for third in MLB. And their strikeout rate also dropped to 19.5%, albeit while carrying a league-low 6.8% walk rate.

The Giants’ Bryce Eldridge is hugged by Luis Arraez (1) after the rookie designated hitter hit a walk-off grand slam in the ninth inning Wednesday to defeat the Washington Nationals 11-10 at Oracle Park. The home run capped a rally from a 9-1 deficit.

Shortstop prospect Jhonny Level was recently promoted to High-A Eugene after a strong start at Class A San Jose, where he hit .325 with 10 home runs in 44 games.

In a lot of ways, the offense has been following Lee’s lead: They’re staying aggressive, generating plenty of contact and making it count. Few walks, few strikeouts, but lots of pressure on opposing pitchers and defenses, creating opportunities.

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That’s Lee’s game, as the Giants banked on when they signed him for $113 million over six years out of the Korea Baseball Organization in 2024.

“I think the feel is there. I’ve been swinging aggressively on strikes,” Lee said with Giants translator Justin Han interpreting on Monday, after one of his four games with four or more hits during this streak. “The timing and balance are there at the same time. I’m getting good results out of what I’m doing right now.”

Giants right fielder Jung Hoo Lee gestures to teammates Tuesday after hitting a single against the Washington Nationals at Oracle Park.

Jed Jacobsohn/Associated Press

Lee has been an offensive engine, but other Giants are heating up alongside him. Matt Chapman had a four-hit, two-home run game in their unlikely comeback win on Wednesday, and over his past 26 games (since May 14), he ’s batting .319 with five home runs, nine doubles and 23 RBIs. Bryce Eldridge, Wednesday’s hero for his walk-off grand slam, is along for the ride, batting .397 with a 1.175 OPS in the 17 games he’s played since becoming a regular.

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Lee’s hot hitting is a driver for this team-wide offensive success. He and Luis Arraez — who has maintained a high batting average all season and sits fourth in baseball with a .327 average — are showing that a potent offense doesn’t have to depend on over-the-fence power alone.

Admittedly, Lee’s time in San Francisco has been erratic. A dislocated shoulder requiring season-ending surgery cut short his rookie year in 2024. His second year was consequently one of adjusting to MLB’s demanding workload and the more consistent quality of pitching in the majors compared to the KBO.

Lee spoke candidly about how his trouble adjusting led to an ultimately disappointing 2025 in which he batted .266 with a .327 on-base percentage, while also handling center field in one of the worst defensive outfields in baseball. But he’s made the adjustment and started coming into his own.

“I think the full season last year helped a lot,” Lee said. “Last year was really good and I feel that I’m still adjusting to the league right now.”

Giants right fielder Jung Hoo Lee said he began to feel more comfortable in 2025 in his second major-league campaign. “Last year was really good and I feel that I’m still adjusting to the league right now,” he said.

Kayla Wolf/Associated Press

Within this 18-game hitting streak, Lee has nine multi-hit games while batting .500. He has three total strikeouts, while also contributing five doubles, a triple and a home run. And one walk, a couple of times hit by a pitch and three stolen bases.

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Statcast estimates that Lee has some of the best contact tendencies in baseball. His 10% strikeout rate is in the 98th percentile and his 12.9% whiff rate in the 97th percentile. When he does swing, he’s squaring the ball up at a high rate of 37.5% (98th). His .319 expected batting average is in the 100th percentile.

The numbers document what’s happening in his at-bats. Pitchers who once flummoxed him, he’s seeing a lot better now. No moment best captured that than when he challenged and got overturned a strike call that was a ball — by less than a one-10th of an inch.

Lee is well aware of the zone, and now, having settled into life as a big-league regular — and potentially a star — it shows.

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Tyla Performs Reps Jeffrey Campbell for FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremony

Tyla embraced the clear heels trend while performing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremony in Mexico City, where she sang the South African national anthem before her home country faced Mexico in the tournament’s opening Group A match.

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - JUNE 11: Tyla sings the South African national anthem during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A match between Mexico and South Africa at Mexico City Stadium on June 11, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Hannah Peters - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) — Tyla sings the South African national anthem during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A match between Mexico and South Africa at Mexico City Stadium on June 11, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico.

Hannah Peters – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

The “Chanel” singer performed the song while in Jeffrey Campbell‘s Booyah style, a sandal with a wedge heel featuring a cutout in it and an upper consisting of a wide transparent vinyl strap. The shoe also features a metallic ring detail around the heel which helps to further distinguish it. From Jeffrey Campbell, the Booyah style in white retails for $170, while the tan suede version is $195.

Tyla paired the shoes with a color-blocked body-con dress that was sleeveless with a knee-length hemline that flared slightly. She wore her hair in an updo with a lock falling down from the bun.

A closer look at Tyla's shoes. — A closer look at Tyla’s shoes.

Tyla is never one to shy away from a bold or unexpected shoe choice. For the 2026 Met Gala, the singer and Pandora ambassador was outfitted in head-to-toe Valentino Garavani, including her aquamarine-hued Open Toe Révélé Pumps, which featured a dramatic front cutout. She has also favored more classic styles, like Christian Louboutin’s So Kate Pump and Miu Miu slingback pumps for red carpets and more formal settings.

When it comes to performance shoes, however, her style runs the gamut. At the 2025 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards, where the “Chanel” singer both hosted and performed, she cycled through several silhouettes, from Rene Caovilla’s Cleo Satin Crystal Snake Wrap sandals to Nike Dunk Low sneakers to Gladiator-style sandals.

Tyla at The 2026 Met Gala Celebrating — Tyla at the 2026 Met Gala Celebrating “Costume Art” held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4, 2026 in New York.

Gilbert Flores

Tyla’s World Cup appearance also connects to “Game Time,” her track with Future from the official FIFA World Cup 2026™ album, which she is set to perform on Friday. The project includes songs from artists including Daddy Yankee, Jelly Roll, Shakira, the Rolling Stones and more. “Being part of the official FIFA World Cup 2026™ album feels like a full circle moment — from South Africa hosting the World Cup in 2010. I’m so excited to perform at the opening ceremonies! Let’s go Bafana Bafana,” Tyla said in an official release.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off June 11 and runs through July 19, with 48 countries participating in 104 matches throughout the tournament. Tyla is also slated to appear at the U.S. opening ceremony in Los Angeles on Friday, where she joins a lineup that includes Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, Lisa and Rema before the U.S. Men’s National Team faces Paraguay in Inglewood, Calif.

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