Editing Rocket jumping

{{Short description|Explosive self propulsion tactic in video games}}
{{Video FPS}}
In [[Shooter game|shooter games]], '''rocket jumping''' is the technique of using the knockback of an explosive weapon, most often a [[rocket launcher]], to launch the shooter into the air.<ref>{{cite news | title = With sponsors and big prizes, gaming is serious business | work = [[Dallas Morning News]] | author = Victor Godinez | date = August 2, 2007 }}</ref> The aim of this technique is to reach heights, distances and speed that standard character movement cannot achieve. Although the origin of rocket jumping is unclear,<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://quake.speeddemosarchive.com/quake/qdq/articles/WallHug/rjump.htm|title = From whence came that rocket?|access-date = January 26, 2016|publisher = Quake Speed Demos Archive}}</ref> its usage was popularized by ''[[Quake (video game)|Quake]]'' and ''[[Team Fortress 2]].''

Rocket jumping is used often in competitive play, where it can allow the player to gain quick bursts of speed, reach normally unobtainable heights, secure positional advantages, or in [[speedrun]]ning.<ref name="smashing">{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3142599&did=1|title=Smashing the Clock|author=Turner, B.|year=2005|website=1UP.com|access-date=2007-12-03}}</ref> However, a potential consequence of rocket jumping is that it can injure the player, either from the blast or from fall damage.<ref name="tf2guide">{{cite journal | url = http://www.custompc.co.uk/handsonguides/2230/assault-2---the-soldier/ | journal = [[Custom PC]] | title = The complete guide to Team Fortress 2 | date = 9 October 2007 | author = Josh Blodwell | access-date = 2007-12-02 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071128055246/http://www.custompc.co.uk/handsonguides/2230/assault-2---the-soldier/ <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2007-11-28}}</ref> This effect makes the technique less useful in games where the damage from the blast and/or fall is high, or where health is difficult to replenish (such as in ''[[Half-Life (series)|Half-Life]]'', where rocket jumps leave the player with approximately 10 health<ref>{{Cite web |title=Half-life Rocket Jump |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSIuqV9-Sas |website=YouTube}}</ref>).

==In the ''Quake'' series==
While using explosives to propel oneself was first seen in [[Doom (1993 video game)|''Doom'']], the modern technique became a core mechanic in [[Quake (video game)|''Quake'']]. By exploiting the physics of the [[Quake (video game)|''Quake'']] engine, many advanced movement techniques were spawned such as [[Strafing (video games)#Circle jump|circle jumping]], [[Strafe-jumping|strafing]], [[bunny hopping]], and explosive jumping. Rocket jumping was kept as an intentional mechanic for the leading games in the ''[[Quake (series)|Quake]] series.'' In ''[[Quake III: Arena]]'' some of the computer-controlled opponents use rocket jumps.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://planetquake.gamespy.com/View.php?view=Guides.Detail&id=43&game=4|title=The Quake III Arena Guide - Bots|publisher=[[GameSpy]]|work=PlanetQuake|access-date=2007-12-02|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071202132730/http://planetquake.gamespy.com/View.php?view=Guides.Detail&id=43&game=4|archive-date=2007-12-02}}</ref>

==Forms==
Rocket jumping has appeared in several games in a variety of forms, sometimes as a form of [[emergent gameplay]].

===Horizontal===
A horizontal form of rocket jumping appears in ''[[Doom (1993 video game)|Doom]]'' (1993), where it is used to reach the secret exit in E3M6.<ref>{{cite web|title=Doom Level History |url=http://www.rome.ro/lee_killough/history/doomqna.shtml |author=Lee Killough |access-date=2014-03-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217024351/http://www.rome.ro/lee_killough/history/doomqna.shtml |archive-date=December 17, 2013 }}</ref>

===Vertical===
The first games to feature vertical rocket jumping were [[Bungie]]'s ''[[Marathon (computer game)|Marathon]]'' and [[3D Realms]]' ''[[Rise of the Triad]]'', which were both released on the same day. It was featured the same year on [[The Outfoxies]]. Rocket jumping became very popular in the original ''[[Quake (video game)|Quake]]'' (1996), and was used as an advanced technique for deathmatch play<ref>{{cite web | title = Thresh's Quake Bible | url =  http://www.quaketerminus.com/quakebible/adv-rjump.htm| author = Dennis Fong}}</ref> as well as for the [[Quake done Quick]] series.

In the game ''[[Team Fortress 2]]'' (2007), the Soldier class can use his rockets to rocket jump. This is an intentional feature with several mechanics associated with it. The game features numerous unlockable weapons with attributes that only affect rocket jumping or only apply while rocket jumping. The Demoman class can achieve a similar effect using his own assortment of explosive weapons, such as the "Stickybomb Launcher", or by crouching and jumping with his "Ullapool Caber" melee weapon. It is also possible to use knockback provided by enemy explosives to perform a similarly boosted jump as any class.<ref>{{cite web | title = Jumping - Official TF2 Wiki | url =  https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Jumping}}</ref>

In ''[[Minecraft]]'' (2011), the player can activate TNT in order to propel themselves. While it is usually fatal when attempted, equipping armour can allow players to survive the blast damage, enabling it to be used as a form of transportation. It can also be attempted with [[Creeper (Minecraft)|creepers]], in-game entities that explode upon close contact.

In ''[[Overwatch (video game)|Overwatch]]'' (2016), multiple characters have explosive projectiles that can be used to rocket jump.

===Other variations===
*A similar technique can often be performed with other explosives, such as [[grenades]], remotely detonated bombs or explosive objects in the level; depending on the game, these might be more, equally or less viable alternatives to rocket jumps.
*Some games offer weapons that knock the user back with their [[recoil]]. In the ''[[Unreal (video game series)|Unreal]]'' series of games, in addition to traditional rocket jumps, the weapons can be charged up for a powerful melee attack that can be aimed at the ground to boost the player. In ''[[Half-Life (video game)|Half-Life]]'' (1998), the [[Coilgun|Tau Cannon]] can be charged for a stronger attack that pushes the user back; in the multiplayer mode of the game, the weapon charges up faster, and the knockback is increased to a point where it can also be directed vertically, allowing players to use this as a form of mobility.<ref>{{Cite journal |author = Valve |author-link = Valve Corporation | year = 2002 | title = Half-Life SDK v2.3 }} <code>gauss.cpp</code> line 350: "In deathmatch, gauss can pop you up into the air. Not in single play."</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Gauss jumping - SourceRuns Wiki | url=https://wiki.sourceruns.org/wiki/Gauss_Boosting}}</ref> In the ''[[Halo (series)|Halo]]'' game franchise, players often use guns such as the Concussion rifle or Frag grenades to launch the player faster or higher for speedrunning purposes, or to reach normally unreachable areas or easter eggs.<ref name="Halo:4 CR RJ">{{cite web|title=Tyrant's Halo 4 Mythic Walkthrough (LASO) - Composer| website=[[YouTube]] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duVaOvtrtNY#t=294 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/duVaOvtrtNY |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|access-date=10 May 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="Halo 3 FG RJ">{{cite web|title=Halo 3 "Floodgate" Speedrun (Legendary Zero Shot)| website=[[YouTube]] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0_Wp-dhuJI#t=14 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/p0_Wp-dhuJI |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|access-date=10 May 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
*In ''[[Fortnite Battle Royale]]'' it is possible to ride launched missiles to reach other places that are time-consuming, difficult or impossible to access on foot, provided that the rider safely disembarks at a nearby platform before the missile explodes.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hall |first1=Charlie |title=Fortnite's enhanced 'rocket riding' could be a game changer |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/4/9/17215470/fortnite-rocket-riding-guided-missile-exploit |website=Polygon |access-date=1 September 2018 |date=9 April 2018}}</ref> This technique, called '''rocket riding''',<ref>{{cite web |title=Guided Missile - Teaser Trailer |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTufcjFo688  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/GTufcjFo688 |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|website=YouTube |publisher=Fortnite |access-date=1 September 2018 |date=28 March 2018 |quote='''Description:''' "Everything you need for your rocket riding taxi service."}}{{cbignore}}</ref> does not follow the typical definition of rocket jumping (in that it does not leverage the force of a rocket explosion), but can be seen to be related to it in that it inherits its risks. Unlike the typical definition of rocket jumping, rocket riding does not rely on the use of knockback nor recoil. As a result, the argument can be made that rocket riding and rocket jumping are unrelated techniques from each other.

==Outside video games==
Rocket jumping has appeared in other media as well. 
*In [[William Shakespeare]]'s play ''[[Hamlet]]'', a reference is made to being [[Hoist with his own petard|hoisted with his own petard]], or being lifted by the explosion of one's own bomb.
*In the live-action film ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'', the character Ironhide performs a rocket jump over a screaming woman after transforming from his truck mode.<ref>{{cite news | title = Guest gamer | author = Cameron Solnordal | work = [[Sydney Morning Herald]] | date = October 13, 2007 | page = 15 }}</ref>
*In the film ''[[Planet Terror]]'', lead character Cherry Darling uses her peg leg, a machine gun with underslung grenade launcher, to rocket jump over a tall wall.
*In the film ''[[Tokyo Gore Police]]'', lead character Ruka uses a bazooka to rocket jump to a building's rooftop.
*In [[Freddie Wong]]'s and [[Brandon Laatsch]]'s video "The Rocket Jump", the rocket jump is featured as the main part of the YouTube short. This later influenced their channel and studio into being renamed "RocketJump".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rocketjump.com/|title=RocketJump - Original Web Content, TV Shows, Movies & Games|website=RocketJump}}</ref>
*In the episode "[[List of The Librarians episodes#ep18|The Librarians and the Point of Salvation]]" of the second season of the TV series ''[[The Librarians (2014 TV series)|The Librarians]]'', rocket jumping is specifically referred to but done using grenades.

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{video game gameplay}}

[[Category:Esports techniques]]
[[Category:Jumping]]