The next split of RLCS 2021-22 is approaching fast, and with that, a healthy amount of upcoming matches for the Dignitas Rocket League team. We had the opportunity to talk with Dignitas’ own Jack “ApparentlyJack” Benton about both the previous split and the new split.

Hey, Jack! Before we dive into a Fall Split recap, I was wondering how your off-season break went? Did you have a good time off?

ApparentlyJack: Break has been good! It’s been nice to kind of get away from Rocket League for a little bit and just rest. I’ve just been spending time with family.

You guys had a pretty successful Fall Split last season. You got top 4 in Regional Event 1 and Regional Event 3, and you managed to win it all in the second one. What are your thoughts on how the split went overall?

ApparentlyJack: It went really well, this is the best I’ve ever done in my career. I couldn’t have asked for a better split. We got at least top 4 in all of the online events and qualified for LAN. The result there wasn’t what we were looking for, but there’s a lot of things to learn from it. If you win everything, there’s not as much to take away in some sense. I’m happy with how the split went, I’m just looking forward to getting back in to it and proving we can do even better next time!

Like you said, your performance in the events is what qualified you for the Fall Major. This was a very significant LAN event, as it was the first Rocket League LAN in two years. Just how special was it for you to be a part of that?

ApparentlyJack: It’s crazy, I used to just be sitting at home watching these players play the event when I wasn’t even trying to go pro in Rocket League yet. I was just enjoying them back then, so I couldn’t even imagine what it was like being there. Now that I’ve experienced it, I just want to experience it more. It was great! Obviously, Psyonix had to do everything they could to make sure they could hold the LAN with all of the stuff going on. They did a really good job despite that. It was a great experience meeting everyone and having the chance to play on the stage. Just a really great time overall.

It was your personal first RLCS LAN. How did it feel to be around your teammates in person and what was it like playing under the lights?

ApparentlyJack: First time meeting teammates is always going to be a great feeling. I’ve met Joreuz before, but that was a couple of years ago, so we’ve both grown as people since then. It was nice to see that and, being in person, realize that we’re great friends online but even better friends in person. Everyone mixes so well. Meeting in person, being in person, playing the game in person – it’s all different. It’s a completely different feeling that puts a very real aspect into what you’re doing. It puts it into perspective.

Something that comes with the territory of LAN is you getting a taste of the other regions. What was that like? How did you feel like the competition stacked up to your normal European opponents?

ApparentlyJack: In terms of skill, everyone is quite similar really. Which I was expecting going in. Everyone was saying how Oceania is going to be bad or further behind, but I really didn’t think that was going to be the case. And they showed up at LAN, both teams finished 9th – 11th, which is quite a good result. The South American teams were very mechanical and very fast. With the North American teams, it was kind of what I was expecting. They were very good teams, they gave a little more space than European teams. Everyone is an amazing player individually and it showed at LAN. All the regions that were considered minor regions before are not going to really be labeled that anymore. They’re all good enough, you know?

Oh, definitely. I have to say, Sandrock Gaming really won me over as well. I just love watching them.

ApparentlyJack: It’s good to see them, man. Like, it’s so good to see them win and do well because, obviously, they’ve never had RLCS so it’s good to see them finally get their chance and take it. Those guys are crazy players, some of the most naturally talented players in the game in my opinion. They’re amazing at the game and they’re even better people. Good to meet them as well!

So, you guys went 3-0 through the Swiss stage at the major. Unfortunately, the road ended against SMPR in the bracket, so you guys finished 5th – 8th. How satisfied are you with the team’s first LAN?

ApparentlyJack: There’s good parts and bad parts, like any tournament. Swiss was amazing, we played very good Rocket League. And, even in the SMPR series, we weren’t happy with our performance, but we kept it close and it went to game 7. It’s still a decent result at the end of the day for our first LAN as a team. We can only really get better from here. There’s a lot to improve on, but we just have to stay level-headed. There were really good parts that we can include in our gameplay today, and there were mistakes that we can remove. We’ll be ready for the next LAN.

The Winter Split is now right around the corner. How excited are you to get back to it and what are your expectations?

ApparentlyJack: I’m really excited to get back to competing. It’s really what I play the game for, it’s the best part about it in my opinion. I’ve got high expectations for myself and my teammates all the time! I want to get the number 1 seed, I want to make LAN and have the number 1 seed going into it. I’m not saying we’re going to win everything, because that’s just not realistic, but I think that if we end the split without winning a Regional Event or the Major, then I won’t be particularly happy. It’s going to be tough, but I’m looking forward to it for sure.

So, the Winter Split brings a new format. This time, you guys will be playing in a group stage. Four teams per group, everyone in the group plays each other once, and that feeds into a double elimination bracket. What are your impressions on the format?

ApparentlyJack: Originally, I thought it looked quite good. I still think it looks good, but the only thing I could possibly pick out is that it favors the team that gets first in their group very heavily because they go straight into the upper bracket. At the same time, if you don’t perform consistently throughout the tournament, then you’re not a top team. So, you have to perform consistently in the groups. I think it’s going to be crazy, there’s going to be a lot of top teams that drop down because that’s just the nature of the format. Some teams that got second in their group will come up against a team that got third, and we could very well see top 6 teams coming in, like, 12th place in the event. It’s going to make for some exciting matches, that’s for sure.

The Fall Split had the first LAN back, but the Winter Split could have the first LAN back with fans in attendance, depending on how things go between now and then. Let’s say that it works out. How exciting is the idea of playing in front of a live, in-person crowd for you?

ApparentlyJack: It’s going to be incredible if it does happen. Playing online, it’s an amazing feeling being one of the best in the world, being on one of the best teams and doing what you love for a career. But, being in person in front of a crowd? I’ve had it one time, it was a crowd of about 500 people, which was crazy itself. I couldn’t even imagine what it’s like with thousands there. It’s exciting – you’re going to be on a stage, going to feel that adrenaline rushing through your body, and that’s the feeling that everyone wants to feel. It’ll be different at first, I can imagine it’ll all be a blur for the first couple of games, but you’ve just got to enjoy it as it goes really, don’t you?

Absolutely! Hey, are there any shout outs you’d like to give? And where can people keep up with you?

ApparentlyJack: Shout out to my teammates! Shout out to Dignitas, they’re all doing an amazing job with our team in keeping us up at the top. Especially our psychologist Lenny, the guy does absolutely amazing, both for us as a team and individually as players and people. Shout out to all the fans of course, Dignitas fans are crazy, man! They’re some of the most die-hard fans in the Rocket League scene and we couldn’t ask for better fans. If anyone wants to find me, it’s ApparentlyJack on all social media, you should be able to find me pretty easily!

Definitely give this guy a follow if you haven’t already. Thank you for taking the time, and good luck in the Winter Split, man!

ApparentlyJack: Thank you, man!

Again, thank you to ApparentlyJack for taking the time to talk to us before the Winter Split starts! Be sure to follow him on YouTube, Twitch, Instagram, and Twitter!