To get everyone on the same page, Rocket League will convert any existing loot crates players have in their inventory to blueprints when the update goes live in December. When you launch the game, they’ll be there waiting for you to reveal what they can turn into. The one thing to note here is that you can’t trade a blueprint without first finding out what it turns into since that would go against the spirit of the new system.

Psyonix also revealed that you’ll be able to trade credits, the new premium currency you need to unlock blueprints, in certain circumstances. The main takeaway here is that you’ll be swap credits as long as only one player is offering the currency in a trade. Another important restriction is that you can’t offer credits to another player for free — you have to receive something as part of the transaction.

Decryptors, an item that allows you to open a loot crate without purchasing a key first, will be phased out as part of next month’s update. If you happen to have any decryptors in your inventory, they’ll be converted to bonus gifts, which you can open for free. Lastly, once the new in-game economy is up and running, you’ll only be able to trade in items you got for free from a post-game drop. Rocket Pass items will still be ineligible for trade-ins.

As before, Psyonix thinks the new system is fairer to players while still allowing it to monetize its game. Loot boxes have for a couple of years now been a major source of controversy since many of them don’t reveal what’s inside.

After every match, you’ll have the chance to snag a blueprint, which explains upfront what item you’ll obtain if you buy it. You can pay for a blueprint (and item) immediately, or you can hang onto it in your inventory to purchase later. As with crates, painted, certified and special edition items will be available through blueprints. Psyonix also has a new item shop on its roadmap. It’ll feature older items that appeared in crates along with new ones.

Both blueprints and the item shop will arrive in December, along with credits, which are replacing keys as the game’s premium currency. You’ll also be able to use credits to buy Rocket Pass Premium too, but they won’t be valid for the esports shop — only esports tokens will be valid there. Psyonix will automatically convert keys into credits and remaining crates into blueprints once the overhauled system goes live. Until then, one final vindicator crate will be available from Thursday, which includes a battle-car and a goal explosion.

Meanwhile, changes are afoot for Rocket League trade-ins. When the new cosmetics system is up and running, you won’t be able to trade in paid-for items from blueprints, the item shop or older ones you got from crates. You’ll still be able to trade in items from free post-game drops.

Psyonix reckons blueprints will offer more transparency about the digital goods you’re buying. A major criticism of loot boxes is that you don’t really know what goodies they contain. Some jurisdictions and regulators believe they’re a form of gambling.