The Fine Line Between Ranked and Normals: AFK's and Unprofessionalsim

**A much needed look at the current situation & it's implications ** I want this message to really hit home to Riot as this aspect of the game will heavily determine the future of not only their game in general but their beloved Esport. I'm sure you guys are aware of the issue with AFKERS, players on tilt and such; however I feel it imperative to iterate that these players indeed destroy your future chances of success in regards to LoL Esports. These players are more than a mere nuisance, they are immature, emotionally unstable young people for the most part who more or less have no direction or ambition for their lives, placing their issues and frustrations on others. I know it's a hard criticism to make, but a few games with these types of players reveals that this is exactly the individual you may very well have to end up playing with in your team. One sour apple can really spoil the rest sadly and in ranked this should not be so.

Ranked is where the future of LoLEsports is built upon, it's where the unseen or developing talent from each region go to in hopes of making it big in your game and in this new culture. It's also where your already existing professionals and superstars compete with aspiring players and other highly skilled professionals. Ranked Queue's/modes, especially in the summoner's rift is pretty much your professional players work environment. It's your development league, its where your potential success grows. When you have Pro players and amateurs alike complaining and witnessing or being subjected to the illogical and erratic emotional whims of people who do not see the bigger picture it can indeed ruin the potential of your League.

Ranked at the moment isn't an environment where only the best of the best and most dedicated players can develop and compete. It's an environment where aspiring pro's and pro's alike struggle to play some serious League because many don't have the right mindset, focus or attitude. Whether it be bronze or challenger Ranked should be a place distinctly different from normals. In Ranked solo queue the need for team cohesion contrary to popular belief is greater than the individual. Ranked Solo/duo queue needs to have strict guidelines and repercussions, even permanent ones to heavily deter out of character play in a professional setting. You do not have to be a professional to play ranked, but it's where your professionals play, it's where potential professional players are recruited and made, ranked must be held to a higher standard in every aspect.

What does this imply exactly? Well as of now it implies that Riot isn't capable or decisive enough to ensure that even it's most wining-est and potential money makers of advertising it's Esport, can produce in a healthy and competitive environment. Now please do not confuse my criticism with FUD, im well aware Riot has made moves to "weed out" afkers, but it's only done mildly at best and still doesnt do a good job at all for people who see the potential here. Think of it this way, you're Ranked queues should be where players can feel they can seriously focus on being paid representatives of your sport. If that environment isnt stable and secure, you lose out on potential representatives, growth, popularity and money. Your success will either plateau or plummet and that isnt something that should happen it should be avoided at all costs.

The general populace of LoL who play your game for the cool skins and fun game modes like URF or Hexakill will still play the game if ranked is more strict. Normal modes provide an excellent source of quick casual fun, but the Ranked scene does not provide the seriousness or professionalism many are yearning for. In some instances and group discussions as it concerns LoL Esports many contribute the lack of strong competitive play in NA and EU directly to it's Ranked solo/duo queue environment. As opposed to the Asian countries where pros and amateurs alike feel the atmosphere there is more conducive to someone wanting to play competitively on a high level. Sure many historical facets long before LoL Esports or even the internet as a whole may be heavy components to the Asian regions mentality in regards to the areas of competitiveness and success. Even moreso it's actual history of competitive gaming in other Mobas or console games already established.

However just because the western world hasnt fully embraced Esports as a serious culture doesnt mean the Esports scene here has to be as laid back. If you want it to thrive in the western world as a seriously established venue and culture, players are going to have to adjust their mentalities when deciding to join these Ranked queues. For many it's more than just a game it's a lifestyle and a well established one at that, just like other western sports have strict established guidelines, traditions and attitudes in their arenas so should your Esports. Whether it be in a Little League Baseball Team or the Major Leagues, the tone for team work, attitude and overall coordination is universal in all it's different levels of competitive play. The same should be said with your Elo's and players in ranked queue, from Bronze to Challenger. Development starts early and the tone must be set at all levels. Most of all though your Ranked Queues need to command respect, if your own players cannot take the professional breeding ground seriously no one else will.

The Solution With much of that being said here is where I think the issue can be addressed.

• Revert the Elo decay changes made recently
• Increase the severity of Afking
• Increase the severity of being reported
• Create a separate ToS/Guideline for Ranked

People have tendencies and often behave based on their perception of life in general. To make Ranked the place it should be you need to make it a place exclusive to a certain type of individual, something that goes beyond just distinguishing raw skill, mechanical ability or game awareness. But something that must be shared by ranked players of all Elo's, whether or not they want to play serious and competitive League of Legends. Ranked Elo's (Bronze to Challenger) should only distinguish player skill not general mindset. Ranked as a whole should and needs to remain as an environment where mature players make a commitment to play in it because for the most part, especially in higher elo, it is a serious commitment with serious rank penalties if you do not work to stay competitive (elo decay). Even moreso as a professional player when your income, reputation and legacy is on the line.

However it needs to go beyond Elo decay and delve into a code of conduct whereby players are expected to behave a certain way in order to continue playing in that environment. AFKING and being reported for anything along the lines of intentionally feeding, greifing, verbal abuse, etc need to have punishments that delve beyond Losing LP or the occasional temporary removal of ranked. When wrong behavior is exhibited and costs a team it needs to be handled swiftly and harshly. This is because more than a loss of a game is had, it's a loss of a potential future player base, future representatives, fans, money, etc. Afking and toxic behavior stunt the growth of League in Ranked queues.

For Afking:

• Players will be given Afk strikes that add up in severity, up to a maximum of 4 for the greatest punishment
• All afk offenses add one strike, however incurring afk offensives consecutively within a certain period of time will have worsening punishments.
• Each player is given a light penalty for afking once in ranked during that day. A one base AFK lp loss of 15 LP on top of the loss of LP if your team has lost. Player is also given a system message that gives tips to help with disconnection issues.(Adds one Afk strike)
• Upon Afking within 24 hours of the first strike the player will be unable to rejoin ranked queue for 48 hours on top of the base Afk LP and LP loss if team has lost as a result. (Adds one Afk strike)
• *Upon receiving the third Afk strike, the player will be unable to join ranked for a week. (Adds one Afk strike)
• Upon receiving 4 afk strikes Player is banned for a month.

For being reported:

• Players will have report strikes counted against them if reported. Up to a maximum of 4 strikes, all increasing in severity of punishment.
• Being reported for any behavioral issue or offense will result in one strike, consecutive strikes will result in worsening punishments
• One Strike player is given a system warning and general tips to avoid common behavioral problems such as tilting. Player is also unable to join ranked queue for 12 hours.
• Two Strikes within 24 hours of the first will result in a loss of 30lp. Player will also be unable to join ranked for 48 hours.
• Three strikes will result in player being unable to join ranked queue for a week.
• Four strikes player account is banned for a month.

These may seem a bit harsh but it sends a clear and direct message for those playing in ranked. Whether you are Bronze or Challenger you are held to a standard, because the League itself has a standard in it's competitive play. Again I must iterate Ranked queue is where the game is played on a serious level, in which it generates various forms of income for players, riot and other entities. Even if you are an amateur and not a pro you represent a hopeful future of LoL Esports, being a player who may one day help it grow in popularity and size. For current Pro's the environment needs to be in order and it's long over due. There are too many ego centric, toxic players who are a greater detriment than help even if they are on diamond or challenger level.

On top of making these active changes to how Afking and being reported in ranked is handled, players need to enter the ranked Arenas knowing full well that the livelihoods of many are affected by whats put in there. That it's a serious thing that shouldn't be taken lightly, and if they are looking for casual play, then normal queues are best suited for them. This is why it's important to revert the changes made recently to Elo Decay and perhaps add an additional ToS as it regards ranked play. Ranked is a commitment and there should be many concrete systems in place to weed out who is serious and who is not. Thanks for reading.