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The toxicity in this game is seriously astonishing sometimes

Madman357·3/17/2015, 4:54:23 PM·98 votes·6,147 views

Now don't get me wrong, in many cases I can understand a little bit of toxicity from people.

You won lane but everyone else lost hard? Ok, a bit of a reason there.

Youre in promos and someone is trolling? Alright, I understand

Multiple games in a row with afks/feeders? I feel for you

But when someone explains to you both in champ select and in game that theyre new and not particularly skilled, why are you going to start raging at them when they do poorly? Do you expect them to be lying? Do you think that your very presence should somehow lift them up skill wise? Im at a loss.

Im a noob. I know this. Its the main reason I stick to normal games for right now. But, for reasons I don't fully understand, I typically find myself playing with/against golds/plats and sometimes even diamonds. Im not going to pretend to understand Ritos matchmaking system, because im sure it makes about as much sense as some of the balance decisions they make. But as of right now, im 90/92 win/loss. Im down 2 games and yet im still playing with golds/plats in every game.

Just today, I played a game in which I last picked Vel'Koz into Ahri. Apparently this wasn't a very smart move, but I wasn't aware of that fact. I explained to my team that im a newbie, but that id do my best. I then proceeded to get destroyed in lane by this Ahri. I couldn't do anything about it, as it seemed no matter where I was she could just dive ult up to me and kill me with patriot-missile level precision on her Charm. No matter how I tried to juke, she always managed to land it. It was pretty impressive really, hats off to her.

Of course, some of my teammates decided they wanted to start raging about it though. Complaining that I lost our team the entire game (which, maybe I did, but do be fair I never saw Panth try to gank and get me back in it or anything) despite the fact that bot didn't do that great either. Panth decided to blame his lost lane on me as well because Ahri roamed top and ganked him twice for kills, even though I pinged her MIA every single time she wasn't in mid lane.

I just don't understand it. I TOLD YOU that I wasn't a very good player. I TOLD YOU THAT, and yet youre going to start flipping out about my performance anyways? If you want a more stable and evenly matched game environment, go play ranked where youll be playing with properly skilled players, don't go into normal and flame someone that TELLS YOU THEYRE A NOOB.

Of course, I report these people after the game for being dicks, but I just don't feel like it amounts to anything. Of course im sure they report me as well for anything from unskilled player to intentionally feeding despite the fact that I never give up in games and never troll. These peoples attitudes are just so...childish...

/end rant

TL;DR The MMR system needs to be reworked or something because it doesn't seem like it works properly. And I feel like player toxicity needs to be addressed in a more visible manner, at least to the people that are submitting reports. Something like a message from Rito that says:

"Hey there -player-! We were just letting you know that -toxic player-, who you reported for -reasons-, has been issued -punishment- in keepings with the Summoners Code! Have a good day!"

You know, to let people know that reporting actually accomplishes something.

119 Comments

S H A Y C 03/17/2015, 4:58:11 PM24 votes

ive noticed this in online games / forums / well, just online in general. I dont know why a lot of people are magically transformed into A-Holes when they are at the computer, but its a proven state of the human population for enough a percentage that it feels overwhelming. League for some reason has an amplified version of this phenomenon festering in its bowels like cancer.

FearEngineer3/17/2015, 6:35:13 PM17 votes

"Greetings Summoner,

I wanted to let you know that a player you reported, guyWhoHurtYourFeelings, has recently been reviewed for Verbal Abuse.

Your comment "fkn ashoel tol me that building ap on riven was retarded. fuk him idot need ban for toxic" was very helpful to us and we appreciate your role in improving the League of Legends community.

See you on the rift, Riot responseBot"

ladention3/18/2015, 1:36:12 AM12 votes

I totally feel you. In fact, I am the very noob you describe yourself to be, but possibly worse. Let me tell you an amazing story however. I was playing as Sion and was hard feeding at 0/8. I told our team I was sorry for feeding and that I am a bronze 5 noob. Our Lucian , who was super fed (ended 21/1), said he didn't care that I was feeding, just stick with our team, and let them initiate. I ended 0/10/9, but our team won and after lucian's talk I only died 2 more times and got lots of assists. No one raged at me at all. That is the effect being nice to noobs has, it wins you games.

http://matchhistory.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/#match-details/NA1/1761520334/49314315?tab=overview

Enkidusmurf3/17/2015, 6:08:35 PM10 votes

Glad you posted this. I've wondered what makes people do this a lot myself. (Hell, I've met ragers in ARAM. That just boggles the mind.)

To ragers: How are we supposed to improve if we get flamed in normal games?

Also, I know people say that it's because they're competitive, and they want to win; don't you? But if you want to win, the fast track is not berating your struggling teammate. In fact, that sounds more like a cheap way to shield your vulnerable ego from the loss which you have already decided to concede without a fight.

The fast-track to victory when a player is trying his best but failing hard, is to tell him what to do differently, exercise patience, and help as much as possible.

Ultimately, though, I think the internet has successfully allowed many people to pretend that the character and name on the screen does not represent a real person, and thus you can say whatever you want. Really sad, how technological progress has led to so much social regress.

Kapppaccino3/17/2015, 5:00:54 PM7 votes

I know them feels. I hate when someone on my team is being harassed when they say " first time ____". That's what's normals are for! To try different things. People just care so much about winning, they think that by raging at people they'll magically improve.

Thefriendlyorc3/17/2015, 9:00:39 PM4 votes

I'd rather have 9001 noobs that just need a guiding hand in my games over toxic afkers, trolls and people who rage about minor things, because most new players typically take advice, follow instructions, with the latter three, its nothing but pure arrogance, disregard for your fellow team mates and opponents.

PlsTouchMeGently3/17/2015, 8:12:01 PM4 votes

Completely understand you. I hate when people are like that, especially in normals. The other day in ranked, though, I actually had someone start flaming at me in champion select because I said "Let's try to stay positive and not flame at each other, no matter how this game goes". Of course, I muted him right when we got in game, but people like that just sicken me.

rtbf2216514123/17/2015, 6:52:09 PM4 votes

You conveniently left out if someone says they are new and don't listen to experienced players.

RamboDash153/17/2015, 8:24:59 PM3 votes

It wins me games sometimes. They had a fed Yasuo and a fed Shyvana but their Draven was so toxic they were all playing poorly and surrendered just so they didn't have to play with him any more.

Draven : "This dumbass Morg keeps taking all my kills!"

Meanwhile Morg has one kill

Nucleophilic atk3/17/2015, 10:47:39 PM3 votes

I am completely fine with this level of baddie in normal games. That is what they are for. I think the problem arises when other people of your skill try to play ranked. This causes a toxic environment and those players should be banned. Then, you would see "toxic language" decrease drastically. Their current system will never work because it is just putting a band-aid over the problem instead of fixing it. Just my 2 cents worth at least.

IcyPepper3/17/2015, 6:15:30 PM2 votes

Someone once told me that the whole Riot fact about people playing better if you don't harass them was "a bullshit statistic."

He was proven wrong in that game when everyone on the team somehow didn't miraculously play better as he raged at everyone.

Nagirah3/17/2015, 9:40:50 PM2 votes

I know that feel. Just earlier today I got Katarina in ARAM. I got flamed and called a noob for not being able to do anything against their ridicilous hard CC team comp. Apparently getting Kata is 100% win. Usually I get to be in peace in ARAM, but the flamers seem to be spreading there too...

I just don't get the people who flame. It won't magically make me play better, more likely it does the opposite effect. Being a long term MMORPG player getting into this toxic community was my worst gaming experience ever. I love this game, but I hate the fact I need to mute the players im meant to do teamwork with...

xNameless3/19/2015, 6:50:17 AM2 votes

I have a theory. Work with me here.

I heard a wise man say that "Stress is related to identity." While this may not be true in every case, I think it makes sense here.

The short version:

"I think I am good at video games."

"I am not performing very well in this game." (or at least the 0/7 stats claim he is not doing well)

"But I am not bad at video games! I am quite good! Therefore, it must be someone else's fault!"

Considering yourself a skilled player and performing poorly in a video game causes cognitive dissonance which in part is defined as "stress which is caused by being confronted by new information that conflicts with existing beliefs, ideas, or values." In the above example, the player's self-perception and belief is that he is a skilled player - perhaps better than most! But this belief is confronted with the experience of performing poorly, and this dissonance causes stress. This stress causes discomfort and causes the player to lash out at whoever they believe is at fault for their mistakes.

The only way to fix this, is to accept that even skilled players can perform poorly. Watch any LCS match, and you will not see every pro player going 10/0 in the game. To get a kill, someone must die. And sometimes that someone is you, because - even though you are a skilled player - someone may be more skilled than you.

Even if it isn't "our fault," we must ask ourselves "what could I have done differently in this situation?" Nobody is perfect, and we all have ways we can improve - otherwise we'd all be in the Challenger bracket! It is a team game, and other people will impact your performance - in some cases, maybe even throw the game. But there is always something you can do to help change the outcome, and it usually isn't "get pissed off at the person you think is at fault for everything."

That's my theory.

-xN

TL;DR

People who think they are "skilled players" often ignore the fact that there is always some way for them to improve as well, and instead of immediately searching for what someone else did wrong, we should all be asking ourselves in every situation "what could I have done differently to change this outcome?" Because there is always a way to improve our own skill. Asking someone else to be a better player will never make us better players.

UPfreely3/17/2015, 6:01:44 PM2 votes

there's no real community in this game, if riot introduced a system where players could group up easier and make more friends it would make amazing progress at cleaning up the community(or at least you could play with like minded players) it would even help their e$ports scene, increase the amount people play their game and move towards a more positive atmosphere.

Tormyth3/18/2015, 8:12:18 AM2 votes

{quoted}

Now don't get me wrong, in many cases I can understand a little bit of toxicity from people.

You won lane but everyone else lost hard? Ok, a bit of a reason there.

Youre in promos and someone is trolling? Alright, I understand

Multiple games in a row with afks/feeders? I feel for you

But when someone explains to you both in champ select and in game that theyre new and not particularly skilled, why are you going to start raging at them when they do poorly? Do you expect them to be lying? Do you think that your very presence should somehow lift them up skill wise? Im at a loss.

Im a noob. I know this. Its the main reason I stick to normal games for right now. But, for reasons I don't fully understand, I typically find myself playing with/against golds/plats and sometimes even diamonds. Im not going to pretend to understand Ritos matchmaking system, because im sure it makes about as much sense as some of the balance decisions they make. But as of right now, im 90/92 win/loss. Im down 2 games and yet im still playing with golds/plats in every game.

Just today, I played a game in which I last picked Vel'Koz into Ahri. Apparently this wasn't a very smart move, but I wasn't aware of that fact. I explained to my team that im a newbie, but that id do my best. I then proceeded to get destroyed in lane by this Ahri. I couldn't do anything about it, as it seemed no matter where I was she could just dive ult up to me and kill me with patriot-missile level precision on her Charm. No matter how I tried to juke, she always managed to land it. It was pretty impressive really, hats off to her.

Of course, some of my teammates decided they wanted to start raging about it though. Complaining that I lost our team the entire game (which, maybe I did, but do be fair I never saw Panth try to gank and get me back in it or anything) despite the fact that bot didn't do that great either. Panth decided to blame his lost lane on me as well because Ahri roamed top and ganked him twice for kills, even though I pinged her MIA every single time she wasn't in mid lane.

I just don't understand it. I TOLD YOU that I wasn't a very good player. I TOLD YOU THAT, and yet youre going to start flipping out about my performance anyways? If you want a more stable and evenly matched game environment, go play ranked where youll be playing with properly skilled players, don't go into normal and flame someone that TELLS YOU THEYRE A NOOB.

Of course, I report these people after the game for being dicks, but I just don't feel like it amounts to anything. Of course im sure they report me as well for anything from unskilled player to intentionally feeding despite the fact that I never give up in games and never troll. These peoples attitudes are just so...childish...

/end rant

TL;DR The MMR system needs to be reworked or something because it doesn't seem like it works properly. And I feel like player toxicity needs to be addressed in a more visible manner, at least to the people that are submitting reports. Something like a message from Rito that says:

"Hey there -player-! We were just letting you know that -toxic player-, who you reported for -reasons-, has been issued -punishment- in keepings with the Summoners Code! Have a good day!"

You know, to let people know that reporting actually accomplishes something.

hey madman im not the best player skill wise but i have a lot of knowledge on the game and i would like to think im pretty nice when i give suggestions or advice i added you in game ign arethemis though it may or may not show up as archaic entity since i recently bought a name change well im going to bed by the way im in pacific timezone so it's easier to coordinate look forward to playing with you i need practice mechanically and i could teach you some things in the process seeya soon? :D

OyddAWqJ5r3/18/2015, 9:35:32 PM2 votes

You win way more games when you are being a positive player and congratulating teammates on their accomplishments. Most people can't seem to deal with flame so for the most part just don't say anything. But if you are confident you can put out the flames then by all means do so, your team will benefit greatly from it.

Less players on tilt = higher chance of victory.

If someone makes a mistake, blame it on yourself and they'll usually come back with a "No that was my bad". Works every time :P

Even if it's completely unrelated like you're mid and jungle ganks top you can say "I shoulda pinged that jungle was going top, my bad". Players like teammates backing them up, even in mistakes. Just don't encourage mistakes if that makes sense.

Respakt3/18/2015, 10:31:38 PM2 votes

Dota 2 sends you a response that they have taken action against a player you have reported and gives you additional reports (you can only report like 4 people a week something, idk the exact numbers) and I got to say, its very satisfying knowing that some punk is going to get punished for ruining part of your life, especially since you cannot surrender in dota.

Also, I don't report newbs but instead flamers and trolls or people who are obviously trying to throw. The are, however some noobs worth reporting, if I keep politely telling them they are out of position and need to move to a safer one, speak english, and ignore me and die more than once or twice, I really can't tolerate it, newb or not. Its stuff like not communicating and co-operating or repreatedly making a simple mistake over and over again such as diving too far or trying to fight someone two levels up under their turret for example after an explanation not to do that and why they shouldn't repeatedly that I report them.(not saying OP does these, just sayin some people don't co-operate and deserve a report)

LOL Spammer3/19/2015, 1:51:19 AM2 votes

TBH: A little under 50% win rate isn't bad.

Gorgiolio3/17/2015, 8:00:40 PM1 votes

I only get mad when I actually tell the "new players" what they are doing wrong, and they either tell me to fluff off or just ignore it all together.

  • Hey dude, try working on your cs. You're falling behind in game.

  • You need to stop being so aggressive and shoving your lane all the way in with no vision.

  • Be sure to group when we go for objectives

There can be many more examples of me trying to help, then those individuals blowing me off. So, while some people may be unwilling to help newbies, at the same time those newbies can be completely unwilling to accept our help. (Also, with how many resources are available that excuse of being new is going to disappear very soon. Go look at some stuff on youtube, observe some good players that are streaming, Lolclass is a good source too. So, maybe mechanics wise you might need to get better, but being really good at all the other things at a low level will make up for it.)