Boards›Player Behavior

Riot and the regulation of language.

x3ARCx··2 votes·1,099 views

Restricting and regulating the words and language used in League of Legends is hurtful for the community and for the actual people oppressed by matters of which the words are meant to represent. Words like n**** are not used for establishing or labeling people of African American descent in League of legends. Nor is anyone in League of Legends (Of my knowledge) oppressed by this. Words do not have the meaning of which the media has labeled it. same goes for words like fk. It has nothing to do with sexual intercourse of any sort. And nobody believes it has. This is why, when the general public says "FC" out loud, nobody pretends to take the literal meaning of the word serious. Same goes with words like NR. If one player was to say to another: "Hey my N*R, how are you holding up in your lane". If the context of which the word is used in is nonmalicious then it should under NO circumstance be treated as such. The impact of taboo words highly depends on the context of which it is used.

The riot language system should of course under no circumstance accept continuous malicious talk. Especially not when the game is played in addition to adults, also by children of whom are to be protected from harassment and verbal abuse. Even so, the language of which is spoken is based on the community of which is playing the game. Even if words like NR, FT etc. are regulated, absurdities will be taken to circumvent the restrictions. This is seen as people baiting the ban system by spelling the taboo words differently. NR becomes NUgger / Nagger / %%%%%% etc. FT becomes %%%get/Facts etc. If Children are playing this game, they always have the option to blur out foul language. A very good initiative from Riot Games. Yet, when the words become taboo or to some degree Illegal/dangerous to your account, people will find ways to use the language desired without the punishment of using such words. This is done regularly by misspelling bad words so that the automated system has no way of detecting it.

Additionally, riot has a way of banning the player from using words they allowed to be used in the first place. You are "Allowed" to say N*R, but are banned of such a word regardless of the context if you where to be reported that game, regardless of the circumstances. Either ban the word completely (Which I would argue is doing no good) or do not punish people for using the word.

Bottom line. The restriction of taboo words is of no actually good to the community. If they ought to ban words they should additionally not allow players to be banned on grounds of using a word alone with disregard of the context of the word. Thirdly, if they are to protect the minor community then disable chat completely for accounts with owners under a certain age. Or as a minimum restrict communication between the toddler-account and the well-behaving player base. If a player has a bad game / bad day / generally speaking is a douchebag, leave it up to the individual himself to decide what he will do. Players are handed the gift of the mute-button and are capable of disabling/enabling taboo words.

43 Comments

ModUlanopo17 votes

No. Just no.

This argument simply doesn't fly. It never has and it never will.

There are many reasons for this, but foremost among them is the fact that context cannot live solely in the heart of the speaker. What you are saying is that simply mouthing a platitude like "I meant it as a joke" or "It's not intended as an insult" excuses pretty much anything.

That's not the way this works. The burden is on you as the speaker to limit (or ideally eliminate) the offense you give to others in a particular space. If you don't like what people consider offensive - and League players are, as a whole, more than clear about what they find offensive - then you can go someplace more amenable to your particular method of expressing yourself.

Mindspeaker4 votes

{quoted}

No. Just no.

This argument simply doesn't fly. It never has and it never will.

There are many reasons for this, but foremost among them is the fact that context cannot live solely in the heart of the speaker. What you are saying is that simply mouthing a platitude like "I meant it as a joke" or "It's not intended as an insult" excuses pretty much anything.

That's not the way this works. The burden is on you as the speaker to limit (or ideally eliminate) the offense you give to others in a particular space. If you don't like what people consider offensive - and League players are, as a whole, more than clear about what they find offensive - then you can go someplace more amenable to your particular method of expressing yourself.

This X 1000000000000000000000000000000 to the power of 1000000000000000000000000000000

x3ARCx1 votes

I am saying that RIOT games are too sensitive. Sensitivity will not help solve a clearly deep-rooted problem in the American society. If you want to get work done and fix the problem, you better get your hands dirty. Regardless of your acceptance of the argument or not, it has been shown, historically, that if a taboo word is allowed to be used it will have its meaning relinquished, like the word N has had. I get the idea of banning a malicious communication. But a simple word itself is not malicious. It the person using it in the specific context.

ModUlanopo4 votes

it has been shown, historically, that if a taboo word is allowed to be used it will have its meaning relinquished

You should probably avoid saying things that are this demonstrably incorrect. I know you're in EUW, but nothing about that particular racial slur has been "relinquished" here in the US.

x3ARCx1 votes

I did not say it was the case for the word. I said it could be if people would stop being insensitive towards it. I do have to mention that both Charli Hebdo In France and the Muhammad drawings in Denmark helped the EU open up on a subject that had been taboo for a very long time. Debate helped get a broader and more nuanced view of immigration, extremists and such. This is also why I hold the opinion of an open debate and an open forum. Regardless of the Channel. Even something as simple as a game could help develop a better relation to racial discrimination or as a minimum give the matter some much-needed awareness.

ModUlanopo4 votes

I do have to mention that both Charli Hebdo In France and the Muhammad drawings in Denmark helped the EU open up on a subject that had been taboo for a very long time. Debate helped get a broader and more nuanced view of immigration, extremists and such.

Wow... I hadn't realized racism had been cured and Syrian refugees were being accepted with open arms. I will confess to having been somewhat occupied with local politics, but good on you guys!

Sarcasm aside, this remains a terrible argument.

I said it could be if people would stop being insensitive towards it.

I want you to let people punch you in the stomach because if you were less sensitive to being punched in the stomach, you would be a much happier person. That's what you are effectively saying to people affected by slurs.

x3ARCx1 votes

Very immature.

It is never this or that. You clearly realize that. Why even pretend?

The refugee crisis gained from open debate. The public view of Muslims and extremists did change. Lovely to talk with a guy knowing absolutely nothing about European politics. What did i expect? The Bush Administrations Ventures to the middle east CLEARLY show an American and superior attitude towards extremists.

zPOOPz3 votes

The end of a discuss is marked by the start of personal insult.

Which one of you is the immature one again?

ModUlanopo3 votes

Let it be. I suspect this person is not generally used to being vigorously challenged in debate. Plus, I was venting a little and it's okay for him to call me out on that.

ModUlanopo3 votes

{quoted}

Very immature.

I'm curious how you expected me to respond. The very notion that the Charlie Hebdoo attack ushered in a new golden age of racial enlightenment in Europe is ludicrous on its face. Did you forget the new, ultra-right French government elected into office partially on the demagoguery in the wake of that attack? Did you not hear the arguments for Brexit based on an increased fear of brown people? Have you seen exactly zero pictures of Syrians dying because they're the wrong kind of refugee? I mean, really?

I feel you're failing to understand the two separate points here. On the one hand, a meaningful and ongoing dialogue on race is important for every culture at all times. You won't hear me disagree with that. What I object to are the ideas that permitting racism is an essential component of that conversation or that any part of the burden falls on the target to "tolerate more."

ModUlanopo1 votes

The refugee crisis gained from open debate. The public view of Muslims and extremists did change. Lovely to talk with a guy knowing absolutely nothing about European politics. What did i expect? The Bush Administrations Ventures to the middle east CLEARLY show an American and superior attitude towards extremists.

You know what they say about assumptions, dude. I'm a stone-cold liberal, born and bred. My grandmother and I were doing voter registration drives in the south in the late 70's as our own personal "freedom summers." My Eagle project was refurbishing a house to serve as a domestic abuse shelter.

Plus, I voted for Clinton :)

All that is in no way germane to the argument, however. In general, when you make it personal, you've pretty much conceded.

ModUlanopo5 votes

This is also why I hold the opinion of an open debate and an open forum. Regardless of the Channel.

League is not and never will be an appropriate forum for this type of debate or exchange.

Jo0o3 votes

You sound like a bunch of meming teenagers calling somebody racial slurs for losing lane is going to solve racism.

Eedat7 votes

Words like n** are not used for establishing or labeling people of African American descent in League of legends.

Well I'm black and disagree. I don't have a problem if you're using it among your friends in a friendly way (like 'my ###ga Shaco' when you're duoed with him) but dont use that word with me when I dont know you. We're not cool like that and your ass is getting reported. Also worth noting, this is my opinion NOT Riot's rules

As far as the other stuff goes, you don't get punished at all for cursing. You get banned for cursing at someone. Like if you say "wow I'm fucking bad" after messing up a play you dont get punished but "our jungler fucking sucks" will get you banned. You get it?

x3ARCx1 votes

Which is the point. Let the community decide. if you disagree with the use of the word, you are allowed to report the player for such. But do NOT let the automated system decide if a word should or should not be used ESPECIALLY if it does not know the context.

You do get banned for saying the word "%%%%%%" and getting reported. Regardless if you said %%%%%% in a friendly context or even to a friend. That is how the automated system works.

EvilDustMan5 votes

{quoted}

Which is the point. Let the community decide. if you disagree with the use of the word, you are allowed to report the player for such. But do NOT let the automated system decide if a word should or should not be used ESPECIALLY if it does not know the context.

You do get banned for saying the word "%%%%%%" and getting reported. Regardless if you said %%%%%% in a friendly context or even to a friend. That is how the automated system works.

The community did decide. The community has always voted in the tribunal against the words and always reported them. You are in the minority here.

Eedat1 votes

The tribunal voted to punish legit everything lol. Part of the reason it's been gone for years now

x3ARCx1 votes

The community is not deciding. If you say one of the no-go-words and coincidently get reported for any reason, then you will get banned. Because RIOT chooses to make a word Illegal. Not the community.

ISOzHell6 votes

{quoted}

The community is not deciding. If you say one of the no-go-words and coincidently get reported for any reason, then you will get banned. Because RIOT chooses to make a word Illegal. Not the community.

And I am glad they do, again thank you Riot.

x3ARCx1 votes

Your initial implementation was false. And this is why I cannot argue with you. You disregard facts.

Jo0o3 votes

Riot's system is built upon the community's wishes. You're in the minority.

EvilDustMan3 votes

{quoted}

The community is not deciding. If you say one of the no-go-words and coincidently get reported for any reason, then you will get banned. Because RIOT chooses to make a word Illegal. Not the community.

Right, they made certain words straight to 14 day ban. However, besides KYS, all the others have been words that were always found guilty.

ModUlanopo1 votes

Um, the Tribunal - which the IFS is heavily based upon - was always 3-5% more strict than Riot would be if left to develop their own guidelines.

Plus the IFS evolves in response to what people report and don't report.

ModUlanopo2 votes

We're not cool like that

Quote of the day!

Koiyaki6 votes

As an african american myself i never use the n word, it is decriminating, i personally dont like it, and although there are some trying to push the negtive feeling s from thw word and make it thrir own, thats isnt how it used on league i can tell u that.

Most of the time i see that word used, its used to insult and opress those its targeting. Also i find no reason to have the nword as a club tag either.

But opinion may be ur opinion and I'm not gonna ask u to change it but for a large company, taking the possibility of something being construed as negative is better than assuming only a few or soone will get offended. Assumptions are never a better option that eliminating a potential problem in an environment ment as grand scale as league.

(Just my 87 cents)

Jo0o5 votes

Context and intent in the case of slurs like the n-word doesn't matter, because it's unreasonable to expect people to understand intent and context through written word. Furthermore, even in cases where the word isn't used in a hateful fashion, it's still extremely likely that it is seen as disrespectful and inappropriate.

Is it crazy to disallow hate speech? I mean, it's comparable to any sort of public function. You wouldn't greet a coworker or client with "What's up, my (n-word)?", would you? Doing so would get you fired, and folks would generally agree that it was the appropriate action to take.

ISOzHell4 votes

I would have to agree with blocking such words, they are not needed in a conversation anyway!

And the media was not the ones who labeled the N**** word. People should educate themselves on the meaning of the word, as it was used in regards to slavery.

And besides that it's just an awful sounding word to begin with with, a very uneducated sound coming out of someones mouth, when it is spoken.

Thank you Riot for blocking words that really never make a person look good while saying them.

Jo0o4 votes

It sounds so bad because it's a deliberately dehumanizing word. That's why it became so widely used in the first place. A hard-r n-word is something less than a person, possibly even just property. It's pretty fucked up.

x3ARCx1 votes

Regardless of your opinion. The word itself is not representing slavery, nor is it representative for racism. The media did not invent the word. They invented the label you give it. If you like or dislike a word I still don't think you or riot. Anybody. Should be choosing what words to use and not to. Not to sound too corny but I do consider freedom of speech as key to a democratic society as well as a system. Instead of valuing words as bad or good, let instead the community decide. That is what the report button is for. At the current moment, some words are very illegal within the Riot system and will give you an immediate chat ban if said combined with a report regardless of context or circumstances.

ISOzHell4 votes

{quoted}

Regardless of your opinion. The word itself is not representing slavery, nor is it representative for racism. The media did not invent the word. They invented the label you give it. If you like or dislike a word I still don't think you or riot. Anybody. Should be choosing what words to use and not to. Not to sound too corny but I do consider freedom of speech as key to a democratic society as well as a system. Instead of valuing words as bad or good, let instead the community decide. That is what the report button is for. At the current moment, some words are very illegal within the Riot system and will give you an immediate chat ban if said combined with a report regardless of context or circumstances.

Research your history bud, because you are 100% wrong.. That's all I am going to say in regards to your comments.

x3ARCx1 votes

It is not representing slavery as to date. To think otherwise is naive.

Jo0o4 votes

I'm not sure what country you're from, being on EUW. You should know that it VERY MUCH evokes slavery over here in the States. And you're playing an international game.

x3ARCx1 votes

I think it is quite opposite. A matter such as this being delicate and all HAS to be open for debate. Instead of putting it into a box and throwing that box into the ocean, I think in my honest opinion that debate, jokes, talks, you name it are essential to fixing a clearly unhealthy relation to race and a dark past.

Jo0o3 votes

Oh, absolutely! But the place for that debate is VERY much not mid-game of League.

ISOzHell3 votes

{quoted}

It is not representing slavery as to date. To think otherwise is naive.

It did and will always mean slavery and racism. Putting a time stamp on this does not change the words history, nor should it. It is a reminder of how humans should not act and be towards each other. As any past mistakes are a reminder of how we should not act.

And besides it's still an awful sounding word, so good riddance, and thank you Riot once again for blocking it. This will never change so I guess you shall just have to deal with it. ;) I have wasted enough of my time on this matter, you take care.

Jo0o2 votes

I suspect there's a cultural disconnect at work here.

ModUlanopo3 votes

It's more erasure born of privilege. I guess calling for a big kumbayah group hug makes all the bad go away.

Sir Ticklesword2 votes

Whether you agree or not, the n word is labeled as hate speech here. It is not tolerated and is severely punished if used under any context. Riot simply said don't be a dick. The community decided what being a dick means, Riot placed systems to enforce what the community wants. We want an environment where we can play a game and not have to read stupid crap that had no place in the game to begin with. It's really that simple.

x3ARCx1 votes

The community did not decide. Riot took the liberty of deciding for them.

zPOOPz4 votes

you will NEVER be punished for anything if you are not reported. The IFS will ONLY triggered if there is a report against you. So the fact that you get reported for saying it means the community decided against it. Rito didn't report you, your fellow players did.

SKRRRRRRAT1 votes

disable chat filter in client options

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