Chest Rewards Denied to Unrestricted Individuals

**TL;DR

• Riot's Chest system is blocking me from rewards, despite my restriction ending a while ago

• I've had one restriction in four years, which happened a week before chests released

• Riot support unhelpful, tells me to post to forums

• Posts chat logs for those who want to read - top block is context **

So recently I got my first restriction of my four year League career. It was a 10 game mute - pretty much the smallest restriction you can receive. Long story short, we had 3 AFKs and the remaining team member wouldn't let the game end. We got into an argument, name-calling ensued, and I got a restriction. Was it warranted? Sure. Though the context of the chat log was extremely negative, I shouldn't have gotten that low anyway. (It was mainly me saying that guy was a "daft moron"). Anywho, moving on.

The FAQ's regarding Hextech Chests state that any player CURRENTLY RESTRICTED shall not receive rewards. My restriction happened a week before Hextech was released. Furthermore, my restriction was completed within two days. Hextech Chests got released a week later and I find myself "ineligible to receive rewards due to behavioral restrictions." Instantly, I flocked to the boards and the Hextech announcement to see what I could do. Surely getting punished one time in four years wouldn't leave me to be removed from rewards. Not only that, but rewards for an unreleased incentive program. I checked to see other players receiving the same treatment, despite Riot's FAQ. I contacted support and was met with the same dull, unhelpful response they always send. (Support chat logs below)

This is not listed anywhere in the FAQ by Riot and flat out contradicts what was said. Not only that, but when asked to define the reformation period and the stipulations regarding reform, I was met with the Riot employee telling me he could do no such thing. At this point, I am pretty fed up with Riot's invisible rules and nonexistent player behavior tribunal. A bowl full of promises for things that never happen topped with the most unhelpful support group and you've got yourself a shit sundae.

In regards to the employee's request, here is the board with the chat logs:

** _ Mike Teavee March 16, 2016 22:56_

So Hextech chests came out. Last week I received my first ever punishment. It was a 10 game chat restriction. I was placed in a game where 3 people went AFK, leaving us to 2v5 in a ranked. The other guy and I got into an argument because he didn't want to quit and I just wanted to go to a new game so I was pushing FF. Some of the people were technically still in the game so the FF vote was always denied. I got a restriction for calling him a "daft moron" when he kept saying we could win. This is literally after two days of non-stop AFK's (I seriously had around 20 AFK's in two days). With that being said, the restriction was complete within two days and I went on about my business. Hextech came out and I got excited - I've been waiting for this for a while. Well, I get in-game and realize it is giving me a message that I am ineligible for rewards based on behavioral experience. One punishment in my entire time playing and I am ineligible. Looking at the FAQs, they stated that it only denies rewards to players CURRENTLY undergoing punishment. After checking the forums, someone said the "reform rate" for a 10 game ban was 3 months. THREE MONTHS for one game. A previous non-offender getting denied rewards. I play this game frequently. I have put money into your company. I have been an avid player of this game since late season 2. One small infraction and I'm denied entirely? How is that fair? Not only that, but when I posted on the forums, it was instantly deleted and not addressed. On top of that, Riot's answers are inconclusive with the reform return rate. According to Riot, my chest should be working.**

****[Riot Employee] March 17, 2016 20:27

Hello Mike,

It looks like you’ve recently been punished for behavioral issues. Players who’ve been punished will no longer earn Hextech Chests through achieving an S rank on the Rift, nor will they earn key fragments after matchmade victories. This restriction will be lifted after your punishment ends and you’ve shown clear improvement. Because it’s based on your personal behavior, there’s no set date or time when this will happen.

As for the forum post you mentioned, will you be able to provide a link to that post so I can investigate into this?

Thank you.

[Riot Employee] The Forgotten Blade Princess Player Support Specialist Howling Abyss Expert

Mike Teavee March 18, 2016 17:37

It's within the FAQ on the Hextech Crafting announcment. http://na.leagueoflegends.com/en/news/game-updates/features/hextech-crafting-now-live-na Yet this link on the forums seems wildly vague. As a summoner who has received their first punishment in 4 years of gameplay, I see this restriction on a feature that hadn't even been released as far-fetched. The game was a bad one for everyone involved. I got punished. I played through my games and have continued to play through with a good attitude. However, I don't want to be denied rewards due to a minor infraction along my entire gameplay history. Not only that, but Riot hasn't been known to follow-up very quickly on features and player behavior-specific issues. Case and point, the Tribunal being taken down years ago, only to sit with the same photo that brandished it originally. Despite Riot promising its prominence in the timeline of updates, it still sits idle. Same with the Reply system. Same with the Magma Chamber map. Same with pretty much everything. What I'm getting at here is that I am being punished and removed from a feature which wasn't released at the time of my punishment. Questions regarding this issue point to only the punishment of those who are currently restricted; which I am not. Answers regarding reform are so vague, that it's like asking someone to borrow $20 and they say yes, only to make no motion or recognition beyond that that you asked for $20. This is Riot. There was no warning about this (to my knowledge) being affected by punishments - especially beyond a restriction period. Look at my past chat logs, or any chat logs. You will see that - aside from a few games - I am mainly a pleasant person to play with. So my challenge is for Riot to stop boasting their "plans" and to instead take action. I would like my case to be looked at and to be given a chance for reformation recommendation so I can earn my Hextech rewards. Thank you. http://boards.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/c/player-behavior-moderation/ltOIrp1r-toxics-banned-from-hextech-crafting

[Riot Employee] March 18, 2016 20:41

Summoner,

We have a Player Behavior team in place dedicated to working with these requests, so I need to transfer your ticket. A Player Behavior Specialist will be contacting you as soon as they can.

Please keep in mind that we respond to tickets in the order we receive them, so ‘bumping’ your ticket by sending us additional messages will send it to the back of our queue. This might inadvertently delay our response :(

Thank you for your patience!

[Riot Employee] The Forgotten Blade Princess Player Support Specialist Howling Abyss Expert

[Riot Employee 2] Monday at 17:49

Hey there,

There is a decay process, however, it isn't based on time it's based on games played without negative behavior. We want to make sure players are putting forth the effort to fully reform their behavior so it can take a while before a player can become eligible for Hextech Crafting rewards. Unfortunately, we aren't able to disclose these requirements.

I checked out the game, and I think if another player provokes you, mute them immediately. In the mean time to work toward Hextech loot, I would take a break from chat by muting others, relying solely on smart pings, and maybe just playing as a group of 5 with friends.​

If you have any other questions or concerns, let me know.

[Riot Employee 2] Riot Player Support Zaun Wind Magic Research Division

Mike Teavee Monday at 21:22

I don't understand how I got barred from a future set of rewards due to one small restriction. Using the "just mute them" line instead of fixing a justice system that has been absent for years sounds a lot like a cop-out. Similar to the honors system, this just seems like a bunch of bull with invisible requirements. To remove the justice system yet punish people with invisible restrictions, even after their punishment has ended, seems like a ridiculous thing to do. If a player is being hateful and repeating toxic behavior in every game (i.e. AFK'ing, rage quitting, using offensive slurs with hateful intent) I could see this being relevant. But even then, I question Riot's intent behind hiding the reform requirements. Good behavior is supposed to be a goal to strive for, not a magical place in the clouds that no one knows how to get to. I shouldn't have to go into a game and spam the mute button just to not have the game end with me feeling worse than I did starting it. This game is competitive and disappointments happen, but I can honestly say that losing doesn't have the same effect on me that getting flamed for losing does. This, in my opinion, is a major downfall to Riot's secrecy regarding the issue. With respect, I would just like to propose the idea that I think the secrecy is bred out of ignorance. A lack of knowledge or understanding regarding the subject. Reform is a goal to work towards, taking little steps along the way. It shouldn't be this Area 51, unobtainable artifact.

[Riot Employee 2] Tuesday at 18:43

Hey again,

I understand you have some feedback, and I welcome you to bring that to our boards for visibility and the opportunity to open a discussion with fellow Summoners. You don't have to go into a game and mute everyone, it's just a suggestion to help keep you from displaying negative behavior. If you're confident you won't say anything negative in-game, you should be able to decay sooner and receive Hextech loot.

I believe this is a reform process. Starting with your account being restricted from chat, then being able to use chat freely, and then you'll be able to be rewarded for reform with Hextech loot. It's a goal to strive for by reforming negative behavior.

If you have any other questions or concerns, let me know.

[Riot Employee 2] Riot Player Support Zaun Wind Magic Research Division

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