It's Time We Had a Serious Conversation About the Report System
Before I begin I would like to clarify a few things. This post is not a Q_Q post, nor is it a post asking for a reversal on a ban decision. This is not a "why are people so toxic" post and this is certainly not a post about how to reform as a player. This post is focused on a simple question: Is it worth reforming in this game? In other words, does League of Legends as a game and Riot as a company provide a sufficient incentive to players to ensure "good behavior" is a sought after trait. While I can understand the instantaneous backlash to this post and the comments claiming good behavior is a reward in itself, we must take the perspective of a toxic player and understand if they would want to "reform".
One last note, I will admit I myself am occasionally a toxic player. While I have good times and bad times, I continuously engage in verbal harassment of other summoners as well as a rare instance of intentional feeding, however, I am not here to advocate for myself. I do not condone toxicity and I can understand its implications on other players, however, it is critical we still evaluate the question.
Background: League of Legends is toxic. There is no denying in a game as large as this one that toxicity would not emerge, however, for this game it appears that it has an acute toxicity. While various articles and "academics" have theorized why, regardless this game has a unique problem. Thus realizing that toxicity is so rampant, it is critical for Riot Games to promote a system that would "cleanse" the toxicity if you will. Yet, after literal years and countless report systems (who remembers the Tribunals?), the toxicity in League persists. Once again I will admit I have been chat restricted on two occasions if I remember correctly, as well as receiving a one time ban of two weeks. Yet, despite the punishments, and no doubt countless reports, I have not changed in my behavior. Again let me clarify: I do not condone toxicity and I understand it is an unhealthy behavior.
The System: The reporting system in League of Legends has gone through countless overhauls. Originally Riot implemented a simple report system, however, as the game grew in popularity -and thus logical more toxic - they quickly switched over to the Tribunal. This system focused on players within the community deciding punishments based upon a western court system. The offender would be provided a capability to state their case, while others would be allowed to showcase evidence suggesting malicious behavior. Players would then decide whether or not to punish the player based upon information gathered. While this system was interesting and the closest to "real world" justice systems, Riot retired the Tribunal in 2014 after an abuse of a IP incentive to vote guilty. For the next two years or so Riot would implement the system close to what we have today. Utilizing an automated system in tandem with players sending in report tickets, this system was significantly more behind closed doors. I would suggest this system was the worst for the rehabilitation of toxic players. Having been personally punished under this system, it felt overly centralized and that I didn't understand what I was really being punished for. Additionally, this system did not provide any incentive besides "you won't be banned/restricted". Finally that leads us to the system we have been working with over the last season or so. This system, much like the past, also works based upon a an automated system with assistance of report tickets; however, in this system they included an incentive, if you can really call it that, of community banners. While some may claim this provides an incentive to become a more friendly player, as someone who has nearly obtained rank 3 in this system - despite constant abusive messaging - it is clear there are some problems. Essentially, this system operates by providing an internal system in which players are rewarded with honors. A certain amount of honor moves you up a step within a community rank until upon receiving three (the last time I checked) in which you are promoted a level and in tandem you receive a banner over your border.
The Problems: Honors do not work. Being completely honest, I rarely if ever, provide honors to those who are genuinely nice players. Instead, the common trend is providing honors to those who performed the best on the team. Despite toxicity on either team, the player that performed the best is likely receiving the honors from other players. While rewarding good play is no doubt important, it misses the mark. Riot has incentive players to outperform their teammates, despite this being an inherent quality within competitive online games. This alone is a problem as it does not promote healthy behavior, but additionally the report system still maintains the problems of the past. Punishments appear to be given randomly and without much justification. While I am in no way suggesting players that get banned do not deserve it, I believe it is a vital step in pushing these individuals down the path of improved behavior to "sit down" with the player and discuss their problem. Simply stating you have been banned for toxicity in game or intentionally feeding does little more that aggravate toxic players. Moreover, with a seemingly absence amount of reports in order to ever lead to action being taken by Riot it feels hopeless for players reporting the behavior and nonsensical for those engaging in the behavior. Simply put, the report system needs to increase clarity and move the system back into the open. While I am not suggesting a full return to the Tribunal system, I would highly recommend steps Riot has promised in the past. More specifically, Riot should provide players when their report has actually resulted in a player being punished. This is vital as it ensures this toxicity is actually being policed in the first place. Additionally Riot must implement a better reward system for friendly players. While I understand it is meant to be the expected, that simply is not the case right now. Lastly, and likely most difficult to implement, Riot must create a rehabilitation system. To explain why I'm simply going to tell you what I or my friends did every time I got reported: I just created a new account. While I may not have all the champions on the other accounts, it still enables me to circumvent any punishment Riot sends forth my way. Essentially, punishments for toxicity are little more than slight inconveniences. If Riot wants to ensure the toxic player base is properly dealt with this loophole must be dealt with. Moreover, when providing punishment provide advice or links to articles that allow players to learn how to control their behavior. The number one reason players are toxic in this game is because of tilt or frustration from external factors (in many cases both simultaneously), thus Riot has an incentive to ensure that this behavior is properly treated. While I am not suggesting Riot must go out of their way and buy all of us a psychiatrist, simply linking a post to how to control your anger would be at least a good symbolic step in the right direction.
Conclusion: League of Legends is a toxic game right now and the report system in broken, however, there is hope. From the ground work to systems that have worked before to an understanding that a problem exists, Riot can do a great deal in curbing the toxicity in this community. Ultimately, if Riot Games wants to ensure this game can be disassociated with its toxic image, they must provide a proper reason to actually engage in friendly behavior. If not, then we will be guaranteed a future in which toxic players disparately stay toxic as they have no reason not to.
I just realized this post is way longer than I originally thought so here's a proper TLDR: Toxic players can circumvent punishment, the current system lacks clarity leaving both the healthy community hopeless and the toxic community with no clear threat to their behavior, and there is a lack of rehabilitation to address the problem of toxicity. Lastly, Riot must also release information of toxicity in order for the community to become more informed and have proper discussions on the matter.
