Boards›Player Behavior

What is defined as "Offensive Language"?

BuuFuBuuBu··2 votes·1,109 views

So a few weeks back, I had a disagreement with the Tribunal. Personally wasnt a fan, but hey; it's Riots company, and if they're happy with the Tribunal, I can either accept it or play another game. However, that doesn't mean I ever want to end up on the Tribunal again. Risking my account, and (whether I thought I was at the time or not) ruining the fun for others is not an intention of mine. So, my idea of staying out of the Tribunal; use the chat only when absolutely necessary. However, I'm still nervous of ending up on the Tribunal again anyway, as I got a warning in-client after my last game for using Offensive Language. Now, as I previously mentioned, I hardly use chat at all now. The only two things I remember typing all game were (teamchat) "no Janna mid is not troll", and in all chat after the enemy Syndra said "gg, just five down mid its over" 13 minutes into the game, I responded "no. Don't be pussies, finish the game". Now, I had no malicious intent in saying that. I just wanted the game to be played, I didn't want them to just give up because thats no fun for anyone. I sincerely have been using the chat as little as possible, and even when tilted I've reminded myself that I don't want to risk losing my account, so I vent to myself instead of ingame. But it appears I'm still getting reported. Should I just stop using any words that could possibly be any form of swear word and just mute everyone every game? It feels like if I even step into chat to attempt to send anything, I may be risking another visit from the Tribunal. And i DONT want that. But it almost seems to ruin the functionality of chat at all if I have to be worried to use it...

23 Comments

Tract2 votes

This support article is a pretty rough summary: https://support.riotgames.com/hc/en-us/articles/201751874-Behavior-Worthy-of-a-Champion

Generally, just if it is insulting, just don't say it. Obviously, racial slurs, homophobic slurs, ect, threats, that kind of thing is not tolerated in any way either.

Tohob2 votes

just pretend you're in a gradeschool and all the kids are tattle-tales

Miss McSmithski, fahersom called Jimmy a doo-doo head!

stealthfox942 votes

fuck

Archer Drakul2 votes

Still not understanding why language is a problem. there IS a filter that IS toggleable. I could understand if it was 'avoiding the chat filter" or something along those lines. what exactly is the point of having a filter that people can turn off then complain about the language they see. granted racial and homophobic slurs should be bannable... but my point is still valid for other 'offensive' language.

Jubbinaut2 votes

[{quoted}](name=Archer Drakul,realm=NA,application-id=ZGEFLEUQ,discussion-id=U2KHVwUo,comment-id=0004,timestamp=2016-01-14T21:18:25.230+0000)

Still not understanding why language is a problem. there IS a filter that IS toggleable. I could understand if it was 'avoiding the chat filter" or something along those lines. what exactly is the point of having a filter that people can turn off then complain about the language they see. granted racial and homophobic slurs should be bannable... but my point is still valid for other 'offensive' language.

The filter itself only filters words, and with the exception of hate speech, none of the words the filter touches on are considered bannable. Profanity is perfectly acceptable, in and of itself. Which is a good thing for me, because I like to pepper my in-game statements with profanity (especially the self-deprecating ones - I feel like it gives them the proper "oomph").

Hate speech, though, is considered punishable because there's basically no appropriate or acceptable usage case in-game.

Archer Drakul2 votes

They could still add more words/phrases and several variants to those words to the filter and problem would be solved, you cant really change who people are, people should just deal with it or learn how to mute someone. and the words that are filtered are pretty much said in day to day life regularly (for a majority of people) so theres no point in filtering them. and lets face it theres probably 1.5% of players that would actually go as far as to say that they don't mind if there are 'children' in the game. I, personally would rather play with someone sitting there raging and spouting homophobic slurs at me (and I'm gay) than play with a child (any age below 16) whos actually not capable of understanding the strategy involved in playing this game

Jubbinaut1 votes

[{quoted}](name=Archer Drakul,realm=NA,application-id=ZGEFLEUQ,discussion-id=U2KHVwUo,comment-id=000400000000,timestamp=2016-01-14T22:37:59.833+0000)

you cant really change who people are, people should just deal with it or learn how to mute someone.

I don't think Riot's really trying to change who people are. They seem - at least to me - to be trying to change how people act, which is an entirely different enterprise. And I can't necessarily disagree with it - I don't think I should be responsible for "handling" some rager throwing a fit. Rather, I think he should be responsible for handling his own behavior.

and the words that are filtered are pretty much said in day to day life regularly (for a majority of people) so theres no point in filtering them.

That's why I turn my filter off. But then, as I said, the only things I know of that are both filtered and punishable are hate speech - which, as you said, should be punishable.

What I don't understand is why it has to be about "protecting children." I don't want to protect children from language - if I did, I'd be more careful with my own language. On the contrary, I just don't want to see people throwing temper-tantrums while I'm trying to play a game. I'm already not supremely awesome at the game - I don't need anybody making it harder on me by making enemies out of their teammates.

McAnnex2 votes

I'd report you for what you said just because I'd never want that language used in front of my kids who might play this game some day. I have very thick skin so I'm not at all personally offended, but I report offensive language even when it's not a personal offense. I don't even tell people in game that I'm going to, I just do it because I'm not interested in making you worse and don't have time to debate it in the game. So.... just stop saying things unless they are 100% positive or you will likely get banned.

BuuFuBuuBu1 votes

Maybe you should do a better job of moderating your children's online activity, instead of forcing your morals on others...

coeurloyal1 votes

And maybe you should avoid making offensive statements around strangers whose morals exclude your behavior. League is not an adult-only environment, and Riot recognizes that. You asked a question, and they answered with a legitimate response. Don't demean them for it or nobody will try to help.

BuuFuBuuBu1 votes

Firstly, I got the help I needed by people who actually told me where Riot stands. Secondly, that's not a legitimate response, because that person's report would not lead to punishment on my behalf (according to Riot's policies). Third, online interactions are not rated by the ESRB, and if Riot isn't trying to stop me from swearing, it's not anyone else's place to. I will follow Riot's rules, not some random person who allows their child to play a game with people and flips shit that people swear. But thanks for your speculation I guess. And some of us wish it was a slightly more adult environment; I'm still peeved that Graves is cigarless.

coeurloyal1 votes

But it is a legitimate response. You didn't ask what Riot's stance on the matter was, you asked whether you should "...Just stop using any words that could possibly be any form of swear word and just mute everyone every game". If you ask me, they fed you a direct answer to the question you asked.

Look, I sympathize with your situation, but taking a needless jab at his or her parenting skills because you didn't like their response is neither useful nor acceptable. All it does is make you look toxic and insulting from an outside standpoint (like mine), and that makes it really hard to take you seriously.

McAnnex1 votes

{quoted}

Maybe you should do a better job of moderating your children's online activity, instead of forcing your morals on others...

There's a lot of things that are offensive in nature that don't actually bother me and I'll continue to report people for their lack of decency as human beings, but thanks for the advice. My kids are too young to be on the internet, but thanks for the parenting advice.

BuuFuBuuBu1 votes

Report away. From what I can gather, it won't affect me, as I've done nothing punishable. And no, I don't care if your children (even when they grow older) are exposed to language on the internet, that as I said, is unrated according to the ESRB. So have a nice day :)

CHUNKY QUEEFS1 votes

It means someone is mad that you beat them. And they just troll hit this.

I get these warnings all the time when playing ranked 5s and didn't type all game.

It's pretty common knowledge that the new automated tribunal system is completely broken and now they've double downed on it and made punishments huge.

My advice, spam reports so you get others banned too.

Samus721 votes

Fascinating. An arbiter who is willing to tell you what to go do with yourself. Aren't you supposed to set an example? Or are you running for governor of Maine?

Jubbinaut1 votes

{quoted}

Fascinating. An arbiter who is willing to tell you what to go do with yourself. Aren't you supposed to set an example? Or are you running for governor of Maine?

I assume you're referring to me, and I find it fascinating that when I say I use profanity, you assume I'm negatively directing it at others.

But no, my profanity is either positively-toned ("Holy shit, Ez, great shot!") or self-deprecating ("Fucking hell, I can't believe I missed that taunt..."). In large part, that's because I try very hard to ensure that I never express negativity towards another player in chat. To my mind, that is a good example - and a fairly realistic one. But, well, y'know, that's just, like, my opinion, man.

EDIT: clarified a poorly phrased statement because it was poorly phrased. My bad. [zombie-brand-facepalm]

Samus721 votes

{quoted}

I assume you're referring to me, and I find it fascinating that when I say I use profanity, you assume I'm directing it at others.

But no, my profanity is either positively-toned ("Holy shit, Ez, great shot!") or self-deprecating ("Fucking hell, I can't believe I missed that taunt..."). In large part, that's because I try very hard to ensure that I never express negativity towards another player in chat. To my mind, that is a good example - and a fairly realistic one. But, well, y'know, that's just, like, my opinion, man.

Yes, I was talking to you.

I find that very few people are able to successfully walk the fine line you're talking about. You color your responses in such a manner that it's easy to fall to the other side of the line. Oops! Too late. Besides, I've never been one to accept the whole "I'm not cussing at you" argument. I can hear you. Constantly cussing outloud in public and saying "I wasn't directing the comments to anyone specifically" when you're asked to be quiet or leave will not save you.

You're an Arbiter. You're supposed to be a "cut above" the rest of us. You may not be a paid employee of Riot, but you're supposed to act almost as if you were since you're indirectly affiliated with them and conducting yourself in a more professional manner. And using profanity, in my opinion, isn't doing that.

Oh, well. Who cares what I think?

Jubbinaut1 votes

{quoted}

I find that very few people are able to successfully walk the fine line you're talking about. You color your responses in such a manner that it's easy to fall to the other side of the line. Oops! Too late. Besides, I've never been one to accept the whole "I'm not cussing at you" argument. I can hear you. Constantly cussing outloud in public and saying "I wasn't directing the comments to anyone specifically" when you're asked to be quiet or leave will not save you.

That's not really the argument I'm making, though. As I said, I do direct profanity to individuals. Specifically, I often use profanity when expressing a positive exclamation about a teammate's amazing play. I also often use profanity when expressing frustration with my own poor decisions. I make a point, if you'll forgive the pun, of being quite explicit with where and how I direct my profanity.

But that's rather the point. Profanity, in and of itself, isn't a "bad" thing. It's not considered inherently toxic, nor is it necessarily frowned upon. Rather, it enhances the rest of the statement. So a statement that's naturally positive ("Great shot, Ezreal!") becomes ecstatic, while a statement that's naturally negative ("You're a jerk!") becomes aggressive. It makes whatever statement it's a part of more of what it already is.

You're an Arbiter. You're supposed to be a "cut above" the rest of us. You may not be a paid employee of Riot, but you're supposed to act almost as if you were since you're indirectly affiliated with them and conducting yourself in a more professional manner. And using profanity, in my opinion, isn't doing that.

I'm first-and-foremost a player and person. And, regardless of anything else, I want to be sure that other players understand that I'm prone to all the same things they are. I make mistakes. I make stupid assumptions. I don't want anyone thinking I'm "better" than they are, because I think that hurts my ability to communicate effectively with them.

That said, I think the biggest difference here is simply a difference of opinion. You believe that using profanity is, in this context, a bad thing. And I don't necessarily disagree with you - as an Arbiter, on the Boards, I go out of my way to avoid profanity (except when using it in examples, as above) for exactly that reason. But I don't agree that my in-game behavior needs to live up to that standards. In the same way that the general behavioral standards are different between the game and the Boards, I don't feel that it's necessary to hold myself to the same communication strictures that I use here.

Please understand, I respect your opinion, I really do. And I can see the logic behind it. But it's not my way.

NOTE:

In looking at this again, my first paragraph here does seem to contradict my earlier statement... I was unnecessarily vague earlier, and I apologize for any confusion, there. Most commonly, when discussing the concept of "directing profanity," I am referring to using profanity along with negative statements directed at others, and that's the intent I had with that earlier claim. But since we're digging a little deeper, I feel it's necessary to be somewhat more explicit about the details.

I hope that this post makes my overall stance on the matter somewhat more clear.

Samus721 votes

It makes sense. I guess it comes down to choice. Is it necessary to use profanity? And this comes from a George Carlin fan! I wouldn't if I were in your position. All it would take is one incident, one complaint to Riot about me for the company to consider me a liability and drop me like a bad habit. I'm not saying Riot would. But the possibility is there and I don't like poking Fate with a stick. It has a nasty habit of poking back with a sequoia tree trunk.

I'm a forum moderator for an online game. Believe me. I know what I'm talking about.

Jubbinaut1 votes

{quoted}

It makes sense. I guess it comes down to choice. Is it necessary to use profanity? And this comes from a George Carlin fan! I wouldn't if I were in your position. All it would take is one incident, one complaint to Riot about me for the company to consider me a liability and drop me like a bad habit. I'm not saying Riot would. But the possibility is there and I don't like poking Fate with a stick. It has a nasty habit of poking back with a sequoia tree trunk.

I'm a forum moderator for an online game. Believe me. I know what I'm talking about.

Oh, I believe you! And it's certainly a possibility. But I figure, let 'em. I'm here, as an Arbiter, to do the same thing I was doing before I was an Arbiter. I just got lucky enough to be offered a position where I have better backing. If they decide I'm not worth the hassle, well... that'll suck, but it won't change anything I do.

Samus722 votes

{quoted}

Oh, I believe you! And it's certainly a possibility. But I figure, let 'em. I'm here, as an Arbiter, to do the same thing I was doing before I was an Arbiter. I just got lucky enough to be offered a position where I have better backing. If they decide I'm not worth the hassle, well... that'll suck, but it won't change anything I do.

It's cool. Hit me up in the game some time (preferably while you are on MY side.)

Jubbinaut1 votes

{quoted}

It's cool. Hit me up in the game some time (preferably while you are on MY side.)

Will do! Fair warning, though: I play a lot of ARAM because I'm kind of terrible at everything else.

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