Player Behavior and the Preseason

Player behavior is a huge issue in the League of Legends community, people will say vile things for simple mistakes without regard to your feelings, character, or personal struggle. I have not seen the community improve in the last 3 years, 1 of which years I would consider myself a toxic player. The entirety of this game is based on teamwork, communication, skill and improvement among other things. But for the life of me I can't keep my eyes off the chat box, unfortunately. I can say however that the amount of toxic players I encounter are significantly lower, whereas 3 years ago it was a couple people every game it is now 1 or two people. I don't want to just say that Riot Games has implemented systems that don't work, because that's just not true. But the level at which it succeeds is well below my expectations. To be fair, it's an entirely complicated issue that will always have leaks of toxic players. But I don't see a solution to the epidemic of trolls and just awfully mean players, with a rehabilitation system like the tribunal and all the bans, you would think the numbers of cases would be falling; not stabilizing.

Toxicity isn't something the community wants, I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say; take your hate somewhere else. If permanent bans and indefinite chat restrictions are required then so be it, they aren't desirable. This pre-season, I challenge riot games to not only address the issue, but plan a multifaceted resolution to such an important problem that has affected EVERY SINGLE PLAYER in the community. Riot Games has made a promise and commitment to it's players experience. But my experience, is based on the attitude of others, as is a lot of other players. Muting people, and temporary chat restrictions are just short lived resolutions to a growing problem.

> "We aspire to be the most player-focused game company in the world." "We know players form the foundation of our community and it’s for them that we continue to evolve and improve the League of Legends experience."

A small portion of players have ribbons, I see one about once a month maybe. Why is that?

I may be horribly wrong about how the whole system works, but from my point of view. I see heinous disgusting remarks sometimes even about pedophilia, murder and otherwise repulsive slander. It's unbelievable that these players are even in the game let alone not fined or placed on a federal watch list. Just recently in Seattle Washinton, student Tysen Campbell was cited for threats of violence and or; Harassment, under penal code RCW 9a.36.080 Malicious harassment which holds criminal charges under reasonable context. Hes being held with a 10,000$ bail and has yet to be tried. This is something that is LAW in not only just Washington State, but the Country of Canada.

The other day, I had someone tell me that he wished my mother was dead. He wished that my potential cancer a serious problem I may soon face, at which I was discussing with someone at the time, was indeed real. And that I would die soon, he went on with hate speech and convinced other players to join his repugnant hatred. The very same day, I joined a team finder where a couple of players were discussing sexual fascination of pedophilia. Should I call the police, what do I even do? Just mute them?!? Are these players, playing with a slap on the wrist? Smurfs? Temp chat bans? The games experience, is dreadfully based on players attitudes which I know sounds ridiculous, the gameplay is great. But why on earth would I want to play a game where people hate me? How on earth could I stay positive after hearing that? How on earth could I close the game and think "that was a good game?" How could I control my anger, frustration and just, try my hardest without reward.

Why would I ever want to win a game like that?

Again, I challenge Riot Games to spotlight the issue, and create a solution, enabling a tribunal system again and punishing players based on the severity of context before the season begins.

I hope other people can shed light on the issue and share opinions. It may be just me, but toxicity is alive and well; if not boiling. Muting people sometimes is just too late to hear what they have to say.