I don't think that they need to review the permanent ban system. The current consequences for a permanent ban are harsh, but rightfully so. This harshness acts a deterrent for both, other players as well as the player it was issued to, against exhibiting behaviors of extreme toxicity or illegal acts in-game. However, I do think that they should review the methods that the Instant Feedback System uses to issue the bans. Specifically to address harsh bans like 14-day suspension and instant permanent suspensions related to a first time offence. To comment on what @The Djinn said about formal warnings in the form of chat restrictions etc., that then escalate to more severe bans. This is not always the case. Some accounts are permanently banned instantly. And getting a 14-day suspension issued as a first offence can cause a "walking on eggshells" reluctance to make future purchases or even play again with a Perma Ban fate now looming over the account. In many cases though, this could be avoided as well as other concerns, with some minor tweaking of the Instant Feedback System and with the addition of in-game preventative measures.
Many people wish that the ban system would go back to the way it was years ago with the player community tribunal. However, this type of punishment regulation is tedious and frankly quite subjective and open to claims of unfairness. The Instant Feedback System was meant to resolve this while also giving the power of punishment to the players that had to deal with a toxic teammate(s). But this has resulted in the issues that we see today, where people still feel they have been unfairly punished only now there is no real appeal process in place to resolve it. For many cases Player Support hands are literally tied in adhering to the stringent Instant Feedback punishment that was initially issued. Period. The current system as it stands is mostly designed to single out the toxic players from the community and remove them as quickly as possible, and seems less concerned with prevention or "reform". Negative actions and behaviors should be punished, but players also need to be properly 'educated' on the types of bans and the process by which they can be issued prior to it taking effect. Especially, if they are going to be so rigid when it comes to the appeal, or lack there of rather, of a ban. In many cases players do not know what type of behaviors or acts result in which of the various punishments nor do they know the process that takes place for a ban until they have already been punished. And I think this is creating feelings of distrust or even some hostility within the community towards Riot, relating to the harshness of bans that are issued and their immovability with regards to the outcome. To address this I think the following revisions could be made within the Instant Feedback System:
Step 1: Add in-game prevention 'tips' to loading screen. Ex., "Did you know, that excessive negative behavior can result in a Two-Week or Permanent suspension at any time without having a chat restriction on the account?" -straight from the FAQ Instant Feedback System page
Step 2: Issue to EVERYONE a one time warning, without penalty on their first offence. It should resemble the type of ban they would have received for their behavior. Ex., "14-day Suspension" at the top (if you have received a ban in the past you will know what getting that notice feels like... instant fear, panic, confusion, anger etc.,) Beneath that there is an explanation of the punishment and why it was issued. In it's place it should read something like:
"Looks like you were recently pretty negative in-game, but as it would seem it's your lucky day! Your behavior last game should have resulted in a 14-day suspension, but just this once the punishment has been waived. But you are not off the hook just yet, instead, your account will now be locked for the next 2 hours. Take this time to cool off and look over how punishment and the Instant Feedback System works in League of Legends. Remember, that even though this time the punishment has been waived, the League of Legends community is empowered to report players they believe have violated the Summoner's Code and consistently created a negative experience in games. Next time regardless of the circumstances, behaviors such as in-game taunting; harassment, offensive remarks, intentionally feeding, etc., will be reported by the community and if warranted punished by the Instant Feedback System accordingly. To avoid any future punishments, we suggest reviewing the following information:
HOW DO PUNISHMENTS WORK?
Players who are found to be causing a negative game experience are punished within 15 minutes of the games end.
PUNISHMENTS GENERALLY FOLLOW A BASIC ESCALATION PATH:
First Offense: 10 Game Chat Restriction
Second Offense: 25 Game Chat Restriction
Third Offense: Two Week Suspension
Fourth Offense: Permanent Suspension
However, it is possible to skip to a Two Week or Permanent suspension based on the severity of the behavior in the game. Excessive negative behavior can result in a Two-Week or Permanent suspension at any time without having a chat restriction on the account. --Straight from Instant Feedback FAQ page
For more details visit the Instant Feedback System FAQ Page
You can access the Summoner Code here
If you have further questions or concerns please contact Riot Games Support
On a typical suspension notice they provide your chat log; this should stay the same.
Beneath this you must then 'accept your fate' to dismiss the notice by clicking "I understand"... (of course, now you do...) For a first offence it could say "I understand that next time punishment will not be waived" or have one of those check boxes that says "By checking this box I am recognizing my negative behavior and stating that I understand next time punishment will not be waived" and have "I accept" at the bottom to dismiss the notice.
Step 3: The account will be locked for two hours. Allowing time to cool off and look at the info provided on how bans work and what not.
I think that overall this is fair and could also be far more effective. Some might see it as too forgiving. But I actually think it is more harsh than say, a 10 game chat ban as a 'warning'. A chat ban doesn't lock you out from playing for any length of time. This would, which is more effective because it prevents you from hitting that play button again right away and hopefully allow time to reflect on your actions and behaviors for a while. It also provides a reason why you are locked out; to read the info on bans and hopefully prevent any future reports or bans. This may or may not take a full 2 hours to read, but it is a reasonable amount of time to do so and at least cool off. At the same time, it feels a lot less like punishment and more forgiving and fair to the player because its like they got a "second chance" or avoided a punishment instead of receiving one. In reality, they actually did receive one in the form of a two hour lock out. But it was not permanent, and was not a 'strike' against the account in anyway. It is also 100% identical for everyone that is in the position of getting reported for the first time, regardless of the circumstances. Everyone is initially given the same information and opportunity to understand the ban system. From that point on it is completely in the offender's hands to either learn from it or be punished accordingly the same way it is implemented now.
What do you think of this? Does it seem like a reasonable and feasible solution?
