Is inappropriate player behavior purposefully vague so that players are not able to play the system?

obsesse·8/10/2016, 12:21:34 AM·1 votes·625 views

Over the years Riot has provided much useful information about punishment and other restrictions. I've appreciated much of this information, but recently I've found myself wondering just how well the current system works. This curiosity mainly stems from my perception of League being one of, if not the largest player communities in video games.

I do not envy Riot for the incredibly daunting task of correcting player behavior. I do, however, appreciate clarity and data in all forms. The information I am referring to include: how many reports, and types, leading up to each tier of punishment; time in between punishment; number of reports by average player

Does Riot fear that giving clarity about this will lead to players purposefully forgoing what they know will lead to punishment?

13 Comments

Kürama8/10/2016, 12:36:59 AM2 votes

After being reported for a few games, the system will then investigate the player's chat logs and if numerous insults / toxicity is detected, the system will punish the player.
Reports are validated by the system, meaning any false reports will be thrown out and the false reporters' future reports will be taken less seriously by the system.
There are 4 tiers of punishment for toxicity.

10 game chat restriction
25 game chat restriction
2 week ban
Permanent ban

It is possible to skip the first or the second tier depending on the level of toxicity detected.

There are 5 tiers of punishment for Leavers.
5 minute 5 game Low Priority Queue
10 minute 5 game Low Priority Queue
20 minute 5 game Low Priority Queue
2 week ban
Permanent ban

It's not possible to skip tiers for Leavers, but increased leaving will result in faster tier escalation.

There are 2 tiers of punishments for intentional feeders
2 week ban
Permanent ban

It's not possible to skip tiers here either.

ModPrandine8/10/2016, 1:04:29 AM1 votes

You've pretty much answered your own question here. Yes, there are some things that Riot purposefully keeps vague and unclear so that the less than savory players don't try to game the system and skirt around the edges of guiltiness and innocence. From the Tribunal FAQ:

Why doesn't Riot post a list of rules for what you can be banned for? We believe in giving the community what it needs to define itself and that includes what is acceptable or unacceptable behavior. Any rules provided by Riot Games could unnecessarily influence the community.

From Ulanopo's Knowledge Base:

The Summoners Code is too nebulous. I need to know what I cant say.

Riot is never going to tell you because people will use that information to skirt the edge of impropriety. Heres a simple list of things that will almost always get you punished:

Criticizing anyones skill.

Any racist, homophobic, sexist or ethnic slur.
Spamming. (A good rule of thumb is never say anything more than twice.)
Asking for reports.
Threatening, blackmailing or bullying your team in any way. This specifically includes any reference to going AFK, feeding or aiding the enemy.
Anything that could be construed as you not doing your best (Im not helping bot any more!, for example).
Whining, especially if its about your team not surrendering.

Basically, you should avoid anything you would not say at the funeral of a loved one or during the interview for your dream job.

obsesse8/10/2016, 2:53:11 AM1 votes

You guys have made some great points that I want to highlight but right now I'm on mobile so it's a bit difficult.

There are some things against the rules that I've only just learned today, after playing for 4 years lol.

Also it seems that by letting the community determine toxic behavior we set ourselves up for an inherently toxic community that exists somewhere near the ambiguous line set by the people YOU interact with.

This also creates different metas of toxic levels, with some players allowing more toxic behavior in normals and ARAMs as opposed to ranked games. This, to me, is a huge problem.