September 20, 2023

Riot Takes a Stand Against Toxicity with New Ranked Penalty System

Toxicity in online video games is a problem that has plagued the gaming community for years. League of Legends, in particular, has often been cited as a hotbed for toxic behavior, with numerous incidents leaving players frustrated and discouraged. However, in Patch 13.19, Riot Games is rolling out a new solution aimed at boosting the quality of the ranked queues and curbing this long-standing issue.

In the image below, you can check out a graphic created from a poll conducted amongst almost 4000 players in 2020, showing the percentage of players who claim to have been affected by toxic behavior in League of Legends in the past.

Toxicity Statistics graphic

The developers at Riot Games have been grappling with the problem of toxicity for quite some time. In the past, they've tried various punishments to deter players from engaging in toxic behavior. Still, in Patch 13.19, they're unveiling an innovative system designed to tackle the problem head-on.

On Twitter (X), the League of Legends Dev Team posted the following:

LoLDev on Twitter (X)

This fresh approach involves a penalty system for players consistently exhibiting toxic in-game behavior. It's set to go live in the upcoming update, and it's causing quite a stir in the League of Legends community.

So, what exactly does this new system entail? In a nutshell, players who are found guilty of toxic behavior in their recent games will face a temporary suspension from the ranked queue.

They'll only regain access to ranked play once they've completed a set of non-ranked matches while demonstrating improved behavior.

This means that the offending players will be redirected to game modes like blind pick, draft pick, ARAM (All Random All Mid), or one of the rotating game modes. While in these matches, they must avoid toxic behavior at all costs. Only after completing these remedial non-ranked matches will they be allowed back into the ranked queue.

The offenses targeted by these new changes include actions such as leaving a match, going AFK (Away From Keyboard), engaging in "Summoner’s Code" offenses like intentionally feeding or griefing teammates, as well as violations related to in-game chat, which are the most common.

For players who get penalized but really don’t want to switch accounts or play the unranked matches, there’s always a solution like League of Legends Elo Boosting services for Normal (Draft) Wins right here at GG Boost.com.

 

While thissystem may not be foolproof in completely eradicating toxicity from League of Legends, it is undoubtedly a step in the right direction for the safety and well-being of the player community. Some may argue that toxic players could simply switch to alternate accounts to avoid the penalty, but the reality is that most players will eventually have to play out these low-stakes matches. Thus, this new system is likely to discourage toxic behavior from occurring in the first place.

However, there are concerns among a large segment of players who fear encountering toxic players in casual game modes. This is a valid concern, as many summoners turn to these game modes as a respite from the intense and often toxic atmosphere of the ranked ladder. The prospect of being matched with some of the worst offenders in these queues could lead to unwanted interactions and detract from the experience for those who were initially seeking refuge from toxicity.

Despite these potential challenges, Riot Games appears committed to addressing toxicity head-on. They understand that it's a complex issue that can't be solved overnight, but they believe that the new ranked penalty system is a huge boost towards fostering a healthier and more enjoyable gaming environment.

League of Legends Patch 13.19 is set to be released next week on Wednesday, September 27th. With it comes the hope that this new system will help create a friendlier and more enjoyable experience for all summoners. While it may not be a magic solution, it's a clear indication that Riot Games is dedicated to making the game a better place for everyone. So, let's embrace this change and work together to build a League of Legends community that's free from toxicity, one game at a time.

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