League of Legends has long faced criticism for its toxic player behavior, but Riot Games is stepping up its efforts with a newly overhauled punishment system designed to reform rather than simply penalize.
Lead Gameplay Designer Matt Leung-Harrison shared details about the new approach on social media, emphasizing that the studio’s goal is not just to punish players but to promote a healthier and more respectful in-game environment.
Shifting From Harsh Penalties to Constructive Intervention
Leung-Harrison explained that Riot’s updated philosophy focuses less on severe punishments and more on timely, corrective feedback. He noted that aggressive bans and harsh penalties haven’t significantly reduced misconduct. Instead, providing players with immediate feedback that their actions are being monitored has proven more effective in preventing future violations—with re-offense rates dropping to under 10% when players are made aware of infractions.
This change aims to nudge players toward better conduct without pushing them out of the game prematurely.
Smarter Use of the Reporting System
The post also addressed how the reporting feature is often misused. Leung-Harrison urged the community to submit reports responsibly rather than using them vindictively against opponents. Riot believes that avoiding wrongful punishments is more important than catching every single offense. As a result, reports used indiscriminately may eventually be disregarded by the system.
He stated that while reports alone don’t trigger action, they significantly increase the chance that problematic behavior is detected and penalized appropriately.
Handling Severe Offenders
When it comes to the most serious cases of toxicity, Riot plans to take firm action. Leung-Harrison acknowledged that a very small segment of the player base—less than 0.1%—continues to engage in disruptive behavior until they’re banned permanently. For these players, Riot is committed to issuing what he described as a “typically permanent vacation.”
However, the challenge of account switching and alternate profiles continues, which complicates efforts to fully enforce bans across the board.
Looking Ahead
Leung-Harrison wrapped up the update by thanking the community for its ongoing feedback and support, as well as the internal teams working on player behavior systems. Riot remains committed to building a more positive experience in League of Legends, one step at a time.