Riot Games Is Removing Offensive Names From VALORANT
Riot Games is making moves to combat the sometimes toxic gaming community and vowed to remove offensive gamertags from VALORANT. As well as clamping down on cheaters and those being abusive to other players in chat, Riot is taking a zero-tolerance stance on anyone using a gamertag that could be deemed offensive.
Posting on Twitter, Riot confirmed anyone who has a gamertag that's been flagged as offensive will be forced to change their Riot ID when they next log in to VALORANT. Players were directed to Riot's T&Cs and the Code of Conduct for what constitutes an offensive name. We don't think we need to spell it out for you here with examples.
The series of tweets revealed Riot's steps for combatting offensive gamertags and how players should report anyone they think is being offensive toward others. In terms of what constitues an offensive gamertag, a selection of breaches would include anything that is hateful or openly mocks race, disability, sex, or sexual orientation. Offensive language is also banned alongside anything that disrespects someone else.
Late last month, VALORANT anti-cheat lead Paul “Arkem” Chamberlain explained the importance of reporting other players, however, this has also rolled over into an emphasis on reporting those who might be deemed offensive.
Previously, gamers who'd been aggressive or offensive to others were slapped with a communication ban. Critics complained that this disrupted gameplay in terms of communicating with others, while some argued they shouldn't be allowed to play at all if they're being punished. This was addressed by one of the game's devs, who promised the system would be revised in the near future.
What is the logic behind banning someone from communicating, but still letting them play comp? from r/VALORANT
Earlier this year an Overwatch team known as Nice One, Good Round - which had been competing in the amateur Open Division - was banned from Blizzard's game. The team's name was spelled out in a banner on its Twitter, swapping the word "One" for "1", and featured a caricature. As well as this, there was the fact their players were referred to as a racial slur by adding the number one.
Blizzard reiterated that its Open Division rules mean all team names have to go through approval, but due to it being spelled out, Nice One, Good Round got through the net. Blizzard told Kotaku that the team hadn't submitted a logo, while Twitter doesn't get the same moderation, meaning teams can spell their name and create whatever banner they feel appropriate.
There have been growing concerns in the gaming community when it comes to what people have been allowed to get away with. Companies like Riot are trying to turn the tide and make sure the VALORANT community is a safer and more inclusive place to be. Even though the Overwatch debacle showed it's likely that some will still slip through the net, at least Riot is trying to stop offensive gamertags.
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Images via Riot Games
