Riot Games, the developer behind the popular tactical shooter game Valorant, has recently made headlines with its firm stance against in-game harassment. Following a series of disturbing incidents where players, particularly women and queer individuals, were subjected to verbal abuse, the company has laid out a comprehensive plan to address the issue and foster a safer gaming environment.
The issue of harassment in Valorant is not isolated. Across the gaming industry, players have long faced toxicity in voice and text chat, which can significantly impact their gaming experience. Anna Donlon, the head of Valorant at Riot Games, has acknowledged the gravity of the situation and the company’s responsibility to protect its players
Riot’s Response to Recent Incidents
In response to the viral clips showcasing harassment, Riot Games has announced a series of measures aimed at curbing such behavior. Donlon has emphasized that while Riot has made efforts to control toxic behavior, their systems are not foolproof and require continuous improvement.
Upcoming Policy Updates and Penalties
Riot Games plans to update its policies within the next 30 days to impose stronger and faster penalties for severe misconduct, including hate speech, severe sexual content, and threats of violence. The company will introduce a range of actions and penalties, such as temporary and permanent bans, and in extreme cases, hardware bans for the most egregious offenders.
To ensure effective enforcement, Riot is bolstering the teams responsible for manually reviewing reports of abuse. Additionally, the rollout of Riot’s voice evaluation system will be expanded to more regions, allowing for better monitoring and action against violators.
Riot will conduct a one-time review of the top suspected offenders from the previous competitive Act in Valorant and issue appropriate penalties. The company is also exploring new technologies, such as machine learning and voice-to-text transcription, to detect violations over voice chat.
Donlon has urged the Valorant community to continue reporting toxic behavior and to use the Muted Words List to filter out unwanted content. Riot Games has updated its Privacy Notice and Terms of Service to allow for the recording and evaluation of voice communications when a disruptive behavior report is submitted.
Riot Games is committed to taking a proactive approach to player safety, with plans to introduce more comprehensive strategies in the future. Donlon remains hopeful that these steps will make Valorant a safer space for all players.
Riot Games is taking decisive action to combat in-game harassment in Valorant. By updating policies, enhancing review systems, and exploring new technologies, the company aims to create a gaming environment where respect and safety are paramount. As these plans unfold, the gaming community watches with anticipation, hopeful for a future where everyone can enjoy the game without fear of abuse.
