League of Legends Players Question Penalties for Reconnecting After AFK Mishaps

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In simpler terms, gamers playing League of Legends often experience various feelings such as excitement, irritation, and bewilderment. Lately, many players have expressed concerns over Riot’s penalty system for those who leave a match and then return (AFK). Their complaints revolve around the fact that even if they rejoin a game that their team eventually wins, they still receive negative League Points (LP) penalties. This situation leaves players feeling unfairly treated; as if their good actions go unrewarded. It’s a complex issue, or perhaps simply a case of poor game design.

Why reconnect and play if I still get punished either way?
byu/Hawky23 inleagueoflegends

Summary

  • Players express frustration over being penalized for reconnecting after disconnects, even if their team wins.
  • Many feel that the current penalty system discourages players from trying to re-engage with the game.
  • Some users believe that Riot needs to revamp their penalties to promote good behavior rather than punishing it.
  • Multiple anecdotes reveal that the system struggles to differentiate between intentional and unintentional AFK situations.

The Confounding Penalty System

Hawky23’s post highlighted a common problem among gamers: is it worth reconnecting if the outcome remains unfavorable, as penalties still apply? Upon unexpectedly restarting his computer, Hawky anticipated avoiding a penalty and returned to the game only to find himself victorious but penalized with a -20 LP deduction and placed in a low priority queue. Essentially, he was penalized for winning, which seems illogical compared to a group of five selecting Riven as their ADC. One user insightfully commented, “The penalty should be removed when you win,” implying that at least a +0 change should be the minimum reward for players who reconnect. If players are still penalized even when they emerge victorious, why continue playing? This situation raises questions about Riot’s understanding of motivation and its role in keeping players engaged.

Players’ Reactions: Feeling the Weight of Punishment

In response to Hawky23’s predicament, the community expressed a mix of agreement and frustration. “This problem has been ongoing for ages, yet Riot hasn’t acknowledged it,” one user commented sadly. Basically, players are finding it infuriating because they’re penalized for doing good, which discourages positive gameplay. The system appears to be in shambles. By punishing those who try to improve a difficult situation, Riot seems to imply, “Just give up; there’s advantage in surrendering!” Given the already challenging mental strain of striving for victory amidst toxic encounters, not being rewarded for teamwork when they do win feels like an insult. Jokingly, one user said, “I guess I’m playing a game where I won’t be compensated for winning after 30 minutes anyway.” The humor in this situation could keep a campfire burning all night.

The Rogue AFK: It’s Not All Intentional

1) It seems that many gamers believe the game system should adapt to consider specific circumstances. User DozenBia provided a personal tale where extended loading screens led to an unwanted disconnection, resulting in penalties upon reconnecting. Despite their effort to rejoin and assist, they were greeted with the frustrating “remake, you have been punished” message. It’s hard to believe that a player who tries to re-enter after factors beyond their control is penalized similarly to those who intentionally leave the game. One can only wonder how much better the game might be if deliberate disconnections were met with harsher penalties, while unintentional ones were handled leniently. Riot Games should reconsider their approach to handling AFK situations. It’s strange that players feel compelled to “surrender” for a fair chance at preserving LP instead of persisting.

The Cycle of Disincentives

In my perspective as a devoted fan, it’s quite ironic how the very system designed to promote fair play seems to be cultivating indifference instead. I recently witnessed a game where my teammate disconnected early, yet even our valiant 4 versus 5 struggle almost ended in victory for us. However, due to the disconnect, we received no leniency in terms of loss mitigation. This situation, unfortunately, has led to another problem: the erosion of team unity.

When players feel that their efforts might be in vain due to penalties and potential losses, it’s only natural for them to consider quitting rather than fighting against the odds. The doubt that creeps in among teammates about each other’s dedication to winning can spark a chain reaction, pushing everyone towards the brink of giving up instead of working together. It’s almost humorous, in a grim sort of way, how the penalty system intended to encourage good behavior is actually fostering a culture of apathy.

As another player put it, “What’s the point of teamwork?” This sentiment echoes a mix of frustration and resignation, reflecting a growing disillusionment with the very concept of team play.

Members within the League of Legends gaming community are vocalizing their frustration regarding penalties that appear illogical. Ranging from being penalized for reconnecting after a technical issue, to feeling undervalued when teamwork is involved, these expressed sentiments underscore a system that seems to require significant overhaul. If League of Legends intends to preserve its player base and encourage a sense of unity instead of strife, addressing these issues is no longer optional but essential. The community yearns to celebrate team spirit, yet feels persistently restrained by a strict penalty system that favors self-protection over cooperation. It would be wonderful if all players could, like Teemo, sneakily avoid these penalties!

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2025-01-11 18:14