On Fairness and Second Chances


The ethics of perma-bans

Riot hands out perma-bans because of unacceptable behavior. It would seem that permanent is right in Riot's eyes.
But what would make this choice Right? Social values Riot tries to enforce?
On their Website about Values Riot says that "[They] put players at the center of everything."
So Riot seems to give out perma-bans for their players. I have found some old screenshots from the time that I did actually script.

I decided to actually try to contact some of these players whose games I recklessly ruined. Most of them don't play league anymore or didn't accept my friend requests.
The ones who actually did were confused when I apologized to them for scripting in a game they played 5 years ago.
They simply didn't care about it anymore. When I asked them if they thought I would deserve a second chance, none of them said no.
The players I once cheated against all thought that it being 5 years in the past is punishment enough.

So, if the purpose of perma-bans is not to act in the communities best interest, then what could be the reason?
For deterrence? Wouldn't a multi year ban be as effective?
For protection? Wouldn't Riot prevent cheaters from making new accounts then?
For reformation? Wouldn't a lifting of the punishment at some point be a part of that?
For retribution? Is it really necessary to go to those extents?

The purpose of a permanent ban seems unclear to me. Does Riot perma-ban because they want to be strict and fair?

Question

How does Riot justify permanent suspensions opposed to multi-year long suspensions?

And about being strict and fair...

Riots "strict and equal" policy

Riot seems to be very clear on their stance against cheaters. They get perma-banned and stay that way (They get merged with a universe where their account never existed).
So how would Riot deal with people who create exploits for their game/client? Obviously they would be very harsh on them right?
Nope! Rioters instead come to them very friendly do some giveaways with them and ask them to stop. Were these exploits minor?
You can be the judge, just look at them.

But those are not scripters. You can't compare apples to oranges.
Fair point, so how does Riot treat scripters? Obviously they will not be unbanned.
Wrong again! Riot has unbanned some scripters. I am not talking about the ones that social engineer Riot Support with a story that their account got compromised. I am talking about people who admitted to cheating and were unbanned by Riot officials.

Question

How can Riot promote fairness and not be fair and equal to their community?
Why does Riot treat some people different that others?

Some Examples of better practices

I will start with the best Example first. Genshin Impact. MiHoYo understands that cheaters ruin the integrity of the game, the first offense on cheating is punished with a 1 month suspension, a second offense is punished with a 1.5 year suspension (I could not find any info on a third ban).
MiHoYo understands just as well that people should deserve second chances. People make mistakes, but people can also change for the better.

Another Example is the comparison to real world cheating in sports. The common consensus seems to be that cheaters should have their achievements revoked and should be suspended for a limited amount of time. Most sports actually do it that way, taking away the wins they cheated for and suspending them for a limited time. Why should video games be different? Whether it's in real life or in video games, the people that get punished are still that. People.

Question

Why does Riot not use one of these Systems with a chance for second chances

Ending Words

I do not say that cheaters should be punished. I am actually happy that I was banned, because the restriction gave me more room to grow.
Room to grow into a better person, that recognized their mistakes and just hopes for a second chance after five long years.
Thank you for taking your time to read this. At least I hope you did. I would appreciate it if you could answer the questions I presented after each little Part. Even though your company arbitrarily chooses the Values and Principles they want to follow and only follows them when they want, you are different. You took your time to read through this and stood by the Values your company should represent. Thank you.

We can't have a society full of cheaters, but we can't have a society without forgiveness either.

Edit

Pub: 24 Mar 2022 18:06 UTC

Edit: 24 Mar 2022 18:41 UTC

Views: 109