by Jena Le ’23

Riot Games has just announced that they are disabling a popular feature on online team-based video game League of Legends called All Chat (a feature that allows players from opposite teams to communicate with each other) in an effort to curb verbal abuse. League of Legends is one of the most popular games in the world with an average of 105 million players logging on monthly in 2021. League of Legends is not only known for their gaming platform, but also for the beautiful animation and hard hitting music that comes along with it. League of Legends seems almost perfect with its great storylines, flawless animation, and upbeat music, but the reality is that it is far from perfect. Though the fanbase is primarily responsible for Riot Games’ impressive growth, they have also been the downfall of it.

As a frequent League player, I have experienced this toxic behavior firsthand as a female gamer. Teammates will constantly berate me and even refuse to collaborate with me because I’m a girl. It is extremely difficult for me to continue playing the game when almost every match consists of sexist and derogatory comments. It has come to the point where being rude is the new normal in gaming culture. Though I love League of Legends, it is not worth playing if I constantly feel terrible about myself after every game.