Riot Games Reiterates Commitment to Fighting In-Game Valorant Harassment

Valorant development lead and executive producer Anna Donlon wrote a statement addressing the game's struggles with in-game toxicity, reaffirming Riot Games' commitment to fighting the phenomenon.

Donlon relates to the experience of those harassed, having been harassed herself in competitive queues.

Riot Games Reiterates Commitment to Fighting In-Game Valorant Harassment

"We've learned to mute others who are harassing us," she wrote in a blog post on the Valorant website. "We've learned to mute ourselves in order to keep the peace. And as a result, we have a competitive experience that can feel compromised. We often find ourselves at a disadvantage."

Rather than put the onus on the harassed players to self-isolate, Donlon hopes to promote a fair, competitive experience in which all players can comfortably use voice chat.

To that end, Riot Games has established a "Central Player Dynamics" team to engage with the science of how to promote fair team play. The team will also publish its code of conduct as soon as possible to set the terms for building and punishing the community as necessary.

"I can also say that as the leader of the Valorant team, I've personally made this a priority for the game and will invest the resources necessary. This is a priority for us, not just in the short-term, but for as long as it takes to reassure a player — any player — that as long as they play to win in Valorant and respect their fellow human beings, they'll be guaranteed a similar experience in return."

In-game harassment isn't exclusive to Valorant — in fact it's as widespread a phenomenon as there is in games — but Riot Games titles have particularly struggled with community toxicity. Donlon wants Valorant to be an exception.

"We'll talk when we have more to show but please keep holding us, and me, accountable to keeping up our investment here," she concluded.