Professional League of Legends players are well-recognized figures today. They represent a team and serve as a source of inspiration for some. However, this exposure also comes with disadvantages. They are at the forefront of criticism sometimes malicious from the community. While many negative messages are regularly received by players and more generally by organizations, several LCK teams have decided to speak out against harassment. Determined, they take the subject very seriously and are ready to file a complaint.
Three organizations teaming up
As in most very competitive environments, esports give free rein to passions. However, these passions are ambivalent, if some supporters bend over backward to tirelessly encourage favorite players and teams, others do not hesitate to criticize them, break them and bring them down. Targets can be both enemy teams and their own team if they are unfortunate enough to disappoint them.
Some of these criticisms go too far and three organizations of the LCK have decided to act. Hanwha Life Esports and SeolHaeOne Prince were the first to communicate on the subject, then T1 supported them through the voice of its CEO Joe Marsh. Due to its track record and history , Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok's team lends even more weight. It also shows that no one is spared from this scourge, even the biggest teams.
Through their online accounts, the organizations sent their own message to the community, all expressing the same idea. If the teams are grateful for the unconditional support of some fans, they regret and condemn the cyber-harassment to which the players, the technical staff, and their employees are victims. Malicious messages, which can take the form of insults, personal attacks, or threats are inadmissible. Faced with this worrying phenomenon, the three organizations said they were ready to take legal action to protect their members and punish the culprits.
The consequences of cyber-harassment
Harassment has serious consequences. As the three Korean organizations have expressed, they can affect victims hard, especially if they are sensitive. As League of Legends players are generally young, their profiles are all the more fragile.
As a result of the harassment, the victims are under a great stress load, may feel insecure and lead to depression, or even suicide in extreme cases. This is an issue to be taken seriously, which not only threatens the good performance of competitive players but also their personal well-being outside of the Summoner's Rift.
Original content by Léo "Tipsalewo" Lecherbonnier.
