Growing up and being a good sport in League of Legends

Eurogamer recently released a video of pro console players displaying immature behavior and horrible sportsmanship. They yelled, they made rude gestures, they swore, and overall did not display any of the professional qualities associated with being a professional. The video was, frankly, hard to watch. There is no more room in esports for exhibitions of this nature than there is for more than two players in one lane. I am a huge advocate for treating this sport the same way players and media treat any other sport. That is, it deserves respect from all players, especially those at the highest level of competition.

Gaming has its own foundation, and this I understand completely. Gamers do not grow up playing their favorite sport in the street or in the park, but in their own homes behind a wall of anonymity. If you cheat there are no umpires to throw you out, or if you allow the anger at a misplay or a loss to get to you, there are no authority figures to give you pause before you launch into a verbal beating on whatever it is that failed you. Even if you keep that courteous behavior at the forefront of your mind, playing with friends will always incur some sort of “friendly” banter that may not be suitable for an uninitiated audience.

There is so much rich history in gaming where rage and loud noises defined our experience. This applies to any game, and League of Legends is no different. Professionals get angry, bronze league players will rage and rage, and don't even get me started on gold league. Even casual players who only queue for normal games will become frustrated at their team or their own mistakes. Why do we need special tournament rules? Why would players need to change their habits just because they are being paid to play?

Have you ever heard of Peter Pan? Not the Disney Peter Pan but the original book by J.M. Barrie? It is a story of a boy who never had to grow up. Peter got to live wonderful adventures and fly and do all sorts of grand things, but you know what? He was missing out. Because growing up is not a punishment, growing up means money and independence and also really being able to enjoy and appreciate being one of the best in your field of work. Growing up is also not just about age. A 12 year old can easily act like more of an adult than some 35 year olds can. Children scream and yell and rub it in other peoples face when they defeat them. It is called immaturity. But adults? Adults get to experience this

The most awesome ending for an epic game.

This is after the game between the Copenhagen Wolves and Evil Genius' on Sunday. The game came down to the very end, the shoutcaster was losing his voice, the audience was going wild. EG had their opportunities but in the end lost in what was one of the best games I have had the pleasure to watch. And with the audience cheering and standing in thunderous awe, these two teams came together in the middle of the stage and just...hung out. They laughed, they smiled, they debriefed, and they congratulated each other. Players who love the game and show a mature respect for it, and the other players they face, are the only ones that can experience this kind of adoration from their own fellow gamers and audiences everywhere.

This can apply to you too. The tribunal is not there just to pick on players who's emotions got the best of them a couple times, but to try and promote a more mature approach to winning and losing on a consistent basis. I realize this is not something Riot can really track, but you know those stats that show how much better players do when they work with their team instead of getting angry? I wonder what those would say about how much more fun players who show sportsmanship have in LoL. I would bet money that the people who do not let the game emotionally compromise them not only win more, but also get more enjoyment out of League of Legends.

In conclusion, nobody wants to see a poor sport, either on stage or on the same team in a solo queue game. Remember, a child holds a grudge, but an adult shows dignity in defeat. Children stand up and beat their chests declaring “I am better than you are!” But adults show courtesy and respect to the vanquished. Games like this one are the reason why esports are growing. Good sportsmanship needs to be practiced so that the world can see these are not just bunches of foul mouthed hoodlums who got lucky, but professionals in a legitimate sport that hundreds of thousands around the world watch and enjoy.