League of Legends : Riot Games takes steps against smurf accounts
Combatting smurf accounts in League of Legends
League of Legends has long been plagued by the issue of smurf accounts, where players compete in lower ranks than their actual skill level. In an effort to address this problem, Riot Games has introduced a new change in Patch 14.15. Moving forward from League Patch 14.15, players will be required to reach level 30 and complete 10 non-ranked Summoner’s Rift matches before unlocking ranked queues. This change aims to differentiate new players from smurfs and accounts that are botted.
Addressing the issue
Lead gameplay designer Phroxzon emphasizes that legitimate new players who use ARAM and Bots to level up do not provide a reliable indication of their actual skill level. Many of these players are also using alt accounts that Riot Games aims to place in their appropriate skill bracket, rather than allowing them to dominate lower ranks. These changes have been in the pipeline since January, with Riot also developing Vanguard and other technologies to combat the problems of selling or boosting accounts.
These measures, while not foolproof, are designed to deter players from creating smurf accounts. It will now take significantly longer to level up an account to 30 and complete 10 Summoner’s Rift games, making it less appealing for those looking to misrepresent their skill level. Moreover, Riot will be monitoring for any suspicious behavior from suspected smurfs.
Source : dotesports.com