Hello humans,
--- A quick summary of this post -----------------------------------------------
- Teaming is not allowed on any public server (teaming on private servers is still fine!)
- From now on, possible consequences for teaming include: temporary/permanent bans, win count resets
- Reporting can be done via the in-game reporting, sending a Discord DM to Carissa or Josh, or emailing us at [email protected]. If you see it, let us know!
There have been a lot of reports of teaming in public Last Bot Standing matches, and we have decided to officially say: teaming is banned on any public servers. Reminder that teaming in private servers is still allowed, as long as all players in the private server agree to it!
--- What is teaming?-----------------------------------------------
Teaming is when two or more players join the same match, and agree to avoid targeting each other for any length of time (examples: the entire game, until the final area, until a certain number of players remain, etc.). Sometimes (but not always), players who are teaming will fight other players together. Teaming can happen to give these players upgrades and wins, and is unfair to everyone joining the game solo.
Any situation where players attempt to give a win to a specific person is considered teaming, regardless of how many players are involved or what public server they're on. It's against the rules to team in any public servers even if all players in that LBS match agree to team.
--- Some examples of teaming -------
- Talking to other players--sometimes in-game (using emotes or other methods), or more often, outside the game (using voice chat, messages on Discord/Steam, etc.)--to create alliances or work together on some larger goal. (As a warning: going forward, using teaming as a method of combating someone else’s teaming may put you at risk. We do try to take into account players’s motivations when handing out consequences, but it is not always possible to do so 100% accurately)
--- Some examples of not teaming -------
- Coincidentally all targeting the same person for a limited amount of time because they're the biggest threat (reasons for this include: they have the highest skill level, they have a really powerful upgrade (like giant mode), etc.)
- Running away from/not fighting someone because they're scary and you want to live lol
*Note that these examples are only a couple of common scenarios, and don’t include all possible scenarios.
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We know it can be discouraging as a new player to see how skilled our veteran players are, and how high their wincounts are because of that. We’ve seen teaming used as a means of improving a new player’s experience. While we are still banning teaming in public servers, we see the need for more support for new players, and we’re currently doing some research into that. (As always, we strongly welcome community ideas and feedback!)
For our players who found the team gameplay aspect of teaming fun (especially our organized clans!), we’d love for you to reach out and let us know how we can support you in other ways. Things like organized private server teaming battles can be a lot of fun!
--- Next steps -----------------------------------------------
There won't be any action taken against people who have used teaming before now because it wasn't an official rule. After this point however, we will begin investigating any teaming reports we receive. If, after investigation by our team, someone is determined to be teaming, consequences will be applied (including temporary/permanent bans and win count resets).
If you see anyone you suspect of teaming, please use the in-game report system and reach out to us (DM community managers Carissa or Josh via Discord, or email us at [email protected]).
Good luck in the arena,
Josh and Carissa
<3