[Suggestion] Improving Low Priority Detection & Reducing Unfair Penalties

[Mudspiritual]

Hello Dota 2 Team and Fellow Players,

I’d like to share a proposal that aims to refine the penalty system for abandons and disconnections, ultimately benefiting both the player experience and Dota 2’s long-term health. As the game continues to grow, ensuring a fair and well-targeted punishment system can help retain players who encounter unavoidable issues (like hardware crashes or connectivity problems) while still maintaining an environment that discourages intentional griefing.

Current Challenges
Unintentional Disconnections

Frequent or severe punishments are sometimes issued for quick, unintentional disconnects caused by hardware or network instability.
Returning immediately to the game often feels underappreciated by the system, even if the match is still salvageable.
One-Size-Fits-All Penalties

Both brief Turbo matches and lengthy Ranked matches can trigger the same penalty severity for an “abandon.”
This uniform approach can feel disproportionate when players lose only a few minutes to technical errors.
Impact on Player Retention

Casual or time-constrained players, especially those who favor Turbo or shorter sessions, risk excessive punishment for factors beyond their control.
Many players become discouraged and may stop playing altogether if they feel the penalty system is too unforgiving.
Suggested Improvements
Adaptive Penalty Escalation

Implement a tiered or context-based approach that evaluates match type, disconnect length, and reconnect attempts.
For instance, short Turbo disconnects (under 5 minutes) could receive a lighter penalty if a player successfully returns to finish the match.
AI/Behavior-Tracking

Use an AI-driven system to distinguish between forced technical disconnects and intentional quits.
Factors such as keyboard/mouse input prior to disconnection, reconnection speed, and consistent technical issues over time could paint a clearer picture of the situation.
Player Rep & Cooldown Adjustments

Introduce a “reliability score” that rewards players for consistently rejoining and completing matches despite brief disconnects.
Players with high reliability scores might receive shorter low-priority durations or fewer penalty games.
Distinguish Turbo & Ranked Severity

Because Turbo matches are shorter and more casual, scale the penalty accordingly. Intentional leavers in Turbo still deserve punishment, but less severe than leaving a 40–60 minute Ranked match.
If repeated offenses occur, more serious measures would still apply.
Educational Notifications

Upon returning from a disconnect, show a brief notification explaining how to avoid future penalties.
Offer guidance on optimizing system performance, updating drivers, and diagnosing connectivity problems.
Why This Benefits Dota 2
Higher Player Retention: Reducing frustration from unfair penalties encourages more players—especially those with busy schedules or slower hardware—to stay engaged.
Better Match Integrity: A more sophisticated system that identifies genuine abandoners will improve the overall experience for dedicated players who want fair and balanced matches.
Community Growth: Players who feel that a game understands their technical and real-life constraints are likelier to recommend Dota 2 to friends.
Flexibility & Inclusivity: Having nuanced rules for different match types (Turbo vs. Ranked) embraces the diverse ways people enjoy Dota 2.
Conclusion
I believe a refined penalty system—one that carefully evaluates disconnections and abandons—can boost player satisfaction, encourage fair competition, and nurture a healthier community in the long run. Thank you for considering these suggestions. I’m eager to hear any thoughts from both the development team and fellow community members!

Kind regards,
A Concerned (Yet Hopeful) Dota 2 Enthusiast