Zero Harm in Comms Project Launched

This first cross-industry research initiative to fight disruptive behavior is conducted by Ubisoft and Riot Games

Paris, November 16, 2022 – Ubisoft and Riot Games today unveiled the “Zero Harm in Comms” research initiative, a technological collaboration to expand the applicability of their artificial intelligence-based solutions for preventing negative player interactions. This research project intends to build a cross-industry common database and labeling ecosystem that collects in-game data, improving the training of AI-based preemptive moderation tools to detect and reduce disruptive conduct.

Ubisoft and Riot Games, who are both active members of the Fair Play Alliance, are adamant that cooperation and knowledge exchange are the only ways to ensure that online gaming is safe and fulfilling. As a result, this endeavor is a continuation of both firms’ larger quest to develop game systems that encourage more fulfilling social interactions and preventharmful interactions.

“Disruptive player behaviors is an issue that we take very seriously but also one that is very difficult to solve. At Ubisoft, we have been working on concrete measures to ensure safe and enjoyable experiences, but we believe that, by coming together as an industry, we will be able to tackle this issue more effectively.” said Yves Jacquier, Executive Director, Ubisoft La Forge. “Through this technological partnership with Riot Games, we are exploring how to better prevent in-game toxicity as designers of these environments with a direct link to our communities.”

Ubisoft and Riot Games are investigating how to create the technological groundwork for future industry collaboration through the “Zero Harm in Comms” research project. They are also developing the framework that ensures the ethics and privacy of this endeavor. The final database should encompass every type of player and in-game behavior in order to better train Riot Titles’ and Ubisoft’s AI systems thanks to Riot Games’ fiercely competitive games and Ubisoft’s extremely broad portfolio.

“Disruptive behavior isn’t a problem that is unique to games – every company that has an online social platform is working to address this challenging space. That is why we’re committed to working with industry partners like Ubisoft who believe in creating safe communities and fostering positive experiences in online spaces,” said Wesley Kerr, Head of Technology Research at Riot Games. “This project is just an example of the wider commitment and work that we’re doing across Riot to develop systems that create healthy, safe, and inclusive interactions with our games.”

The “Zero Harm in Comms” research project, which is still in its early stages, is the first step in an ambitious cross-industry endeavor that will eventually be of use to the entire player community. No matter how the experiment turns out, Ubisoft and Riot are committed to sharing the lessons learned with the entire industry next year as part of the first research exploration.