By Sagar V. Mankar In a historic moment for the esports industry, South Korean professional League of Legends player Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok has been inducted into the newly established Hall of Legends, launched by game developer Riot Games.
This prestigious “Hall of Fame”-esque honor recognizes Faker’s unparalleled achievements and contributions to the world of League of Legends and esports.
Who is Faker?
Faker, known as “The Unkillable Demon King,” has been a dominant force in the League of Legends scene since his debut in 2013. At just 28 years old, he has already etched his name in the history books with an impressive list of accolades:
- 10 LCK (League of Legends Champions Korea) titles
- 2 Mid-Season Invitational titles
- 4 World Championship trophies (2013, 2015, 2016, and 2023)
His exceptional skills and consistent dominance made him win several prestigious awards last year including:
- Best Esports Athlete – The Game Awards 2023
- Esports PC Player of the Year – The Esports Awards 2023
- Esports Content of the Year – The Esports Awards 2023
John Needham, president of esports at Riot Games, stated, “Faker is truly the most iconic and influential figure in League of Legends and esports history. His name is synonymous with excellence in LoL Esports, and he has rightfully earned his place as our very first Hall of Legends inductee.”
What is the Hall of Legends?
In January 2024, Riot Games unveiled the Hall of Legends, an initiative to honor the most influential figures in the League of Legends scene. The plan is to induct one professional player annually into the Hall of Legends, selected by a voting panel of esports industry veterans and experts.
The panel will consider factors such as international berths, international and regional titles, role-specific stats, and contributions to the sport. Faker fits well into these criteria, which is why he was selected (and mostly predicted) as the first recipient of the coveted Hall of Legends trophy.
In-Game and IRL Events Celebrating Faker’s Legacy
To commemorate Faker’s achievements, Riot Games has planned a series of initiatives in partnership with automotive manufacturer Mercedes-Benz, a long-standing global partner of League of Legends eSports events.
- In-Game Event: Features exclusive cosmetic items based on Faker.
- Mercedes-Benz Tribute: Mercedes-Benz will create a piece of art highlighting Faker’s greatest achievements and present him with a customized Mercedes-AMG SL 63.
- Financial Rewards: Faker will receive a percentage of revenues from in-game sales during the event.
As the first inductee, Faker’s legacy will forever be etched in the annals of League of Legends history, inspiring future generations of players and setting the standard for excellence in esports.