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The Impact and Legacy of Faker in the Esports Community: A Comprehensive Analysis

GOOVER DAILY REPORT August 3, 2024
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. Summary
  2. Faker's Career Highlights and Achievements
  3. Faker's Influence on Esports Culture
  4. Business Ventures and Contributions
  5. Challenges and Controversies
  6. Summary of Recent Performances and Future Outlook
  7. Conclusion

1. Summary

  • This report, titled 'The Impact and Legacy of Faker in the Esports Community: A Comprehensive Analysis,' examines the illustrious career of Faker (Lee Sang-hyeok), a celebrated esports player renowned for his prowess in the game League of Legends. Covering various aspects of his career, the report details his achievements, including significant tournament wins, MVP awards, records, and historical milestones. It also highlights his broader influence on the esports culture and business, his media presence, and his role as a part-owner of T1 Entertainment & Sports. Furthermore, the report discusses challenges faced by Faker, such as a wrist injury and market controversies, while also emphasizing his contributions to the ongoing success of his team, T1.

2. Faker's Career Highlights and Achievements

  • 2-1. Introduction to Faker

  • Faker, born Lee Sang-hyeok on May 7, 1996, in Seoul, South Korea, is widely regarded as the greatest League of Legends player of all time. He began his professional career in 2013 with SK Telecom T1, now known as T1 Entertainment & Sports. Over the years, Faker has consistently demonstrated exceptional skill, versatility, and dedication to the game, earning numerous accolades and setting multiple records. His impact on the esports industry extends beyond his in-game performance, as he is also a highly marketed figure and a part-owner of T1 Entertainment & Sports.

  • 2-2. Major Tournament Wins and MVP Awards

  • Faker's career is decorated with numerous major tournament wins and MVP awards. He has led T1 to victory in three World Championships and two Mid-Season Invitational titles, making them the most decorated team in League of Legends history. Faker himself has received multiple MVP awards, including a World Championship MVP, an MSI MVP, two LCK season MVPs, an LCK finals MVP, an LCK Player of the Year award, and an LCK Mid Laner of the Year award. In 2024, Faker was honored with the MVP award at the Esports World Cup, further cementing his legendary status in the esports community.

  • 2-3. Records Held and Historical Milestones

  • Faker holds several significant records in the esports world. He is the first player to reach 1,000, 2,000, and 3,000 kills in the LCK and the first to have played 700 games and won 600 games in the LCK. Additionally, he holds the record for the most kills in World Championship matches and was the first player to surpass 100 World Championship wins. Notably, Faker is the first player to achieve 2,500 kills in his career. His versatility is highlighted by the fact that he has played 70 different champions in the LCK and 74 across his entire career. In recognition of his achievements, Faker was inducted into the Esports Hall of Fame in 2019 and the League of Legends Hall of Fame in 2024. Furthermore, he was named the Best Esports Player at The Game Awards in 2017 and 2023, and appeared on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in Asia Entertainment & Sports in 2019.

3. Faker's Influence on Esports Culture

  • 3-1. Recognition and Awards

  • Faker has received numerous accolades throughout his career, setting records and gaining recognition in various forms. His individual achievements include a World Championship Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, an MSI MVP award, two LCK season MVP awards, an LCK finals MVP award, an LCK Player of the Year award, an LCK Mid Laner of the Year award, and two LCK First-All Pro Team designations. Additionally, he holds records such as being the first player to reach 1,000, 2,000, and 3,000 kills, the first to play 700 games, and the first to win 600 games in the LCK. Faker also boasts the record for the most kills in World Championship matches and was the first to surpass 100 World Championship wins. Internationally, he represented South Korea at the Asian Games, earning a silver medal in 2018 and a gold in 2022. He was also named the Best Esports Player at The Game Awards in 2017 and 2023 and was featured on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in Asia Entertainment & Sports in 2019.

  • 3-2. Media Appearances and Marketing Impact

  • Faker’s influence extends beyond gaming into media and marketing. Known as one of the most marketed esports figures, he has appeared in numerous commercials and talk shows. The media often covers both his gameplay and personality, increasing his visibility and impact. In 2020, Faker became part-owner and executive of T1 Entertainment & Sports, further solidifying his influence in the business aspect of esports. His annual salary, as of 2020, was estimated to be nearly US$5 million, highlighting his significant market value.

  • 3-3. Induction into Halls of Fame

  • Faker’s exceptional career has earned him several Hall of Fame inductions. He was inducted into the Esports Hall of Fame in 2019, acknowledging his global influence and achievements in the esports industry. Furthermore, he was honored by Riot Games with the first induction into the newly established Hall of Legends in League of Legends. This induction celebrates his monumental impact on the game, commemorating his contributions through a dedicated Hall of Legends event with exclusive in-game content and expensive, collectible bundles. Despite some backlash from the community regarding the high prices of these bundles, Riot Games defended these actions as necessary to support the esports ecosystem.

4. Business Ventures and Contributions

  • 4-1. Co-ownership of T1 Entertainment & Sports

  • Faker became a part-owner and executive of T1 Entertainment & Sports in 2020. T1, largely thanks to Faker, is the most decorated team in League of Legends (LoL) history, being the only team to boast three World Championships victories, two Mid-Season Invitational titles, and numerous LoL Championship Korea (LCK) championships. In 2022, Faker and T1 continued to set and break records, such as reprising a 14-0 win streak during the LCK Spring Split.

  • 4-2. Annual Earnings and Financial Influence

  • Faker's annual salary in 2020 was estimated to be nearly US$5 million. His financial influence extends beyond his salary as he is one of the most marketed esports figures, appearing in numerous commercials and talk shows. His significant earnings and market presence have greatly contributed to the financial stability and popularity of T1 Entertainment & Sports.

5. Challenges and Controversies

  • 5-1. Wrist Injury and Recovery

  • In 2022, Faker suffered a wrist injury that significantly impacted his performance and the performance of his team, T1. During the Summer Split, Faker had to sit out for four weeks, during which T1's form plummeted under the replacement of Yoon ‘Poby’ Seong-won, resulting in a 7-9 record with a 1-7 run. However, Faker made a notable comeback just before the final week of the regular season, which helped T1 finish as runners-up to Gen.G in the playoffs and secure a spot in Worlds 2023. By September 2025, Faker reported a full recovery from his wrist injury, crediting the treatment he received in Korea. Nevertheless, he candidly admitted that he was not yet playing at 100 percent capacity. His updates on recovery were crucial for T1 as they aimed to end their international title drought since 2017. Faker’s recovery was further demonstrated by his participation and performance during the 2022 Asian Games, where he represented South Korea and helped the team finish top of Group A.

  • 5-2. Market Exploration and Contract Negotiations

  • Faker, widely regarded as one of the greatest esports players, explored his market options extensively post-2022 when his contract with T1 was nearing its end. Reports indicated that he considered offers from several regions, including North America, with specific interest from teams such as Team Liquid and FlyQuest. Despite the speculations and mounting interest from other leagues, Faker re-signed with T1 for another three years as of November 28, 2022. His decision to remain with T1 was influenced by his long-standing association with the team, which also included part-ownership. Notably, Faker had previously declined lucrative offers, including a $10 million per year contract from LCS and a $20 million per year offer from China's LPL, emphasizing his commitment to T1 and its legacy. This commitment was complemented by the strong relationship developed between Faker, his family, and the T1 organization.

  • 5-3. Community Backlash on Expensive Bundles

  • The introduction of the Faker-themed bundles by Riot Games sparked significant outrage within the League of Legends community due to their exorbitant prices. In celebration of Faker's induction into the Hall of Legends, Riot released various bundles with escalating prices. The Risen Legend Collection, costing roughly $40, included several in-game items like the Hall of Legends pass, an Ahri skin, and exclusive emotes. However, the more premium bundles, namely the Immortalized Legend Collection and the Signature Immortalized Legend Collection, priced at approximately $250 and $400 respectively, were met with widespread backlash. These high-cost bundles, despite their exclusive and extensive in-game rewards, were viewed as excessively pricey, leading to dissatisfaction among even the most dedicated Faker fans. This controversy highlighted the community's sensitivity to pricing and the challenges companies face in balancing monetization with consumer sentiment.

6. Summary of Recent Performances and Future Outlook

  • 6-1. T1's Performance in 2024

  • On April 14, 2024, T1 faced Gen.G in the grand finals of the LCK Spring Split. Despite a fierce fight, T1 lost with a score of 2-3. Although they did not win, their performance secured them a spot at the 2024 Mid-Season Invitational (MSI). Head coach Kim 'kkOma' Jeong-gyun expressed gratitude towards the players and fans, emphasizing the importance of continuing to entertain the fans with good games. Faker also reflected on the loss, acknowledging the team's strength and the lessons learned from the match.

  • 6-2. Faker's Role in Recent Tournaments

  • Faker, known for his pivotal role on the team, remained a key player during the 2024 season. Despite the ups and downs experienced throughout the season, Faker noted that the team's synergy improved, especially after the playoffs. This improvement was evident in their strong showing in subsequent matches and their qualification for MSI. In interviews, Faker expressed determination to bring the championship title back to Korea during the upcoming MSI, highlighting his ongoing commitment to T1 and competitive success.

  • 6-3. Recent Contract Renewals and Future Potential

  • Faker's contract negotiations have often been a focal point in the esports community. In recent years, he explored options in various regions, including North America and China. However, he consistently chose to stay with T1. In November 2022, Faker re-signed with T1 for another three years, despite receiving substantial offers from other regions. This decision underlined his strong ties to T1, partly due to his role as part-owner and the long-standing relationship between Faker and T1. His continued presence on the team is expected to bolster T1’s performance and maintain their competitive edge.

7. Conclusion

  • Faker's unparalleled contributions to the esports realm, distinguished by his extraordinary skill and longevity, transcend mere gameplay to influence both culture and business. His illustrious career is marked by multiple world championships, MVP awards, and notable records in League of Legends, consolidating his status as a legendary figure. Despite facing significant challenges, such as his damaging wrist injury and market backlash over promotional bundles, Faker has consistently demonstrated resilience and commitment. By choosing to remain with T1 Entertainment & Sports, Faker not only reinforces the team's legacy but also continues to inspire fans and budding players alike. His future in esports holds the promise of further achievements, ensuring his position as an enduring icon in the competitive gaming landscape. The application of his experience and market influence will likely shape the future dynamics and professionalization of esports, setting standards for both current and future generations of gamers.

8. Glossary

  • 8-1. Faker (Lee Sang-hyeok) [Person]

  • Faker, born on May 7, 1996, in Seoul, is a renowned esports player known for his skill in League of Legends. He has won numerous titles and holds several records. He is also a significant figure in esports culture and business, being a part-owner of T1 Entertainment & Sports.

  • 8-2. T1 Entertainment & Sports [Company]

  • An esports organization co-owned by Faker, known for its success in multiple gaming titles, especially League of Legends. T1 has won several World Championships and Mid-Season Invitationals.

  • 8-3. League of Legends [Game]

  • A multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game developed by Riot Games. It is one of the most popular esports titles, with a vibrant professional scene in which Faker has significantly excelled.

9. Source Documents