League of Legends now has pros who weren’t even alive when LoL came out

In this latest group of professional gamers from South Korea, there are some individuals who hadn’t been born when League of Legends was first released, signifying the emergence of a fresh and defining cohort of professional eSports athletes.

Many video game series exist that were developed before today’s players were even born. To illustrate, it’s safe to assume that most professionals competing in Street Fighter 6 didn’t live when the initial Street Fighter was released, although some exceptions may apply.

Instead of a direct sequel, League of Legends has constantly evolved over time, preserving its fundamental essence. There’s no version of the original League of Legends to revisit.

Simultaneously, some players in the League of Legends Challenger Korean (LCK) Academy series were not born when League of Legends was launched in October 2009.

LoL now has pro players younger than the game itself

Essentially, League of Legends paved the way for the current free-to-play model by establishing a market for cosmetic items (skins), ensuring the game’s fairness in competition, and still managing to generate revenue and be accessible to everyone.

While it’s true that the cost of those skins has significantly risen, especially the Uzi skin at $430 (quite a jump!), it’s important to remember that many modern gaming conventions originated in League of Legends. It’s no wonder then, given its impact and enduring popularity, that this multiplayer game continues to thrive.

In South Korea, League of Legends (LoL) plays a significant role in their cultural fabric, making it a nation where top-tier professional players often emerge. Many aspiring players begin honing their skills at a young age with the goal of representing South Korea on an international platform.

After all, Faker was a rookie once.

Furthermore, although major Tier 1 leagues such as the LCK have age restrictions, this is not the case for the LCK Academy Series, which functions as a Tier 3 esports platform primarily focused on nurturing raw talent and providing a platform for young Korean players to hone their skills.

Because the League of Legends game has been around for quite some time and there are younger professionals playing it, there are a handful of pro gamers who weren’t even born when League of Legends first debuted.

Based on the current data we have, there are at least three professional League of Legends players who were born after the game was released: XeRone (born August 11, 2010) from DRX Academy, Sappang (born November 15, 2009) from Nongshim Academy, and Solid (born November 19, 2009) from DN Freecs Academy. However, it’s possible that there are more if we consider the tier 3 leagues, but this information is difficult to find.

Hey there, gaming enthusiast here! Despite League of Legends being an oldie in the gaming world, it’s still attracting a flood of new players who bring a breath of fresh air and could potentially shape its professional scene for eternity. Few live service games have managed to survive as long as LoL, and the fact that some pros are younger than the game itself is a clear indication of its enduring appeal in the MOBA genre.

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2025-05-30 17:49