Riot Games celebrated 15 years of esports with the release of the anthem “Sacrifice” on October 13, 2025. The song, performed by Chinese artist G.E.M., follows last year’s track, “Heavy Is The Crown,” by Linkin Park. Accompanying the anthem is an ambitious animated music video that honors significant players and moments from the League of Legends competitive scene.
Key Players Featured in “Sacrifice” Music Video
The music video features a variety of renowned players from both past and present. They have made a profound impact on the League of Legends scene.
- Rasmus “Caps” Winther (G2 Esports) – Known for his iconic Sylas play in the 2020 Worlds quarterfinals against Gen.G.
- Đỗ “Levi” Duy Khánh (GAM Esports) – Represents his underdog legacy with Karthus during the 2022 Worlds Group Stage.
- Kang “TheShy” Seung-lok (Invictus Gaming) – Features in a dramatic battle against G2 Esports in the 2018 semifinals.
- Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok (T1) – A pivotal scene showcases Faker’s iconic play against Ruler in the 2023 semifinals.
- Park “Ruler” Jae-hyuk (Gen.G / JDG) – Portrayed throughout the video, representing both his early and later career highlights.
- Luka “Perkz” Perković (G2 Esports) – Appears in the crossover sequence against Invictus Gaming.
- Choi “Zeus” Woo-je (T1) and Seo “Kanavi” Jin-hyeok (JDG) – Symbolize a climactic duel from the 2023 semifinals.
- Jian “Uzi” Zihao – A Hall of Fame inductee and legendary LPL player, recognized for his contribution to Chinese narratives at Worlds.
- Kim “Deft” Hyuk-kyu (DRX) – Represents his emotional victory at the 2022 Worlds.
- Chen “Bin” Ze-Bin (Bilibili Gaming) – Celebrates his quarterfinals win in 2024.
- Maciej “Shushei” Ratuszniak (Fnatic) – Features as the first ever world champion, lifting the Summoner’s Cup.
Hidden References and Cameos
Beyond the primary players, the video contains numerous subtle nods to the game’s rich history. Several notable figures make brief appearances, showcasing the expansive esports legacy.
- Đặng “Kati” Thanh Phê
- Hong “Pyosik” Chang-hyeon
- Cho “BeryL” Geon-hee
- Shunsuke “Evi” Murase
Cameos include a nostalgic reference to Marcus “Dyrus” Hill’s retirement, as well as a humorous nod to the “Broccoli Faker” phenomenon. Emotional moments are highlighted throughout, drawing parallels between the past and present.
Emotional Moments and Celebrations
The animation revisits iconic scenes, such as:
- Faker’s tears during the 2017 Finals, mirrored by Ryu “Keria” Min-seok’s emotions in 2022.
- Celebrations from Martin “Rekkles” Larsson after Fnatic overcomes a challenging group stage in 2017.
- The iconic Albus Nox Luna celebration against ROX Tigers in 2016.
With the release of “Sacrifice,” Riot Games not only showcases musical prowess but also celebrates the players who have defined the League of Legends universe. This tribute to the past emphasizes the ongoing legacy and evolution of esports.
