On November 23, Riot Games made a significant shift, bidding farewell to Summoner Names and ushering in Riot IDs. This strategic move aimed to streamline user identification across Riot’s diverse gaming platforms.
The transition, facilitated by players with a unique name and tagline, sought to address the issue of impersonation rampant among fans emulating their favorite pro players and community figures, including the iconic Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok.
Thousands of Faker’s ‘Hide on Bush’ clones on Korean server
The repercussions of this transition are evident in Korea, where the renowned solo queue account “Hide on Bush,” historically synonymous with Faker, has seen an influx of clones. Before the Riot ID changes, the name “Hide on Bush” was unequivocally associated with Faker. However, the adoption of Riot IDs has enabled thousands of fans to adopt this moniker with varying taglines, blurring the lines of authenticity.
While some argue that imitation is a form of flattery, the proliferation of “Hide on Bush” accounts in almost every rank in the region raises questions about identity and recognition. Despite the surge of clones, the original “Hide on Bush” account stands tallest. As of the latest update, Faker’s account reigns supreme in Grandmaster with an impressive 830 LP, according to League statistic OP.GG.
Nevertheless, the landscape is teeming with other players adopting the coveted name. In Grandmaster alone, two additional players bear the title “Hide on Bush,” with 19 in Master and many more scattered across lower ranks.
The competition for the throne is evident, as the second-highest-ranked “Hide on Bush” account is a mere 131 LP away from Faker, showcasing heightened activity in solo queue.
The stakes are high, and Faker, unwilling to concede his reign as the best “Hide on Bush” in Korea, may find himself compelled to reenter the competitive grind to defend his title.