With just a couple weeks before the start of Worlds 2020, Riot Games has dropped the anthem for this year’s tournament. Featuring Jeremy McKinnon from A Day To Remember, MAX, and Henry Lau, “Take Over” follows a young, unknown protagonist guided by Faker, the greatest player to touch the game, as he battles his way to the top. With nothing but his youth, potential, and raw talent at his side, he fights his way through the former world champions to cement himself as one of the legends — a theme relevant to this year’s Worlds that has no defending champion. In fact, only four players from former champion organizations are returning. If there ever was a time deemed “easiest” for the crownless challengers to etch their name in history, this is the year to do so. There is no better time to take over.
As mentioned above, the video tells the story of the young that will usher in a new age of professional League of Legends. Guided by T1 Faker, also known as “The Unkillable Demon King” (2013, 2015, and 2016 champion), the nameless protagonist begins his pursuit for glory. He faces many former champions off-screen, but let’s take a look at those we see.
The protagonist being helped up by T1 Faker – Photo via Riot Games
His first challenger is Xpeke, one of five players to win the first-ever Worlds (2011). Being inexperienced, the protagonist loses to Xpeke who is playing as the champion Kassadin. Xpeke is most famously known for his backdoor win against SK Gaming at IEM Katowice where he was piloting Kassadin. In the music video, it shows Xpeke teleporting behind the protagonist’s back to defeat him — an interesting tribute to one of the game’s most iconic moments.
Through the stoic encouragement from Faker, the protagonist found inspiration to learn from his mistakes and defeated Xpeke.
Xpeke as Kassadin – Photo via Riot Games
Oddly, the video doesn’t continue in chronological order and the protagonist faces off next against one of the most brilliant minds of the game — Mata, the mastermind of Samsung White (SSW). With what many people revere as one of the best rosters to win Worlds, Mata became a champion alongside his teammates in 2014.
Claiming the powers from his former opponent (the power that could be a representation of gaining knowledge), he defeats Mata as his signature champion — Thresh.
SSW Mata as Thresh – Photo via Riot Games
His next notable opponent is one without a face. Sniping from afar is Bebe on the champion Caitlyn. Bebe was a part of the Taipei Assassins (TA) roster that won in 2012. After losing to Bebe and having to start again, he comes out on top and adds another tool to his arsenal.
TA Bebe as Caitlyn – Photo via Riot Games
The next to stand in the protagonist’s way was Bengi, the “Right Hand of God”. Bengi was the jungler for SKT up until 2016 and won Worlds in 2013, 2015, and 2016 — the same years as Faker. Bengi was given his nickname due to his ability to enable Faker and come to the rescue when his team needed him most.
Faker is one that bears many nicknames, the most common being “God” and “The Unkillable Demon King”. You can tell by his nicknames alone that he is a player to be respected, and beside him for all of his world championship wins was Bengi, thus the nickname “Right Hand of God”.
Protagonist stopping SKT Bengi as Jarvan IV – Photo via Riot Games
Tian, the first Chinese player to win Worlds (among others on the roster), was waiting for him next. In 2018, Invictus Gaming (IG) delivered China their first Worlds trophy and brought an end to the overwhelming Korean dynasty.
For the first time in the video since defeating an opponent, the protagonist is overwhelmed by Tian’s strength and sets aside the weapons he obtained from those he fell. The young talent came into his own to fight with his own strength. Not only did he win with his own hands, but he cast aside that which represented Tian’s champion (Lee Sin).
IG Tian as Lee Sin – Photo via Riot Games
And finally, after defeating Tian, the protagonist finds himself at the finals against his friend that can be spotted earlier in the video. This is the first time we are shown an opponent that has no name — another pillar supporting the idea that Riot appears to be recognizing the likelihood of someone without a title walking home with the grandest that League of Legends has to offer.
Photo via Riot Games
Will a new champion be crowned? Will the dominance that China established in 2018 through their aggressiveness continue? Will an underdog topple the giants? With the cancelling of this year’s Mid-Season Invitational due to COVID-19, there are many questions to be answered. How the regions match-up is unknown. We don’t have to wait too long to find out, however. Worlds 2020 begins on September 25th as twenty-two teams from around the world collide in Shanghai.
Check out “Take Over” by Riot Games featuring Jeremy McKinnon, MAX, and Henry Lau below.
What's your reaction?
