Look Sports Media – In a year marked by an intensified commitment to competitive integrity, Drew Levin, the influential leader of Product and Strategy for League of Legends, emerged as an unexpected champion for the game’s vast player base. Throughout 2025, Levin leveraged his social media platform to wage a highly public and often confrontational war against illicit player behavior, transforming his online presence into a formidable front against smurfs, account sellers, and various forms of cheating. His candid, often scathing remarks resonated deeply within the community, cementing his status as the year’s most vocal advocate for a fairer Summoner’s Rift.
Levin’s ascent to prominence began in August, sparked by a seemingly minor incident where he surgically dissected an ADC player’s flawed argument about Ashe’s perceived weakness. His blunt assessment of the player’s questionable in-game decisions – famously stating, "your last two q-volleys where you moved toward Vlad while having Leona on screen walking toward you were extremely illegal and killing Vlad would have made zero difference because you cannot stand there" – quickly went viral. This immediate display of sharp wit and directness captivated the League of Legends community, leading to an influx of messages and inadvertently positioning Levin as a de facto public voice for Riot Games. He openly embraced the sudden surge in attention, expressing enthusiasm for the engagement while acknowledging the challenge of managing the newfound volume of interactions.
Days later, Riot Games officially escalated its efforts against smurfing and the proliferation of alternative accounts – long-standing issues that had significantly degraded the game’s quality. Levin was a pivotal architect in this strategic initiative, emphasizing the necessity of systemic solutions to systemic problems. He articulated a strong personal conviction against smurfing, highlighting its inherent disrespect for other players’ time and the fundamental expectation of a fair 50/50 win probability in ranked queues. His stance was unequivocal: "if I queue in ranked, I expect i’m 50% to win at baseline. if someone in my lobby is secretly chall, I definitely don’t have 50% to win. If I knew that beforehand I would not have queued for the game." This sentiment echoed the frustrations of countless players tired of encountering vastly superior opponents intentionally playing below their true skill level.
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Levin’s crusade spared no one. His digital dragnet extended to all forms of illicit activity, accompanied by a stern warning to those attempting to climb the ranks through illegitimate means: "I would encourage you, in the future, to achieve your ranked results without the assistance of players playing well below their skill level." However, even the most stringent enforcer found a rare exception. UK streamer Whatley’s wholesome instance of account sharing, which Levin publicly endorsed as "wholesome as f***," offered a brief glimpse into the nuanced perspective behind his otherwise unyielding resolve.
The impact of Riot’s intensified crackdown was substantial. A single patch saw punitive action taken against approximately 400,000 ranked players, alongside the permanent closure of over 1.5 million accounts identified as sold or botted. In a candid revelation, Levin admitted that this aggressive stance would likely result in a financial loss and a decrease in monthly active users for Riot. Yet, he underscored the company’s unwavering belief in the game’s long-term future, asserting that prioritizing player experience over short-term monetary gains was a necessary investment in the game’s health.
The consequences of these actions were met with predictable outrage from the affected parties. Levin, however, found considerable satisfaction in witnessing the "absolute scenes" of players realizing the gravity of Riot’s enforcement. When confronted by an individual lamenting the loss of income from account selling, Levin’s response was swift and uncompromising, reflecting his zero-tolerance policy for those profiting from detrimental practices.
Among his many viral moments, one particular exchange stood out, earning him the unofficial title of "Roast of the Year" at the League Awards 2025. After enduring repeated pleas of innocence from a persistent cheater, Levin delivered a now-infamous retort that perfectly encapsulated his exasperation and wit. Even while on vacation, his commitment to roasting persistent offenders remained undimmed, showcasing his dedication to the cause beyond his official duties.
As League of Legends looks ahead to significant changes planned for 2026, including continued advancements in smurf detection and the much-anticipated "LoL 2" developments, the foundation laid by Levin’s relentless advocacy for fair play will undoubtedly shape the game’s future. The community, and indeed the developers at Riot, will surely hope that Levin and his team find ample rest during the holidays, as the ongoing battle for competitive integrity promises another eventful year.
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