Fpg explained why esports players should avoid changing their nicknames in Dota 2

Former Virtus.pro planter Artem “Fng” Barshak has said that professional players in Dota 2 should not change their nickname as it’s a representation of their brand and identity which is known amongst fans and changing it could be a blow to their career.

Fng spoke about this during one of the Twitch streams he attended.

"Why don't you change your nickname? I wanted to. I’m an anime fan so I do not remember what I wanted to write as my new nickname but I was really tempted to do so. But Sneg1 talked me out of it, I don't even remember what it was. Anton practically schooled me for half an hour on the importance of maintaining the brand identification that particular individuals rely on and that in most cases, makes people famous. This occurrence happened about the period of time around TI5"

According to him, in 2015, Virtus.pro former director Anton Sneg Cherepenikiv told him not to change his nickname. Whereas for example the majority of professional players, throughout their careers change their nicknames here and there, most go back to the single one which made them popular and everyone knew them with that one particular name.

One notable exception may be Quinn "Quinn" Callahan, who has since changed his name to cut ties with Dota 2 but is still successful under the brand ‘Quinn’.