He had not only pioneered a dominant competitive club, but also moulded its image through video platforms and social media in a manner the rest of the industry has since used as a blueprint. He walked away from that effort amid disagreement with OpTic Gaming’s parent company, Immortals Gaming Club, which held a majority stake after he previously sold majority control for financial assistance.
“It was part of my being,” HECZ told ESPN in September 2019. “I saw it as something that I was.”
On Wednesday, HECZ announced that he had reaquired OpTic Gaming and would turn Chicago’s Huntsmen team into OpTic Chicago in the Call of Duty League. He released a video about the move in which he brought out his old OpTic items from storage, including a diamond pendant.
The move brought excitement to an esports community that recognizes HECZ as a remnant of a more authentic time before competitive gaming was infused with gobs of corporate money.
“Dude I’m so f—ing hyped,” HECZ said in his announcement video after struggling for words.
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Below are some of the celebratory social media reactions to HECZ’s return to OpTic:
