Why H3CZ left OpTic Gaming for NRG

OpTic Gaming CEO Hector ‘H3CZ’ Rodriguez officially announced his departure from the organization he built from the ground up in an emotional video on September 15.

Hector has led the organization since 2007 but sold the controlling stake in the company to Infinite Esports & Entertainment in 2017 in what was billed as a major next step for the brand. 

However, after a troubled two years which included public disputes and mass layoffs, Infinite was acquired by Immortals in June 2019.

H3CZ’s position in the new organization was initially unclear, with reports suggesting that he and Immortals CEO Ari Seagal had met to discuss a position for the now-former CEO.

However, speculation began circling that negotiations had broken down following a Tweet made by H3CZ after the announcement that the Los Angeles CoD franchise spot would be named OpTic.

The simple but powerful “that ain’t us” statement sent shockwaves around the competitive Call of Duty scene with scores of GreenWall fans predicting that their iconic leader would inevitably leave the brand.

One by one, OpTic content creators and teams began announcing they would be leaving the organization in the weeks that followed, but it wasn’t until September 15 that Hector made his position clear.

In a joint statement, Immortals and Rodriguez confirmed that meetings had taken place and, although they were “extensive and amicable”, H3CZ “declined the opportunity to remain in his current role with OpTic”.

The legendary Call of Duty figure will now start a new chapter in NRG…