OpTic Gaming founder Hector Rodriguez returns to guide the Dallas esports firm

Hector Rodriguez, who founded esports pioneer OpTic Gaming, is returning to guide the Dallas-based gaming company as its current chief executive steps aside.

Rodriguez, known in video gaming circles as “HECZ” founded OpTic in 2006 with a group of friends and built it into one of the most successful gaming organizations. In 2017, OpTic and its then-parent company were sold to Immortals Gaming Club in what was reported to be the first $100 million deal for esports.

He reacquired OpTic in 2020 and a year later merged it with Envy Gaming to form the current company.

CEO Adam Rymer had led the company through the merger and rebranding. Envy Gaming remained after the merger but was retired after six months when the company once again adopted the OpTic brand, which dominates the Call of Duty landscape. The company also acquired streaming technology developer Botisimo.

Rymer will transition into a strategic advisory role immediately, the company said in a statement.

Geoff Moore, president and chief operating officer at OpTic, said Rymer will stay on as a strategic advisor to the company and focus on projects outside of the business.

“Adam has been instrumental in accelerating our business and setting strategic priorities for the future and a driving force in helping our organization more than double revenue over the last 12 months,” Moore said. “We’re continuing to push the industry forward and bring ways to excite and engage with fans … through content, events and new platforms.”

Rymer joined the company after leadership roles at Legendary Entertainment, where he served as president, overseeing operations of Legendary Digital Networks and Chris Hardwick’s The Nerdist as well as at Universal Pictures.

Rodriguez will take charge of the organization’s long-term vision for innovation, content and fan engagement.

The ownership group of OpTic Gaming, which also operates an esports venue in Arlington, includes Rodriguez, Mike Rufail and Gray Television. Rufail founded Envy Gaming.

Related:Envy Gaming retires its esports brand, becomes OpTic Gaming