An Unfiltered Conversation with OpTic H3CZ

[@josh7693]

This man is on the Mount Rushmore of Gaming/Esports. Hecz is an absolute legend

[@Krome1111]

Straight facts

[@Yumadlol]

imagine if he never sold to immortals

[@PerkAngle123]

He is the mountain. The Mount Rushmore was built across Hector Rodriguez back.

[@CarioGreenwood]

@@Yumadlolhe neeeded to at the time for there to even be a now bro

[@toxicgracie3772]

He's the foundation of E-Sports. He darn near invented it. People don't realize OpTic is older than FaZe

[@xCh4nce]

We NEED more OGs like H3CZ here. Hearing the behind the scenes of the industry is AWESOME for us that have been around since 2010.

[@wcc4269]

Not many like him

[@gunslinga7077]

Not gonna find em. Optic are the the ogs of cod

[@kingandrewjoeyjohns]

H3CZ is the only OG, theres no esports without him.

[@r1chhforeverr292]

2 legends

[@jakeandrew333]

@@kingandrewjoeyjohnsexactly. I’ve always heard about this guy, in the scenes, but never actually tuned into him so it’s cool hearing his story

[@TerryBernardino]

Jude is the most underrated part of the OpTic lore. If she did what most women do when men have a crazy idea and shoot it down, there likely isn't the OpTic we have today. She also did so much behind the scenes back in the OpTic house days prior to going to more of a corporate style of business.

[@thangs660]

now she got enough money to do whatever she wants. you're right she is the Queen of OpTic!

[@UserName-vv1ws]

Oh forsure man, I hope we get an in depth undated podcast with her. Would love to see OG from her perspective. What a goat

[@emperorblkfox5956]

That’s why we was happy back when he did the podcast and, had her on to shed insight.

[@thecodjed1]

She’s literally Mrs. Hecz, it’s what she’s always called herself. She is a much bigger part of the gaming community than she probably understands.

[@reecebrown6686]

Nailed it brother

[@PuReGhOsTT]

This is why I watch every piece of content that OpTic releases. They're the goats of this industry

[@weggyocean8691]

bahahah optic meat rider

[@JoeBidensaPed0]

you sound like a virgin

[@CruzIsYouTube]

i love hearing H3CZ talk. Dude has the best outlook on life and you can learn so much from him. Great interview Apex

[@itsviibes5854]

Zerkaa would be a sick guest, going from one of the OG OG’s in cod sniping and one of the biggest cod sniping channels at the time to now being in the sidemen. That would be such an interesting podcast

[@xCavght]

Yes plz. This was an insane prospective. The community of people making clans of call of duty and making videos for KZbin. It’s crazy to think about my experiences in this community.

[@gilly451]

I know it may be tough to do but WE NEED A JEV INTERVIEW. Plzzz Apex❤

[@Charles-j6v]

Ohhhhh I hope that him liking this is a sign😂😂

[@LucidDream34]

Please

[@Delg]

We’re good

[@ohzed8767]

Holy shit that’s such a good idea jev would go viral for sure

[@julianv6819]

No

[@MoBuckets-f5j]

Hearing him speak about the respect he has for his Mother and Father is heartwarming ❤️ So much respect for this man! Great interview

[@nurginace]

Being from El Paso, I love how Hecz speaks about the city. His love for the city is evident, makes me happy

[@aarongarcia2911]

He went to El Paso for his show eatiots. Good episode. No chicos tacos though 😂

[@WeGameHard]

I am 30 now and remember creating a sniping team with my online friends in high school and grinding for hours and hours together creating the best memories. I was a massive Optic fan growing up and still watch COD competitive to support the scene because of how influential it was growing up. My first MLG event MLG Dallas 2013 Black Ops 2 we playing Optic Gaming in open bracket wr3 and the crowd watching us get dominated while playing split screen will always stick with me. I never thought I'd be playing against a team I followed for so long, was completely surreal and everyone from Optic at the event was exactly how I imagined them being. You are told never meet your heros or whatever but they were so friendly and everyone jumped in to take a group photo after our 0-2 map even Hecz. That made me a lifelong fan of Optic and Nadeshot. Now that I'm older with more life experience I understand the stress Hecz must have been feeling every day on this gamble of making a living gaming. Great podcast episode and this is exactly what I have been wanting to listen to after all these years and living through the boom of e sports. Thanks for attending my Ted Talk. #Greenwall

[@FullSweatTryhard]

Watching competitive CoD at 30? What a dork!

[@connorlynch428]

​@@FullSweatTryhard I hope this is sarcasm with a name like that

[@FullSweatTryhard]

@@connorlynch428 my shits public… I don’t play that shit. Haven’t touched a CoD game in over a decade. Shit is for sweaty 12 year olds and hackers.

[@dirtyslurricane]

I haven’t watched faze right before the clout house after the first LA crib, but this apex series has got me back into all of it

[@masonstep6577]

Couldn’t agree more! I love the direction of his new content and the “comeback” of our beloved og members

[@rampageGentil]

Your comment makes no sense lol

[@landon7045]

Check out his “Secret” gaming channel too, feels like OG apex with the editing style and all.

[@19kambo]

Everything faze had built went to downhill after they moved to LA (Newport and clouthouse) and clout/ content creator era took over to what we have now

[@tylerdewald6916]

​@landon7045 what about Apexs "SECRET" gaming channel do you not understand buddy boy.

[@DunnHere]

H3CZ needs to write a book or come out with a documentary using his production team about his story and the journey into what competitive COD and making money off of gaming has become

[@Vesta9Sniping]

Has to be done fr

[@11estephen]

He’s been doing it documentary style for years

[@t.j.canese1814]

There’s a book that’s some years old at this point but look up “the process.”Or the older ones are called “vision”

[@massimosalvatore9559]

ur profile pic is a goated album

[@HandTingSeason]

that pfp took me back

[@djw7544]

I’m hyped to watch this. Two OGs talking about the good ole days and how it we got here. Hell yea

[@AFadedGamer]

It’s quite nostalgic to hear the stories and know bits of it from the past

[@Brizzy_bb]

Hecz’s story has always motivated me to have my own “optic day” where I’m finally able to quit my corporate job and pursue my own passions. Thank you Hecz for the decade of entertainment and motivation.

[@MonzMunkyz]

Hellyeah!

[@mikemanning2191]

You know Nordan’s hyped to see this 😂

[@EsuEsuEsuuu]

this is quite literally the best Convo yet

[@CrozySpoN11]

I think it's so telling that behind every great man there is a woman just fully supporting him and helping him build his empire behind the scenes! Truly deserves a lot of credit! Hecz truly is an inspiration of what a man can achieve in his life if he just fully commits!

[@MonzMunkyz]

Facts! Him saying he does these big things to impress Jude lol thats a flex haha

[@ramp622]

Hecz is great. Him and optic were pioneers for esports, and he specifically tried to encourage scump, nadeshot, and the whole optic crew to make content instead of just competing. Which very few orgs were trying to push on their players back then. Love hector. Also sidenote, you are very good at getting the whole picture from people apex. this is your calling for sure.

[@iZippyZero]

There is no FaZe without OpTic, There is no Nadeshot without OpTic. There is no Scumpii without OpTic. There is not OpTic without H3CZ. Absolute Legend....

[@toxicgracie3772]

Do you remember OpTic Predator

[@toxicgracie3772]

Btw, love this comment. Most people don't realize OpTic came before Faze

[@inducement]

@@toxicgracie3772 yes

[@xavierraymond2735]

@@toxicgracie3772fax pred really made them in the early years 😂😂 when they were still a sniping team good times

[@JA-dm3le]

@@toxicgracie3772yea. But there really isn’t any of them with hecz. His vision and love for cod took them above they ever thought they could be . Hecz is what messi was to Barcelona. To what curry is to the warriors. To what pele was to Brazil. Hecz took them to the next level. The man.

[@SirTarnacle]

Hecz is the goat man. Legend in the space and all around great person.

[@ehlude]

he was genuinely the master mind behind all of this. Big respect 🫡

[@MiNiNiiNjA]

the green and red lights are a nice touch

[@Yasxh]

This was an amazing ep. We def needs banks and tommy on together for a similar break down of FaZe and the behind the scenes of how everything started and went down hill. I know we've heard things here and there but never really heard the complete story as Hecz broke it down with OpTic!

[@Dreamlineleather]

Great video loved how you let him talk without interrupting you are a great host. Hecz is very knowledgeable been watching since cod 4. I don’t game anymore but I still keep up as much as I can through KZbin exc. I wish hecz and optic nothing but the best and I will continue to be a fan at heart !

[@Shyru]

hearing hutch's name mentioned is soooo nostalgic for me. if anyone remember's pinktage days you're beyond og and I can't believe how old we are now. hutch, grizz, predator, dtreats, toysoldier, ireapzzz etc so many og legends that don't get the respect they deserve

[@imDezrt]

DTreats had a crazy shot, esp on CoD2. I remember watching him and Smoky DRFT around the same time and knowing clip standards wouldn't be the same. Then Reapzz just fucked it up for everyone lol

[@melrah666]

i dont think ive heard the name ireapzzz in like 12 years.. now i feel old asf

[@AlmightyWolf]

Toysoldier was my go to. Not only was his montages lit but he put me on so much music that I would've never listened to otherwise

[@RetrETH]

the hutch and seananners dual comms.. the feels

[@Valence_]

Thank you for this episode Apex! ❤❤ it was such an honour to hear H3CZ talk about the origins of the whole industry. 1:00:35 negotiating with activision to get exclusive skins for his players is CRAZY🔥 yall are the goats, the ones that inspired me to build up my own gaming channel and show me it was possible as a kid 🙏

[@Jaymzi]

I think this is the first time I've watched the entirety of a 2 hour video and paid attention the whole time. Great interview.

[@WatchMattGo]

The things H3CZ did for the world of gaming in general is just insane. I remember seeing him in an actual movie and thinking I can't believe this guy who plays video games is making it this big. It gave me the confidence to want to do the same. What an absolute legend, he also just seems like the same guy he was over a decade ago.

[@therealmattseal]

Man you are KILLING IT WITH THE GUESTS! My new favorite pod.

[@joshuah_lee]

Apex's new podcast has got to be the best series of FaZe content I've seen in a longgg time

[@MaciekSter]

Papa Hecz. He doesn’t even know it, but he raised me. I was there watching OpTic in 2008-9, right before Hutch joined. This is literally bringing me goosebumps. I remember everyone he mentioned to a t.

[@DinglexX]

Hecz dropping some gems on our heads what a killer interview

[@jimgallagher5441]

What an EP. Just like going over a long lost children's book you found.. Can remember it all as if it was yesterday. OG H3CZ. Pioneer of the Esports community. GOATS.

[@energy5076]

Unc Apex, i’ve watched your content in middle school during the NY era, watched your content in high school during the LA era, and watched the downfall during college. I’m basically an unc too now and watching these new videos of yours on my way to work makes me feel like a kid again, and that’s the biggest blessing anyone can give. Keep at it man.

[@CRAZYPSN510]

First podcast that I finished all the way through . Great stuff man! Being a viewer for many many years. It was eye opening and refreshing to hear the struggles and successes of the industry. Gives me motivation to one day make it big and have a great team in my line of work.

[@PunJee]

Finally, Hecz gotta be one of the most interesting people on the internet

[@jkzamien]

That was such a good video. Even though I've been an OpTic fan since the 6050 days, I learned some new things from this conversation. You're a natural at this. Good shit.

[@toxicgracie3772]

Do you remember OpTic Predator? And the video titled "Predators"?

[@zachb9827]

man listening to this conversation is so crazy as someone whos been around the scene and followed optic from the early sniping days. so many great moments and memories just from a viewers standpoint came back to me as i was watching this

[@junya8419]

hearing them bring up my favorite cod player ever m8A03 predator and just knowing there are others that just know something so niche feels amazing bro

[@rickruss23]

Hecz just says “I’m creative.” Bro you’re a fucking genius, stop it lol

[@DaleHD]

Wow, trip down memory lane, I've been in the community since 2008 and remember it all like yesterday. What a journey. I still have the xbox 360 faceplate hector made for me in 2009 haha, best $40 i ever spent

[@LifeOfMasson]

Followed Optic since 2014, H3CZ really has been such a great leader and has had great awareness for his brand and players within Optic, but also has seemed to go above and beyond for his team mates. Love to see the success, well deserved!

[@Milla4life2]

I never been too big into faze, but I have loved this podcast series. You really are a good interviewer.

[@TeamHoudiniYGO]

Man hecz came a long way you’re the goat bro created OpTic it’ll live on forever and be a staple in the esports scene forever I see it

[@BRANDONSHIEH]

I love this podcast! This is great! Keep up the good work Yousef! Or FaZe Apex! I want to see Jev on this podcast!

[@manny0954]

WOW what an episode! I've never personally watched any of the optic content but was always aware of hecz place in the industry and hearing him talk about it was really informative and worthwhile. In the past decade that I've been a part of the "gaming community" I have never heard anyone say anything bad about him. This episode showcased why! Great work Apex

[@jefffifer9709]

H3CZ the Goat. No one did it better.

[@EpicReviewsHQ]

You really cooked 🍳with this one hats off this is gonna be a banger Green 💚 Wall for life

[@mikey-h3h3]

As a long time fan, these podcasts are so nostalgic. It's been 13 years since I first heard of FaZe clan, I was 12 years old back then, and it's stuck with me ever since.Almost can't believe I'm becoming 25 this year. I still watch the old montages and house videos very often. I'm very happy that u guys played a big part of my youth/life, and still do to this day. Seeing these podcasts makes me excited again for what's to come. I will always keep watching FaZe clan, best sniping team ever! Greetings from Belgium

[@the_eclipze81]

Wow. This meeting of minds is perfect to set the tone for the year, thank you for getting the Hecz timeline in one solid solid interview. Love

[@ProsDoPvP]

Apex, I never actively watched your content, prior NY days and even the NY days, but recently I've been consistently watching your uploads! Both on your main channel and 'secret channel,' I love what you're doing. This feels super fresh in the dull age of KZbin content. Keep it up!!

[@piglet8207]

Love hecz. always been intrigued with his story. amazing !

[@David90STI]

This is a great interview.. not only on Hector’s part but the questions and back and forth dialogue was great.

[@TitanicCircleGames]

Probably one of the best one on one vids I’ve seen Ina long time good shit apex🫡

[@aarongarcia2911]

Ive heard so many stories and podcast from Hecz. But never this deep. This is the best one hes ever done. Great job Apex. Opened him up, asked the right questions and most importantly let him talk. Too many podcasters dont understand when its time to talk amd when its time to let the magic happen

[@bryceflickss]

No idea how this podcast hasnt gotten more attention. Much needed, another great video Apex

[@bk-xy2xg]

hecz really is the OG. such a cool dude. the work he puts into everything he does is next level. respect

[@credencenielsen1894]

You should rewatch the 1 mil teamtage!!! There are so many players in there that will just be forgotten about. Just rewatched it for the first time in ages and just seeing names like STYL and natural gave me crazy nostalgia. Also sprat and pamaj had soo many clips in there. I remember when they were finally teamed up in that era. Miss those days

[@iM2Rich]

awesome video, i never like or comment on videos but this one was awesome, watched all the way through & enjoyed the vulnerable & serious, happy & larger than life experiences, 23 here & been a fan of both OpTic & FaZe, FaZe when it was content & OpTic in Call Of Duty when i got my first xbox one for Christmas with a 14 day gold trial at 16, all this to say Apex & Hecz, i’m glad good ones made it & i hope you guys continue to be blessed.

[@EAJarrett]

I remember OpTic Predator, he was the reason I starting watching Sniping and OpTic. This whole video brings me down memory lane and the most interactable video I can sit and listen to fully. This is just humans talking about the work that they push through to make a business work and its astonishing how far its gotten to. Congratulations to both Hector and Apex for everything you've done to the gaming community and peoples lives heck careers and passion.

[@Tizou007]

This was insane. Hearing more from Apex about what went wrong and hearing Hecz struggle was so inspirational. I loveeeed this so much I grew up on both of these orgs. Hearing this is what I needed.

[@kingivan4956]

Best podcast ever, been a Hauge fan of both OpTic and faze from mw2. So nice to see the story both good and bad from both OpTic and faze. Munch love from a true number noe fan!!

[@hbrdmmnts]

This is incredible! Over the years, I heard a lot of history from Hecz interviews, but not like this!

[@TTBSQUAD]

This was the best interview I’ve heard from Hecz. I’ve been following him Since the beginning but listening to this brought me back and legit gave me goosebumps. Man what a time to be alive back then. Dude when COD 4 was released every branch of the military was at my GameStop recruiting at the midnight release and you could play 1v1”s in the back of the army’s hummer. Crazy time man and these dudes were the leaders of it all. Green wall for life

[@Big_Fella15]

Great interview. Fell away from COD and competitive gaming for years and fell back into it with BO6. Such good memories hearing all the names and love Hecz. Guy is a legend

[@tigerr5775]

Excited to listen to this, you love that you got Teeqo on, my goat, i know its probably impossible, but Jev would be an absolute BANGER

[@syedahmed-ep4wg]

Bros been trying everything to contact Jev. Apex Just made a new vid asking Jev on his secret gaming channel😂

[@Lachxx]

this was a very good watch, been around since 2010ish. growing up with optic and faze was awesome im sure a lot of people feel the same way. keep up the interviews these videos are great and makes us feel like we're apart of it

[@MISANORS6]

Hecz had a "MY" TOP 5 COD 4 SNIPER MONTAGES video 9 years ago, the nr 1 on the list qLimAxzU was my teacher at a tyre shop which I worked at when I was 14 y/o, I randomly found out at a lunch break when I watched H3CZ video and qLimAxzU said "did he just say my old gamertag?" I had no idea this mid 20s guy who I worked with everyday was a cod 4 legend. Insane story for me who adored hecz, that he knew this montage from a random swedish guy living in my small town in sweden

[@hapaise2924]

man this content as i have grown from really playing, watching these podcasts are really fun just becuase we get the inside scoop of a business but we can also start and learn alot! awesome my brotha

[@colinmcmasters5819]

This is awesome. You should try to get Pamaj as a guest!

[@NEMLITURCO]

What a nice episode I really enjoyed that one. What a inspiring guy Hecz is, growing up in that era while he was fighting the battle for all of us - holy moly man ❤️ respect to him.

[@repocussions]

I have been watching optic for a while over 20 years . I remember seeing scump play when he was just a teenager . Hecz has always been like this . Humble and cool .this was same time faze was blowing up with their trick shots . But optic was just beastly in multi player seen .im still a fan . Me and Hecz age is the same .the og of og supporters of optic.

[@Haytam]

Very good podcast on most of the history over the years. Personally seen most of the road. Been following since 2010/2011, OpTic Starr his montages back in the day is how I found the channel

[@LidZer123]

I could listen to Hecz speak all day. What a guy! Such a pivotal figure in gaming and esports. He will go down in the books for sure

[@Koa]

It’s great to see Hecz talk. Nearly 15+ years of history dropped made me feel like a teen again lol. It’s just a shame that Snipers are what built CoD up to be what is, but each yet snipers are always on the back burner :/

[@Mikefeher1313]

Hecz we genuinely need a pod with just you and Nade, telling the story from the beginning from both sides

[@gucci_marcus]

I mean this is what i love from the CoD community forever an optic fan myself but Apex this was phenomenal.

[@simplrr]

I could watch this for hours on end. Love the convos. Keep on improving! ❤

[@Swaheli]

I knew this was gonna be a banger as soon as I seen it. Been following OpTic and Faze since 2011 when I was only ten years old. You both will forever have a place in my heart. Much love 💚❤

[@jawamo727]

Thank you both for an absolutely amazing interview. A fantastic watch and very informative.

[@stevedrake1640]

Simply put if Faze had a Hecz to help them grow etc back in the day = a lot less internal friction/issue/drama… but the faze lads done well and Apex is right you truly do forget how young they all were at the time! Glad you all done well though!! Smell another collaboration coming with OG and faze….

[@Empekkable]

It’s crazy how far gaming has become. I always say this, but my uncle got me into gaming. And I don’t say it, but I thank him. It’s a way to get out of reality and somewhat relax (Until SBMM kicks in). I don’t care how old I get, I’ll always game even if it’s for 1 hour or 2. Right now I like Optic & 100T. Great podcast I like this lane you are taking Apex. Everyone has a story and it’s good to hear from the person who experienced it.

[@ZxRiGxZ]

Grateful we have still have HECZ deep into the COD community still in 2025!! Love him

[@tonysoprano8750]

Bro you been on fire with these guests. Hecz is a g

[@FunkyBazaar]

Notice how original members like hutch that really isn't as big as he used to be, is still friends with Hector and found a way to still be useful and always has a home at optic and a friend in Hector. Take notes faze clan

[@TheBarrettCompound]

Been a fan of OpTic since the beginning sniper days. I started on Cod 4, with a dsl phone line connection back in the day 😂 🤙🏼💯 H3cz and Apex are 🐐goats🐐

[@justamerewizard]

Youve been killing this man, i think youre perfect for this stuff man keep up to good work, glad to still be watching you after all these years.

[@willmaouris]

Loved this interview. Listened to it all. Super inspiring to hear his full story!

[@Angelo88ill]

This was a really good episode 🔥 Hecz was dropping knowledge 💎 it was a good conversation between friends just all together.

[@Codzilla76]

You can tell Apex does his homework on each guest. Great interview style, guiding the convo and never taking over.

[@teokua3704]

This has to be one of the biggest comebacks and best podcasts to come out it doesnt seem like a podcast seems more like a conversation you are sitting in on at a bar or a dinner table or something like that

[@GearsJosh56]

Wow apex is such a great interviewer I’ll be watching every episode going forward this was amazing

[@jovannyvargas1307]

Apex the goat. Thank you for letting my boy speak and tell his story. the fans for sure appreciate it

[@Taalkcyn]

H3CZ has been inspiring me since I was a kid. I was watching when optic started and they’re the ones that got me into sniping

[@imDezrt]

23:29 Love seeing TNM get a shoutout. Perry, Ebonix, JQ, Misiu...my GOATs. They laid down so much scaffolding for what the CoD scene on KZbin came to be. Real ones know

[@sirdocblob]

I remember the operator perry quad competition, think the dude who won yelled QUAADDDD in front of his entire school haha

[@garykennedy5322]

I’ve enjoyed Hector allowing others to tell their story over the years. Thank you for letting Hector tell his. As my daughter would say, So Cool 🤘🏻

[@cesar4483]

LOVED this vid apenator. Cant wait for the nadeshot vid 👀

[@unknownact6870]

Honestly I knew who he was back then but never got into optic cause I was a FaZe only fanboy, but then I found out he was from El Paso TX were I lived most of my life and I was shocked af I think my lil bro showed me a vlog of him in EP and I started to like this guy.

[@unknownact6870]

Crazy bro grew up in Juarez when it was one of the most dangerous cities

[@facehunter504]

I have so much respect for H3CZ from how he runs/started Optic to how he handles his team.. he treats them like friends not employees and that’s how it should be. 💯

[@its_kobe2472]

Absolute banger right here. To see how it all played out and to hear it from the GOAT himself. Especially him helping other ORGs not just in gaming

[@chromebullet101]

Hecs is the goat. Been loving what you've been doing with the channel Apex, the quality and consistency continues to be immaculate