By Max Mallow
OpTic Gaming and Envy announced a merger on Nov. 8 following months of rumors linking the two esports giants together changing the landscape of Call of Duty esports.
As first reported by Dot Esports, Dallas Empire was in talks to acquire the OpTic brand back in August rendering the Chicago Call of Duty League spot up for sale. Three months later, after more rumors circulating around both the acquisition and potential Call of Duty League roster, both organizations confirmed the merger on social media.
Our journey doesn’t stop here.
OpTic is forever. pic.twitter.com/vY3x4TUxrM
— OpTic Gaming™ (@OpTic) November 8, 2021
This merger not only marks the third time the OpTic Gaming brand has changed locations in the CDL, but also the removal of the Dallas Empire brand from league itself. OpTic Gaming, under different ownership, was first located in Los Angeles for the inaugural season. After Hector “H3CZ” Rodriguez reacquired the brand from Immortals Gaming Club, the team relocated back to Chicago following the retirement of the Chicago Huntsmen brand under NRG.
Dallas Empire, founded under the Envy banner, was the league’s inaugural world champions defeating Atlanta FaZe during the Modern Warfare season. That brand has now been retired in lieu of OpTic Texas.
According to the press release, Envy and OpTic both acquired the Chicago team slot as well. The slot will be sold, and according to the release there is viable interest in the slot at this time. As reported by Dot Esports, the Washington Justice ownership group was interested in the slot but are now no longer pursuing it.
OpTic Texas’ roster for the 2022 CDL season is as follows:
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