‘OpTic Gaming: Making of eSports Champions’ Movie in the Works (EXCLUSIVE)

Producers John Sacchi and Matt Groesch have acquired movie and TV rights to the book “OpTic Gaming: The Making of eSports Champions,” Variety has learned exclusively.

The New York Times bestseller was published in March, co-authored by Ryan Dempsey and seven past and present OpTic members: Ryan Musselman, Nadeshot, Will Johnson, Scump, Hector Rodriguez, Ryan Wyatt and Ashley Glassel. OpTic is a professional American eSports team.

Sacchi and Groesch will produce under Sacchi’s 5 More Minutes banner, along with Bill Kenney (who most recently served as director of business development at Relativity Sports).

The book explores the requirements to succeed in professional video gaming; the consequences of newfound fame; the inception, rise and global popularity of eSports; and inside the minds of the elite players. OpTic has won the Call of Duty Major League Gaming championship four times since emerging in 2006 and includes players such as Matt “NaDeSHoT” Haag; Seth “Scump” Abner; Midnite, one of the first female gamers to rise to stardom on YouTube; and Hector “H3CZ” Rodriguez, the team founder and CEO.

Sacchi is a former Lionsgate executive and currently producing “Sigma Force,” written by Joe Robert Cole (“Black Panther”) with 21 Laps. He is also producing “Dork Diaries,” written by Hannah Friedman (“Trolls”).

OpTic is managed by RevXP. The deal was brokered by APA.

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