Exploring Overwatch 2: Understanding the C9 Term

Special slang and terms have long been a vibrant part of gaming culture. From the iconic "Leeroy Jenkins!" battle cry to Keanu Reeves' memorable "Wake up, Samurai" at E3 2019, these phrases resonate deeply with gamers. Memes often spread like wildfire, yet the origins and meanings of some, like "C9," can remain elusive to many. In this article, we delve into the story behind "C9," exploring its roots and significance.

Table of Contents

• How Did the Term C9 Originate?
• What Does C9 Mean in Overwatch?
• Disagreements on the Definition of C9
• What is the Reason for the Popularity of C9?

How Did the Term C9 Originate?

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Although "C9" is commonly heard in various session shooters, particularly Overwatch 2, its origins date back to the original Overwatch in 2017. During the Apex Season 2 tournament, Cloud9 faced off against Afreeca Freecs Blue. Despite being the stronger team and dominating the match, Cloud9 players suddenly lost focus and began "chasing kills," neglecting the crucial objective of holding the point on Lijiang Tower.

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The commentators, spectators, and even Afreeca Freecs Blue were taken aback by this unexpected turn of events, which ultimately led to Cloud9's defeat in a surprising manner. Shockingly, Cloud9 repeated this error on the subsequent maps, cementing the moment in gaming history. This blunder was dubbed "C9," an abbreviation of the team's name, and it continues to be referenced in live streams and professional matches.

What Does C9 Mean in Overwatch?

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In Overwatch, when you see "C9" in the chat, it typically signifies that a team has made a fundamental strategic error. It harks back to the 2017 tournament mishap, where players became overly focused on combat and forgot the map's objectives. By the time they remembered, it was often too late, prompting chat spam with "C9."

Disagreements on the Definition of C9

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The gaming community remains divided on what constitutes a genuine "C9." Some argue it applies to any instance where a team abandons the control point, such as when an enemy Sigma uses "Gravitic Flux" and the team loses their position.

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Others maintain that "C9" should only refer to situations where players forget the match's objective due to human error, aligning closely with the original incident involving Cloud9.

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There's also a group that uses "C9" in chat for fun or to taunt opponents. Variations like "K9" or "Z9" are sometimes used, with "Z9" considered a "metameme" by the community, often associated with xQc's satirical take on misuse of "C9."

Also read: Mercy: a detailed analysis of the character from Overwatch 2

What is the Reason for the Popularity of C9?

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To understand why "C9" became so popular, we need to revisit the events of Overwatch Apex Season 2. Cloud9 was a powerhouse organization with top-tier teams across various games, including Overwatch. They were considered one of the best Western teams in the scene.

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Facing Afreeca Freecs Blue, who were less renowned, expectations were high for Cloud9. However, their unexpected defeat due to tactical errors led to their infamous exit from the tournament. This shocking outcome in the "top league" made "C9" a household term among fans, though its precise meaning is often debated.

We hope this article has shed light on the meaning of "C9" in Overwatch. Feel free to share it with your fellow gamers to spread the knowledge about this intriguing aspect of gaming culture!