Special slang and terms have always been a vibrant part of the gaming community, capturing moments of triumph, blunder, and humor. Phrases like "Leeroy Jenkins!" evoke waves of nostalgia, while "Wake up, Samurai" from Keanu Reeves at E3 2019 still resonates with gamers. Among these, the term "C9" has become a staple in the lexicon of players, particularly in Overwatch, yet its origins and meaning remain elusive to many. In this article, we delve into the history and significance of "C9."

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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The term "C9" originated during the Overwatch Apex Season 2 tournament in 2017. During a match on the Lijiang Tower map, the favored team, Cloud9, surprisingly lost their focus. Instead of maintaining control of the objective, they became engrossed in chasing kills, leading to their unexpected defeat against Afreeca Freecs Blue. This blunder was so notable that it occurred not once, but twice in subsequent maps. The term "C9" was born from this incident, derived from the team's name, Cloud9, and has since been used to describe similar tactical errors in competitive play.

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What Does C9 Mean in Overwatch?

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In Overwatch, "C9" has come to signify a fundamental strategic mistake where a team forgets the map's objective, often getting distracted by combat. This term is frequently used in chat to mock a team that has lost sight of their primary goal, such as holding a control point, and instead focuses on engaging the enemy, only to realize too late that they've lost the match.

Disagreements on the Definition of C9

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The gaming community continues to debate the precise definition of "C9." Some argue it applies to any instance where a team fails to hold a control point, even if external factors like an enemy's ultimate ability (e.g., Sigma's "Gravitic Flux") cause the loss. Others maintain that "C9" should be reserved for cases where players simply forget the objective due to the human factor, as was the case in the original incident with Cloud9.

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There's also a group that uses "C9" more casually, either for amusement or to taunt opponents. Variations like "K9" or "Z9" appear in chat, with "Z9" sometimes considered a "metameme" popularized by streamer xQc, mocking those who misuse "C9."

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What is the Reason for the Popularity of C9?

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The popularity of "C9" stems from the unexpected nature of Cloud9's defeat in the Apex Season 2 tournament. At the time, Cloud9 was a powerhouse in the esports scene, boasting top teams across various games. Their loss to the less-celebrated Afreeca Freecs Blue, due to such a basic mistake, was shocking and memorable. This event, occurring in a high-stakes environment, cemented "C9" in gaming culture, though its original context is sometimes forgotten.

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Understanding "C9" enriches the gaming experience, offering insight into the community's shared history and humor. Share this knowledge with your fellow gamers to spread awareness of this fascinating aspect of gaming culture!