Exploring Overwatch 2: Understanding the C9 Term

Gaming communities thrive on unique slang and terms that often become deeply ingrained in their culture. Phrases like "Leeroy Jenkins!" evoke nostalgia for many, while "Wake up, Samurai" from Keanu Reeves at E3 2019 has become iconic. Memes and slang spread like wildfire, yet some terms, such as "C9," puzzle many players. Let's dive into the origins and meanings of this intriguing expression.

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" first emerged in the competitive scene of Overwatch during the Apex Season 2 tournament in 2017. It was during a match between Cloud9 and Afreeca Freecs Blue that this term was born. Cloud9, a dominant team, unexpectedly lost their focus on the objective of the Lijiang Tower map—capturing and holding the point. Instead, they became fixated on chasing kills, a costly mistake that led to their defeat. This blunder was so significant that it was repeated in subsequent maps, earning the name "C9" from the team's abbreviation. Today, "C9" is still referenced in live streams and professional matches, symbolizing a notorious tactical error.

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What Does C9 Mean in Overwatch?

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In Overwatch, "C9" refers to a team's failure to focus on the map's objective, often due to being overly engaged in combat with the enemy. This term harks back to the 2017 incident where Cloud9 lost because they neglected the objective. When players see "C9" in chat, it's a signal that a team has made a similar mistake, typically realizing too late that they've lost sight of the game's goal.

Disagreements on the Definition of C9

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The gaming community debates what constitutes a genuine "C9." Some argue that any instance of abandoning the control point, even due to enemy abilities like Sigma's "Gravitic Flux," qualifies as a C9. Others believe it must involve a human error where players simply forget the objective, as was the case in the original incident.

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There's also a group that uses "C9" more playfully or to taunt opponents, sometimes using variations like "K9" or "Z9." The latter, "Z9," is considered a "metameme" popularized by streamer xQc, often used to mock incorrect usage of "C9."

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What is the reason for the popularity of C9?

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The popularity of "C9" can be traced back to the shocking upset in the Apex Season 2 tournament. Cloud9, a powerhouse in the esports scene, was expected to easily defeat Afreeca Freecs Blue. However, their tactical errors led to an unexpected loss, which became a memorable moment in Overwatch history. The fact that such a blunder occurred in a high-stakes match made "C9" a widely recognized term, even if its original meaning sometimes gets lost in casual use.

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Understanding "C9" offers a glimpse into the dynamic and ever-evolving language of gaming communities. Share this knowledge with fellow gamers to keep the legacy of such terms alive and appreciated!

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