Remembering the Iconic Match
Let’s rewind to 2017, when Overwatch was still a fresh face on the esports scene. It was the infamous Apex Season 2 match between Af Blue and Cloud9 (C9) that would etch itself into the annals of gaming lore. Despite their dominance in team fights, C9 couldn’t seem to clinch those all-important objectives. But that’s not where the story ends; oh no! That’s when the term ‘C9’ was born.
The Blunder that Became a Meme
In a series that was supposed to showcase C9’s prowess, the team managed to pull off two major blunders, leaving fans both amused and horrified. Twice, they forgot to capture the objective on Lijiang Tower and then had another slip-up on Volskaya. This repeated failure prompted the creation of the term ‘C9,’ a euphemism for forgetting the objective—truly a legacy of laughter, frustration, and a bit of infamy.
From Overwatch to Marvel Rivals
Fast forward nearly eight years, and ‘C9’ has taken on a life of its own, spreading beyond Overwatch into realms like Marvel Rivals. Lucas ‘Mendo’ Håkansson, a former C9 member, humorously lamented this expansion: “Marvel rivals booming in popularity means a ton of new players are learning what a ‘C9’ [is] and that I created it. Let me move on pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.”
A little reluctance aside, there’s a quirky charm knowing that this blunder remains a part of gaming’s evergreen lexicon. For those who lived through that match, it’s a nostalgic reminder and a badge of honor—albeit one that invokes a hearty chuckle every time it’s mentioned.
