From Overwatch to Marvel Rivals: The Rise of “C9” and Its Enduring Legacy

A Blast from the Past: AF Blue vs. Cloud9 in Overwatch Apex Season 2

Do you remember the thrill of Overwatch’s Apex Season 2 in 2017? For many fans, it was a time of excitement and competition. But for Cloud9, it was a match that would go down in history for all the wrong reasons. In a first-to-three- wins showdown against AF Blue, Cloud9 struggled to capture objectives, making repeated mistakes on Lijang Tower and Volskaya. The phrase “C9” was born, symbolizing the team’s forgetfulness and mishaps.

The Rise of “C9” in Marvel Rivals

Fast-forward to Marvel Rivals, where the term “C9” has taken on a new life. According to streamer Lucas “Mendo” Håkansson, the creator of the phrase, it’s becoming a regular term in the game. Mendo, a former Cloud9 member and top 100 Marvel Rivals player, laments the enduring legacy of “C9” in an interview: “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 Personal Reckoning

As a successful Twitch streamer, top 100 Marvel Rivals player, and Overwatch 2 pro, Mendo can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia and frustration. “One player in my replies cements this by letting me in on their team strats: ‘You’re my callout in our gaming group—instead of ‘Don’t C9’ we say ‘mendo mendo’ cause it’s a lot faster and more accurate LMAO.’ To this, all I have to say is, ‘Wow.'” It’s a candid admission that even the most accomplished players can’t escape the specter of “C9.”

The Power of Meme Culture

In a game where strategy and skill are paramount, “C9” has become a symbol of the unpredictable nature of competition. As one player joked, “Instead of ‘Don’t C9’ we say ‘mendo mendo’ cause it’s a lot faster and more accurate LMAO.” The term has transcended Overwatch, becoming a meme that resonates across gaming communities. In an era where online interactions are increasingly important, “C9” has solidified its place in the videogame dictionary alongside other phrases like “zerg rush.”

The Unstoppable Force of Meme Culture

It’s true that “C9” is being used more frequently in Marvel Rivals, but it’s also becoming a ubiquitous term in the gaming world. The masses have spoken, and it’s clear that “C9” is here to stay. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a new player, it’s a term that’s likely to be bandied about in your gaming group. As Mendo himself put it, “You can’t stop the will of the masses.”