Cloud9 is a name synonymous with esports excellence, innovation, and heartbreak. Founded in 2013 by Jacques Etienne, the organization quickly carved its place as one of the most beloved esports organizations in the world. But while its legacy spans several games, the story of its Counter-Strike division is one of soaring highs and crushing lows.
From the formation of a fan-favorite team, to their unforgettable triumph at the ELEAGUE Boston Major, and finally to the heartbreaking disbandment of the division, C9’s Counter-Strike journey is one of the most fascinating tales in esports history.
The Beginning: A Fan-Favorite Emerges
Cloud9 entered CS:GO in the summer of 2014, building a roster that instantly resonated with fans. Players like Michael "shroud" Grzesiek, Jordan "n0thing" Gilbert, and Spencer "Hiko" Martin became household names, earning C9 a passionate fan base. Known for their friendly demeanor, entertaining streams, and occasional flashes of brilliance, this lineup helped propel C9 to prominence in the growing North American CS:GO scene.
For the next few years, Cloud9 battled neck and neck with Team Liquid, becoming the dominant force in NA Counter-Strike. Despite their regional dominance, they repeatedly fell short on the international stage, frequently making quarterfinals and semifinals but never claiming a big stage title. Except for a few smaller A-Tier events and one ESL Pro League victory, they were constantly falling short. Fans admired the team’s resilience and charisma, but frustration mounted as the organization failed to break through in crucial moments.
Recognizing the need for change, C9 made significant roster adjustments in 2016 and 2017, assembling what would become their most successful lineup to date. The squad of Jacky "Stewie2K" Yip, Timothy "autimatic" Ta, Tyler "Skadoodle" Latham, William "RUSH" Wierzba, and Tarik "tarik" Celik created a team with immense talent and potential.
The Miracle in Boston
In January 2018, at the ELEAGUE Boston Major, Cloud9 embarked on a miracle run that would forever change the history of NA Counter-Strike.
After a rocky start in the New Legends Stage, C9 found themselves on the brink of elimination with a 0-2 record. Facing immense pressure, they roared back to life, defeating Virtus Pro, Astralis, and Vega Squadron to secure a playoff spot. What followed was one of the most thrilling underdog stories in Major history.
In the playoffs, C9 faced a murderer's row of top-tier teams, including G2 Esports, SK Gaming, and FaZe Clan, all ranked among the top five teams in the world. Defying all odds, Cloud9 emerged victorious in front of a raucous Boston crowd, clinching the first and only Major title for an NA team. No CS fan will ever forget Daniel "ddk" Kapadia's "Oh, it's happened! They made it work! Cloud9 are your ELEAGUE Major Champions!"
The win was hailed as a groundbreaking achievement for the region, cementing C9’s place in Counter-Strike history.
A Rapid Downfall
The Boston Major marked the peak of Cloud9’s success, but the euphoria was short-lived. Over the next few years, the team struggled to maintain its momentum. Roster instability plagued the organization, with C9 cycling through countless players in a desperate attempt to recapture their former glory. Fan favorites like Stewie2K and tarik departed, leaving a void that proved impossible to fill.
By 2019 and 2020, C9 had become a shadow of its former self. The organization experimented with a mix of NA and international players under the guidance of coach Aleksandar "kassad" Trifunović, but none of these lineups delivered consistent results. The final nail in the coffin came in 2021 when Cloud9 failed to qualify for the PGL Stockholm Major, leading the organization to shutter its CS:GO division entirely.
The Gambit Roster: A New Hope
In 2022, Cloud9 re-entered the scene by signing the former Gambit Esports roster, which had been competing under the neutral "Players" banner following the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian war. This roster, featuring stars like Dmitriy "sh1ro" Sokolov and Sergey "Ax1Le" Rykhtorov, brought immediate credibility to C9's CS:GO ambitions.
The team found some success, winning IEM Dallas 2022 and securing top placements at other events. Both sh1ro and Ax1Le earned spots on HLTV’s top 20 player list, raising hopes for an even stronger 2023. However, the team missed out on the Paris Major, prompting Cloud9 to make dramatic roster changes.
Big Moves, Bigger Problems
In one of the most expensive transfers in esports history, Cloud9 acquired Denis "electroNic" Sharipov and Ilya "Perfecto" Zalutskiy from Natus Vincere. Expectations were sky-high, but the results were underwhelming. Internal struggles and lackluster performances defined the roster’s tenure, leading to further instability.
By 2024, C9’s roster was in shambles. sh1ro left for Team Spirit, where he would go on to win the PerfectWorld Shanghai Major. The remaining players failed to gel despite flashes of brilliance, such as making the playoffs of the PGL Copenhagen Major. A final attempt to rebuild around Kirill "Boombl4" Mikhaylov, in the summer of 2024, also fell apart.
The End of an Era?
As of early 2025, Cloud9 has, once again, effectively disbanded its CS division. Ax1Le and Boombl4 joined BetBoom, while Nikita "HeavyGod" Martynenko replaced Nikola "NiKo" Kovač in G2. Kaisar "ICY" Faiznurov was signed by Virtus Pro and Timofey "interz" Yakushin was released. Many fans have criticized the Russian roster project in general, claiming it lacked the NA identity that once defined Cloud9.
The question now lingers: Will Cloud9 ever return to Counter-Strike? We will need to wait and see. While the organization remains an iconic name in esports, its repeated failures in CS:GO and CS2 have left fans disheartened. With a lot of young talent from the U.S. making their marks, such as M80's Mason "Lake" Sanderson or Wildcard's Josh "JBa" Barutt, there may yet be hope for a resurgence in the form of a new NA roster. Until then, fans can only look back at the highs and lows of Cloud9’s turbulent Counter-Strike journey and wonder what could have been.