Cloud9 Exits Counter-Strike (Again)

After 3 years of mediocrity in the Counter-Strike scene, Cloud9 have announced their exit from the space once again. The organization has officially confirmed that they will be exiting for the time being.

The news comes on the heels of their final members, Aleksandr "sweety10" Shcherbakov (Team Manager) and Konstantin "groove" Pikiner (Coach), being released from the organization.

Cloud9 is Out

The North American organization has held a prestigious and long-standing reputation for years in Counter-Strike, going back to some of the most popular and fan-beloved rosters in North American history.

However, their recent years of performance not only shunned much of that by picking up a non-North American roster, but also failing to find much success has led to their stagnation in terms of reputation and little financial incentive to continue what could only be imagined to be a bleeding money pit.

Prior to their last return, Cloud9 had fielded a roster from as early as 2014 – and that legacy stretched all the way to 2021, when they announced their exit. The organization returned a year later, having signed the former Gambit Esports roster.

IEM Dallas remains Cloud9's one and only S-Tier tournament win since returning to Counter-Strike in 2022. Credit: ESL

Picked for Parts

Cloud9 did not have a great start to the year. ICY departed for Virtus.Pro before 2024 even ended. Both Ax1Le and Boombl4 were whisked away on the 10th of January by BetBoom Team. HeavyGod departed for G2 the day after. Interz left 2 days after that. It appears that Cloud9 has finally been exhausted. Their Counter-Strike department had long been fielding a string of unimpressive to mediocre talents in what appears to be an attempt to patchfix and strike luck on a solution.

Their last great bid in their second coming was the acquisition of former Natus Vincere talents Denis “electroNic” Sharipov and Ilya “Perfecto” Zalutskiy. Unfortunately, whatever magic the two had on NaVi, did not carry over to Cloud9.

The revolving door of talent continued, with sh1ro going out for Boombl4, buster, HeavyGod, ICY, and interz. The list is exhaustive and a far cry from the golden era of the organization.

Will Cloud9 return to Counter-Strike?

"But look at the time..."

According to the organization, they have “no immediate plans to re-enter.” However, they affirmed their love for CS and would “always be on the lookout for opportunities.” To some, it sounds like a farewell for now. For this writer, it could very well be true.

The Cloud9 many fondly remember is long gone, not just in Counter-Strike but in their other titles as well.

Boston was 8 years ago.

The days of contending for CS silverware appears to have faded like a ship into the night and we still stare forlornly into the darkness hoping for a glimpse.

Cloud9's departure is also a stark reminder on the grim state of North American Counter-Strike as a whole. More and more talents are finding more appealing opportunities in Europe on international rosters and Tier 2 CS appears to have stopped churning out the once seemingly infinite source of aim stars the region was once infamous for at one time.

Credit: Eric Anamalay // ESL

Cloud9 was once upon a time considered one of the bulwarks of North American CS and even they haven't been fielding an NA roster since 2021. Perhaps they will return. But it is unlikely.

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Featured Image Credit: Eleague Boston

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