Luck is encrypted in the symbols of the emblem. On this happy stream, the team flies to victories. Cloud 9 logo lifts the veil of luck: it is associated with the speed of reaction and developed mental abilities of the players.
Cloud 9: Brand overview
Cloud 9 is a private eSports organization in Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, California. It is engaged in eSports professionally and was formed in the spring of 2013 after Orbit Gaming League of Legends, which had previously signed a contract with Quantic, was disbanded at the end of 2012. Five members of the old team formed the new structure. The initiators were Jack Etienne. He previously represented Team SoloMid.
In November 2012, after Lone Star Clash ended, the Orbit Gaming team signed a deal with Quantic Gaming, the group that sponsored StarCraft II players. It was not only an eSports organization but also a media company. This structure was created in 2010 by Simon Boudreault from Quebec. His father left him a large inheritance, which he invested in eSports. For several years, Boudreault financially supported the group and paid the participants’ salaries and coaches.
But then the owner ended the sponsorship and disbanded the players in the League of Legends discipline. The former team members merged and founded their eSports organization, Team NomNom, later renamed Cloud 9. After some time, the new squad again signed a contract with Simon Boudreault, who withdrew funding again. Then, Jack Etienne bought the company, paying $15,000 for it, and stepped in as manager.
Jack Etienne and his wife, Pauline Etienne, founded the company. With experience in the esports industry, including working with teams like Team SoloMid, Jack saw an opportunity to start his team.
The journey began when they acquired a League of Legends roster, previously known as Quantic Gaming. The team, consisting of Zachary “Sneaky” Scuderi, Daerek “LemonNation” Hart, Hai “Hai” Du Lam, William “Meteos” Hartman, and An “Balls” Van Le, quickly rose to the top of the North American rankings.
Cloud9 made a strong debut in their first season in the North American League of Legends Championship Series (NA LCS) in the fall of 2013. They finished the regular season with a 25-3 record and won the championship. This early success established the organization as one of the leading esports teams in the region.
The team continued its success in League of Legends in 2014. They won the spring split and finished second in the summer split, maintaining dominance in the NA LCS. On the international stage, the team also performed well, reaching the quarterfinals of the World Championship.
In 2015, the organization began to expand, forming teams in various esports titles. They signed a Counter-Strike: Global Offensive team, which quickly became one of the top teams in North America. The organization also established teams for Super Smash Bros. Melee and Hearthstone.
2016 marked another year of steady growth for the team. The organization joined the Overwatch League, fielding a team later known as London Spitfire. They also formed a Vainglory roster, increasing the company’s presence in mobile esports.
In 2017, the organization continued its expansion by entering Rainbow Six Siege and PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG). While the League of Legends team did not reach the NA LCS finals for the first time in years, they made history by advancing to the semifinals of the World Championship, achieving the organization’s best finish.
The company had a landmark year in 2018. The organization raised $50 million from various investors, including celebrities and venture capital firms. This funding allowed the team to enhance its infrastructure and improve player experiences. The League of Legends team ended that year’s long championship drought by winning the NA LCS Summer Split.
In 2019, the organization continued to strengthen its presence across various fields. The Counter-Strike: Global Offensive team, particularly, enjoyed success, winning multiple championships, including the BLAST Pro Series Los Angeles.
2020 brought both new opportunities and challenges. The organization invested substantially in its League of Legends team, signing several top-tier players. This investment paid off when the team won the LCS Spring Split, setting a new league record for win-loss ratio.
The company continued its expansion in 2021, focusing on improving performance across all areas. The organization also expanded into the streaming and video production industries, further establishing its position in the content market.
In 2022, the organization continued to grow and adapt to the evolving esports landscape. The company invested in developing young talent by establishing academies and training programs for future esports stars.
By 2023, the company had become one of the world’s most recognized and successful esports organizations. What started as a small League of Legends team in 2013 had grown into a multidisciplinary organization with a presence in most major esports titles.
The company has faced various challenges throughout its history, including changes to league formats, financial difficulties, and the need to adapt to the rapidly evolving esports industry. Despite these obstacles, the organization has not only survived but thrived, establishing itself as a leader in the industry, thanks to strong management and the vision of Jack and Pauline Etienne.
Meaning and History
Jack Etienne chose a logo for the cyber community for a long time, but he got it accidentally. First, the owner ordered the logo for Cloud 9 from a specialized design studio. The developer made a suitable version, which was fully paid for. But at the same time, another person (an acquaintance of Etienne) said that he had come up with a personalized sign for his team and would like it. And so it happened: the amateur version turned out to be better and more accurate than the professional one. Boudreault chose it for the main logo and has never changed it since.
What is Cloud 9?
Cloud 9 is a professional eSports organization that appeared in May 2013. It consists of former Orbit Gaming League of Legends players who signed a sponsorship contract with Quantic. The new roster includes five members of the old team. Jack Etienne formed it.
2013 – 2023
The Cloud9 logo has a simple yet memorable design. The central element consists of three interwoven “9” digits, forming a unique pattern in the center. Each digits is left slightly open without completing a full circle, adding a sense of dynamism and lightness to the overall image. This ties into the team’s name, “Cloud,” symbolizing the movement, airiness, and freedom as if everything is in constant flow and change.
The “9” digits are positioned to create a sense of movement in different directions: one moves to the left, another to the right, and the third is placed vertically. This can be interpreted as a symbol of the team’s desire to expand in various directions and continually evolve. The blue color used in the emblem represents stability and confidence, which is important for a brand that seeks to convey a sense of reliability to its fans. The light gradient within the digits adds depth and makes the visual symbol feel dynamic without excessive effects.
The “Cloud9” text below the main symbol is rendered in a sharp, angular font, contrasting with the smooth lines of the “9” s. The font emphasizes the team’s seriousness and professionalism despite the fluidity and energy of the symbol itself. If you remove the space between the letters “U” and “D,” they resemble the number “9,” adding an extra layer of symbolic depth to the logo.
The emblem strikes a perfect balance between simplicity and meaningful depth. It conveys the ideas of movement, growth, and confidence, which aligns with the team’s spirit and reflects the atmosphere of esports.
2023 – today
The updated Cloud9 logo has become more minimalist but has retained its recognizability. The main symbol is three interlocking “9” s that form a unique pattern. This element is associated with dynamism and movement, as if the team is always in flow and constantly evolving. The symbol looks simple, but its shape conveys the idea of continuity and unity, accurately reflecting the team’s spirit.
The changes to the logo are minimal. Primarily, the solid light blue color is used as a symbol of calm, trust, and stability. This color emphasizes reliability and confidence, which are important for the team in esports. The blue color, as before, is associated with the sky and clouds, directly aligning with the brand’s name.
The font has remained the same—simple, without unnecessary details. However, the text has become slightly smaller than the symbol, emphasizing the importance of the visual element in the logo. The text “CLOUD9” looks neat and well-balanced, and its rounded forms remain friendly and easy to read.
The new style reflects the team’s desire to emphasize stability and confidence in its future. The emblem has become slightly simpler, highlighting the brand’s growth—the team is confident in its name and symbol.
Font and Colors
The typeface used for the word part of the Cloud 9 logo is called Devil Breeze Bold. It represents the category of smooth geometric grotesques. The letters are flat and wide, consisting of a harmonious combination of straight lines and smooth roundings, reminiscent of the Avant-Garde font.
The corporate palette includes two primary colors and one background color. It is blue in several shades (the number and numeric ornament are painted with it) and black (the inscription is made with it). All elements are on a white background.