Mortal Kombat 9, released in 2011 by NetherRealm Studios, rebooted the fighting series with cinematic story mode and brutal X-Ray attacks. Sub-Zero, the blue-clad Lin Kuei ninja with ice powers, has been a core character since the original 1992 arcade game. His knockout vocalizations were recorded as part of the game's extensive fight audio, designed to sell each defeat. Clips like this scream later spread through soundboards and meme edits, where gamers isolated the short yell to use outside matches as a universal sound for losing.