What is the meaning behind ATS banner ad - 'You thought it was an online game.. Lou Troglodyte'

originally posted by: FlyInTheOintment
Hi ATS staff,

I'm just wondering - is that banner ad above the 'Recent Posts' page a symbol which indicates the beginning of an online game which ATS members will need to figure out? I tried searching for anything on Google or Wikipedia, and nothing of particularly obvious meaning popped up, other than the definition of a troglodyte being a 'cave dweller' - so I assume it is ATS-specific? Perhaps ATS is the cave?

I followed the link to the gulfnews article. It still goes to the gulfnews article for me (linked below), though I read some comments here the link had changed or something? I haven't seen that.

I thought it was a public service announcement so parents on this site could caution their children about not getting involved in playing certain games. The one I found disturbing was the Blue Whale game. Once the teenager starts playing it, they have tasks to complete every day. Apparently they get invested in the game and strive to do each task assigned to them. On day 50 the task is to commit suicide, and the article claims hundreds of teens completed that task too.

So who would have guessed than when you started playing the blue whale game, you only have 49 days left to live?

11 dangerous games on the internet that could kill or seriously injure

The Blue Whale suicide game is an online social media group where administrators ask children and teens to take on a series of challenges that end with them eventually killing themselves. It is reportedly responsible for hundreds of teen suicides worldwide, particularly in Russia. The suicide game demands players to do bizarre tasks to complete over 50 days. Curators of the game are assigned to exact peer pressure on players, mostly young children and teens.

That linked to another article: How is the Blue Whale game played?

Teenagers actively searching the game are also targeted by curators. Once contact is made, the player and the curator switch to a private chat mode.

You cannot filter the Blue Whale game using an anti-virus. All you can do is tell your friends and children to avoid it. The game is based on the relationship between the challengers, also called players or participants, and the administrators. It involves a series of duties given by the administrators that players must complete, usually one per day, some of which involve self-mutilation. Some tasks can be given in advance, while others can be passed on by the administrators on that day, the last task being suicide.

a reply to: Outrageo

BTW - anyone else on ATS playing?

I found the source of the picture the other day.



Not sure if ATS Administrators are using the picture or are in cahoots with the Author.

a reply to: Outrageo

I was just considering playing this, earlier today. It looks like a cyberspace scavenger hunt with outernet side quests.

But is progress tracked by the UAE? The EAU? Did I just lose the game?

a reply to: TheGreazel

Thank you, TinEye reverse image search. Now to find the artist and the model. I mean, to read the part about ATS in the book so we can determine what size shovel we'll need for the next part.

a reply to: BeNotAfraid

Author got a bunch more books about hacking,

Flipkart

a reply to: TheGreazel

L33+.
(cracks knuckles)

Connection to ATS Thread? Check it:

Troglodydian Links and Aliens....Oh my...

The photo and Thread are taken from the cover of a book by the same name by Olivia Wilson - found using Google image search

maybe just an enigmatic pic to fill the space whilst they recruit more $ponsors.

I don't think it's coded as an ad, if it was I wouldn't see it

With over ten years in this place, Simon Gray had a hard time occasionally. How this place is still operational... I am still here knowing there are limits. Doing better than twitter.

As for Lou? We have all been trolled. Who else knows those paths to the underworld. An instinct for survival.

When clicking that link and going to games that will kill you, Phil Schneider.

One class I got at uni, stay away from conspiracy if you want a job in the industry. How did that work out for Tucker Carlson?

The Clinton body count is one to watch for anyone wanting to know.

The vibe I get from Lou and the new ownership, we are in an information war. Do your home work, handle with care, if you get some blow back that will hurt this site you will be deleted. If we can somehow capture a flag, don't expect any recognition.