Video: "Warthunder's Strange History of April Fools"

 

 From ZoltanSultan on March 20. On April 1 2013, Fans of the "War Thunder" MMO were surprised to see the developers had added flying ponies in the style of "My Little Pony"armed with machine guns and candy bombs. While this only lasted one day, it continues to be talked about years later. But this would only be the first of many stunts pulled by War Thunder ever year. Perhaps none were as funny as the ponies, but most were interesting and some amusing.
 

News and Commentary: "Fat Shaming" Publicity Stunt By Store Draws Protests, Traffic

Businesses have tried many ways to draw traffic, occasionally resorting to silly commercials or publicity stunts. But one clothing store in Second Life recently began putting a sign in it's store, and the owner some lines in her profile, that were quite insulting to women of large size. The results were people coming to the store to protest. But might have these protestors ended up doing what the store owner wanted?

Read more in Extra.

Raglan's Mystery Map Artist Strikes Again For "Wootmas"

The mystery map artist of Raglan Shire has struck again. But this time there's nothing rib-poking about this latest stunt. Earlier this month, there was one, then a second, map pranking. But this third incident described by Linn Darkwatch on Facebook a few days ago was a simple "Merry Wootmas" message over the Raglan Galaxy sim. In a message to me, Linn called the artist the "Merry Prankster."

This stunt came at the same time Raglan's Winterfest event, or "Wootmas" as the Raglanders are calling it, was starting. "Wootmas Cheers all! The 10th Annual WinterFest on Raglan Shire is here & it’s a Wonderland of Snowy Crunchy fun for the season! The decorating of the tree! Sekret Santa™! The 12 Days of Wootmas™! Skating at the pond! Skiing! Sledding! Ice Ball crashing! Keep an eye out for The All New Ski Lift! A new way to get up & down the Mountain but a word of warning… Beware the Yeti!!" Also among their "winter stuff" was an"All New Tree Topper Contest and the Winter Hut Contest" and a "snowball throw."

No doubt the tinies of Raglan are determined to have a merry little Christmas, or "Wootmas."

Bixyl Shuftan

Scenes From the Relay: The Brooklyn Bridge Prank

On Thursday July 24, an incident in real life was played out in Second Life. Two days earlier in New York City, a group of people sneaked up to the top of the Brooklyn Bridge, took down the American flags, and replaced them with white ones (actually American flags bleached white) before climbing back down. As white flags are international signs of surrender, some wondered if they might be some kind of political statement. As of the writing of this article, the perpetrators are still at large.

At the Relay Weekend track in Second Life, one of the builds was of the Brooklyn Bridge. While everyone was busy taking down builds or visiting those left one last time, someone flew up to the top of the bridge and planted white flags. The American ones could not be removed, though the white flags were clear to anyone looking up.

Unlike the real-life incident, the prankster here won't get into trouble. But the individual, or possibly the pair, has yet to be identified.

Upper image by DrFrab Babcock

Bixyl Shuftan