Mysterious stickers in Vienna's U1: PR stunt or secret invitation?

Mysterious stickers in Vienna's U1: PR stunt or secret invitation?

There are currently eye-catching brown stickers on the Vienna subway line U1 that raise questions and cause a lot of guesswork. These stickers, which are reminiscent of the most famous business cards from the Netflix series “Squid Game”, adorn symbols such as circles, triangles and squares and bear the provocative question “Do you want to play a game?” on a QR code. Excitement about these strange cards grew rapidly after a video of them went viral on TikTok, generating over half a million views, like today.at reported.

Mysterious QR code reveals PR stunt

However, the truth behind these mysterious cards is less dramatic than expected. Instead of a serious invitation to a dangerous game, it was a clever marketing stunt by the Viennese hip-hop club VIE i PEE. Anyone who scans the QR code will be redirected to a YouTube video that explains the rules of a fun little game: you have to bring the card to the club, present it at the entrance and potentially win free entry by rolling dice. This creative action combines Viennese humor with a touch of “Squid Game” atmosphere, which underlines the topicality of the topic, especially after the second season of the series broke major records at the end of December 2024, like oe24.at reported.

In addition to this essential fun, the VIE i PEE Club has introduced some new guidelines. In order to create a harmonious environment, a strict dress code will apply in the future that excludes sweatpants and untidy clothing. In addition, groups of men only are no longer allowed in to ensure the safety and balance of the guests. With a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination and violence, the focus is on an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere. Visitors must also be prepared for photos to be taken by staff, while they are not allowed to take their own photos in order to focus on the moment.