A hundred players of the popular internet game Cabal Online on
Sunday crowded the blood donation spot on Shanghai's Nanjing Lu,
hoping to get their game accounts back.
The game's local operator Moliyo Company announced earlier they
would unlock the frozen accounts if players participated in the
blood drive.
The company cut off 120,000 accounts two weeks ago after
discovering that holders of these accounts had used software to
cheat in the game.
Sunday's activity attracted five times as many blood donors as
usual weekend days. Many of the attendees, however, were reluctant
to stretch their arms out.
"I didn't donate blood before, and wouldn't have done it today
if not for my Cabal account," said one player, surnamed Xu.
While many gamers were appalled, one of Moliyo's managers, Zhang
Jun argued that his company's motive was to raise awareness of
blood donation, and that they would unlock the accounts of all
those who made it to the event, not just those donated blood.
Local lawyer Zou Zhixiang has warned that it is not appropriate
for the company to attach requirements to voluntary blood
donation.
(CRI March 20, 2007)