By T Arakaki - Fri, 03/16/2007 - 23:17.

An online game operator has demanded that banned players donate blood to be allowed back into the game. Moliyo, which runs a 3D massively multiplayer online game in China, made the demand after banning 120,000 players who attempted to hack the game, according to gaming news website, 17173.com.

More than 100 players had already signed up to exchange half a litre (1 pint) of blood for game accounts, 17173 reported (in Chinese). The company has also offered free accounts to ordinary players who give blood, the website claimed.

Texyt.com staff were unable to locate the announcement on Moliyo's website, although the company's forum does include a copy (in Chinese) of 17173's story.

According to the announcement, the players must attend a public blood donation drive in the city of Nanjing tomorrow afternoon. Locked accounts will be reopened within 3 days.

Chinese hospitals have had increasing difficulty attracting blood donors in recent years after scandals in which tens of thousands of donors and blood recipients contracted HIV, the virus which causes AIDS. Blood donors in China are usually paid about 12 dollars per donation.

Moliyo arranged the event in an attempt to “create a civilized society, and enhance online gamers' appreciation of social responsibility and public welfare,” according to 17173.com.

The games company banned 120,000 players of the popular game Cabal earlier this month, because they used unauthorized software to artificially boost their standing in the game. Moliyo operates several games in China, including Cabal, and Tales of Pirates.