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)