In first of its case in China, an online gamer stabbed his opponent after he came to know that the latter has sold his cyber-sword, creating an awkward situation for the Chinese government where no such law exists that protects the ownership of virtual weapons.
The Shanghai gamer Qiu Chengwei repeatedly stabbed opponent Zhu Caoyuan in the left chest at his home after he learnt that Zhu had sold his "dragon saber" for 7,200 yuan (US$870), which Qui and his friend had won last February on "Legend of Mir 3" – the most popular online game.
The online game “Legend of Mir 3” consists of warriors and sorcerers who wield different kinds of swords.
The court said Qui went to the police to register a case of theft against Zhu after learning that the “dragon saber” lent to him (Zhu) was sold. But the police told Qui they were helpless as the weapon was not protected by law since it was not a real property.
"Zhu promised to hand over the cash but an angry Qui lost patience and attacked Zhu at his home, stabbing him in the left chest with great force and killing him," the court said on Tuesday.
Qiu meanwhile has surrendered himself to the police and have pleaded guilty to "intentional injury," but the verdict is yet to be announced, the court said.
Of late a number of Chinese online game players have been knocking courts door over stolen weapons and credits.
Wang Zongyu, an associate law professor at Beijing's Renmin University of China said: "The armour and swords in games should be deemed as private property as players have to spend money and time for them."
But other experts say: "The 'assets' of one player could mean nothing to others as they are by nature just data created by game providers."
