Japanese MMO comes to aid of earthquake victims

One game publisher is hoping that its users' micropayments can add up to a whole lot of help for victims of last month's Java earthquake. Today, Tokyo-based GaiaX, a publisher of massively multiplayer online games, announced that it would be putting a new item on sale in its prehistoric-themed StoneAge game to raise money for the victims of the disaster.

The Associated Press has reported the death toll from the magnitude 6.3 quake at more than 5,800 with many more injured and up to a million left homeless. In its press release, GaiaX stated "the full amount of revenue from sales of the charity item will go to Save the Children Japan to assist the Java earthquake victims."

The item, dubbed the "Kibou no Hane," or "Feather of Hope," will cost the equivalent of 100 yen (about $0.87), or 100 GStone in StoneAge currency. In addition to helping earthquake victims, the item will give players a +10 boost to their charisma and make the game's healing spell less draining to cast. The item will be available June 20 through July 31.