New Video Game Takes "Real" Blood When Player is Shot

Gaming is about to get real- like, seriously real. You'd be forgiven for thinking this latest bit of tech comes straight out of The Hunger Games. Blood Sport does exactly what it says on the Xbox. In a quest to get people donating more blood, hooked-up gamers would lose actual blood when shot. The fluid would then be donated to banks.

How You Can Find A Clinic Near You To Donate Blood

This genius/whacked gadget is expected to launch in March 2015 alongside the hyped "Battlefield Hardline" shooting game. It's hoped that Blood Sport will be a hit at multiplayer events, "where players would compete to see who can lose the least blood." So, no beer-drinking buddy is hooking you up to an IV machine in his basement; rather this game is monitored in proper settings with properly trained medical staff - or, at least that is the intention.

How it works: The controller vibrates when a player is shot, alerting a circuit board to draw a specified amount of blood. Squeamishness aside, the beauty of Blood Sport is that it can interface with any game system that comes with vibrating controllers.

Its creators are soliciting funds to the tune of $250,000 to enable a full tour of Canada, and aiming to get the support of celebrities like Snoop Dogg and Seth Rogen to see "if they can handle Blood Sport." Needless to say, users have to sign a release waiver before playing.

Notwithstanding the fact that a previous pet project of advertisers Brand & Grotesque involved viewers paying to subject reality show guests to "electric shocks, water bombs and paint guns," Blood Sport has its heart in the right place.

Seth Rogen in Neighbours: Is It Worth Watching?

Giving blood is vitally important, as Erica Ehm knows only too well from a terrifying personal experience. And blood banks are constantly in need. So if it takes some wacky gimmick to get people who may not otherwise donate blood to donate, then I say bring it. The end, in this case at least, justifies the means.

You tell me: Is Blood Sport a baked concept or a viable way to get people to give blood?

Find a blood clinic near you.