LEI FENG is no longer only a hero in real life. He is also the hero in an online computer game, where levels are cleared by doing as many good deeds as possible, the Nanfang Daily said early this week.

The game, titled "Learn from Lei Feng," has become very popular among Guangzhou students recently.

Hard work, a plain life and a willingness to help others are the game's themes, which makes it very different from most other online games.

"For beginners, sewing and mending socks is the only way to increase experience and to upgrade," Jiao Jian, a 12-year-old sixth-grade pupil in Yuexiu District, was quoted by the newspaper as saying.

"Every time you are promoted to a higher level, your clothes will become more average," he said. "You have to do good deeds in order to upgrade, such as contributing and volunteering on building sites. The more you do, the better and higher you get, thus boosting your reputation."

The game also has a treasure hunt where the treasure is a copy of "Chairman Mao's Collection," unlike the usual swords or jewels.

"It's a novel idea, very interesting," Jiao said. "Sometimes the enemy was very strong. The fight almost exhausted me, so I would replenish my vitality at once."

"As long as my experience, reputation, skill and loyalty satisfy the game's criteria, I will win and meet Chairman Mao," Jiao noted. "I still have several tasks to go through. I will 'work hard' and strive to obtain Chairman Mao's autograph as soon as I can."

He added that many of his classmates also loved playing the game, because it is different from the online games they normally play.

Lei Feng is one of China's icons. At 20, he joined the People's Liberation Army and spent all his spare time and money helping the needy. After he died more than four decades ago at the age of 22, he became a national hero for his selflessness and noble-mindedness.

Editor: Yan