Players of eGensis' non-violent, construction-orientated MMORPG "A Tale In the Desert" woke to an unexpected surprise this morning. Observant players noticed a number of unusual artefacts available at Egypt's schools, with unfamiliar names like "Cataclysmic Mace of Malevolence +8", and "Apocalyptic Axe of the Thunderlords +9". Later in the day, it was discovered that the game's population of giant scarab beetles - usually docile, cabbage-eating beasts - had transformed into vicious blood-thirsty monsters.
In possibly the most elaborate MMORPG practical joke ever, the developers of A Tale in the Desert have added a full combat system to the game, incorporating hitpoints, XP, levels, and monsters who carry an assortment of "Phat l3wt" from other games. Drops of Platinum pieces, Simoleans, Credits, Rupees, and "There Bucks" have all been reported by players so far.
Normality is expected to return by April the 2nd.