NCSoft recently banned 3700 players who were botting or manipulating their matches in Guild Wars, and frankly, just banning accounts wasn't enough for them.  They had to set an example, make sure that the embarrassment of being a hack asshole was felt.  It's like Joe Pesci stabbing a dood in the neck with a pencil, right? 
 
Well, meet Dhuum, the in-game equivalent of Death for Guild Wars.  Not only is he the latest special boss in the game, but he also happens to carry the Banscythe.  You ask how this works?  Well, here's a video to show you an example: 
 
  

That is fantastic.

I'm gonna go on a limb and say that it would be cooler if it was a hammer.

ooh that's like the "We are going to make an example out of you" banning

" I'm gonna go on a limb and say that it would be cooler if it was a hammer. "

" ooh that's like the "We are going to make an example out of you" banning "

" @ZombiePie said:

" I'm gonna go on a limb and say that it would be cooler if it was a hammer. "

No.  Scythes > hammers.  Maybe you should ask the GB staff for an upgrade? 
 
@trophyhunter said:

" ooh that's like the "We are going to make an example out of you" banning "

That's why...I pointed it out...in my...ah, fuck it.   "

The bannings were made very public because there had been a large amount of cheating that was finally dealt with.  Rampant interrupt bots were ruining PvP, but good programmers saved the day, and Dhuum announces to everyone that the cheating will not be tolerated.

I think it was public more to get people to come back and play again, because something so dramatic circulates far and wide.