I...I... don't even know what to say

[schild]

I woke up to this:

Video Gamers Immortalized in Space by NCsoft

 

Sending digital time capsule with human DNA on Richard Garriott’s journey to International Space Station

 

 

AUSTIN, July 30, 2008—Could you be the savior of humankind?  NCsoft®, the world’s leading publisher and developer of online computer games, has announced it will launch the “Immortality Drive” – a time capsule with the digitized DNA of select video game players and space aficionados – into orbit when famed game designer Richard Garriott travels to the International Space Station in October 2008.

As part of NCsoft’s “Operation Immortality,” Richard Garriott – the man who created Tabula Rasa, a massively multiplayer online (MMO) PC game that explores the destruction of Earth – is now venturing into space to save humanity.

During the campaign, Tabula Rasa players have a chance to have their DNA sequenced, digitized and sent into space on the Immortality Drive. In addition, all players with active accounts on September 2, 2008 will have their Tabula Rasa characters uploaded to the device, giving them the opportunity to go to space virtually.  In order to make this unique opportunity accessible to as many people as possible, free trials of the game are available at http://www.rgtr.com/trial.  Garriott will place the Immortality Drive on the International Space Station when he travels there this fall.

“I’ve been able to do some very exciting things in the games business, but nothing of this magnitude,” said Garriott, executive producer for Tabula Rasa at NCsoft. “I’m thrilled we can offer the once in a lifetime chance to millions of gamers to virtually go to space with me. A select few will have their DNA digitized and sent. And, theoretically, if anything happens to the human race, it could be their DNA that is used to resurrect humanity.”

Starting today and lasting through August 31, 2008, anyone with a PC and an Internet connection can go to http://www.OperationImmortality.com and participate in weekly polls on humanity’s greatest achievements which will be included on the Immortality Drive, such as “What is the greatest song of all time?” and “What is the greatest technological breakthrough of all time?” Current Tabula Rasa players, or those who download and play the free trial, will also be able to enter a personal message for inclusion on the Drive.

“This is your chance to leave your mark,” says Garriott. “While everyone can participate in the polls at OperationImmortality.com, Tabula Rasa players will be the only gamers in the universe who can say that a piece of them is in space, since we’re sending their in-game alter-egos, and for some, their DNA, to space with me.”

Tabula Rasa, which launched November 2007, is an intense, fast-paced, sci-fi MMO PC game that puts you in the middle of the never-ending intergalactic fight for freedom against a hostile alien race called the Bane.  Players use high-tech weaponry, alien powers, and the help of other Allied Free Sentients (AFS) soldiers to rid the universe of the Bane threat.

With frequent free updates to players, the game world of Tabula Rasa has grown significantly since launch. Upcoming features to the game include clan-owned Control Points, new missions, and Personal Armor Units.

 No purchase is necessary to participate in Operation Immortality, with free trials of Richard Garriott’s Tabula Rasa available at http://www.rgtr.com/trial.  The game is currently available at most major retailers and at the PlayNC® store. The retail box includes the first month of online game play. After the first month, players will be charged a monthly subscription fee of US$14.99. The game is rated Teen by the Entertainment Software Rating Board.

For information about Operation Immortality, including full terms and conditions, go to http://www.OperationImmortality.com. For information on Richard Garriott’s Tabula Rasa go to http://www.rgtr.com.

I think I threw up a little.

[Slayerik]

He's lost it folks. And shame on you NCSoft. That has got to be the most convoluted and hysterical cry for subs I have ever seen.

[Trippy]

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

[Nebu]

Richard Garriott – the man who created Tabula Rasa, a massively multiplayer online (MMO) PC game that explores the destruction of Earth – is now venturing into space to save humanity.

Operation Human Asteroid Shield, engaged.

[Mrbloodworth]

Hes going to clone a subscriber base.

[Abelian75]

That is glorious.

[Draegan]

You gotta give him credit.  He's putting your avatar IN SPACE.  Like real life space.  SPACE!

..as in OUTER space.  God damnit man. Don't you see?

[Nebu]

[lac]

if anything happens to the human race, it could be their DNA that is used to resurrect humanity.”

Only to become extinct in one generation because they were all male

[Jayce]

if anything happens to the human race, it could be their DNA that is used to resurrect humanity.”

Only to become extinct in one generation because they were all male

 


Also, I'm not sure I'd want to be around for a newly ressurected human race that was composed of gamers and game designers.  Not that I don't like you people, but..

[HaemishM]

...


Fuck. They're going to be able to clone catasses.

[Yegolev]

How does Garriott still have a job?

[Salamok]

How does Garriott still have a job?

he has a long resume and the people he works for don't speak english.

Personally I think the entire DNA collection part of this is a scam, he just wants to clone 10-20 schilds to serve as paiges in his new castle.

[schild]

Talk about peasant revolt. Those clones would eat him. Literally, with some Tabasco. My clones don't play.

[Lantyssa]

...

[HaemishM]

Well, if they pick the DNA samples only from Tabula Rasa players, how will they ever fill 20 slots? I guess that's why they let survey users qualify as well.

[Lantyssa]

They want to look for genetic markers which predispose people to playing crappy games.

[WindupAtheist]

I love Richard Garriot.  Just when you start to think everyone in MMO gaming is crazy, Lord British decides to build a castle on the moon or some shit, and it puts everything back into perspective.

[lac]

He sure took this 'shooting your dna towards space' thing to a new level.

[kildorn]

...

I don't think that's what the Explorer archetype means, Garriot.

[Soln]

at least he'll know the code for those people who like his work.  Or are insane.

[Lucas]

What a genius.

I want to be his little puppy   

[apocrypha]

What a genius.

It's such a fine, fine line between that and madness, eh?

[Lucas]

What a genius.

It's such a fine, fine line between that and madness, eh?

Exactly...EXACTLY!! 

[WayAbvPar]

He sure took this 'shooting your dna towards space' thing to a new level.

Well played, sir.

 Now go find a Kleenex or a sock or something and towel yourself off.

[Ghambit]

Having your DNA sequenced is not cheap.  The crumbiest sequencing job runs $1000+.  If it were me I would've ran this promotion when the hybrid player-race was introduced back when the whole DNA-corruption lore was in place.  Now, it just seems stupid.

I'd prefer to have my DNA sequenced and the results giviin BACK to me and analyzed by geneticists - not shot into space with RG.  I do hope they winners get the former at least.

[Nebu]

Assuming for a moment that, by some infinitessimal chance, another life form is not only able to travel the crazy distance to get here but also find us in the vastness of space... What the fuck is a DNA sequence going to mean to them anyway? 

"Oh look Bob, it's GGAGAGATCCTAGAGAGAGGAGGTTTCCAA."

People still think the universe revolves around the Earth.  It cracks me up. 

[tazelbain]

I still not sure this could ever possibly "save humanity".

[K9]

Assuming for a moment that, by some infinitessimal chance, another life form is not only able to travel the crazy distance to get here but also find us in the vastness of space... What the fuck is a DNA sequence going to mean to them anyway? 

"Oh look Bob, it's GGAGAGATCCTAGAGAGAGGAGGTTTCCAA."

People still think the universe revolves around the Earth.  It cracks me up. 

There is also the problem that only two people in the whole world have ever had their entire genome sequenced, and I doubt NCSoft has either the cash or the generousity to add to this number, so the morsel of your DNA that gets sent up will be absolutely meaningless, even before you consider what you said 

[tmp]

the morsel of your DNA that gets sent up will be absolutely meaningless, even before you consider what you said 

Results may be interesting though. I'm suddenly reminded of that screenshot featuring horse head as veteran reward or whatever it was...

[Fabricated]

CHART A COURSE TO THE PIZZA SECTOR, WARP 5!

[Hawkbit]

Assuming for a moment that, by some infinitessimal chance, another life form is not only able to travel the crazy distance to get here but also find us in the vastness of space... What the fuck is a DNA sequence going to mean to them anyway? 

"Oh look Bob, it's GGAGAGATCCTAGAGAGAGGAGGTTTCCAA."

People still think the universe revolves around the Earth.  It cracks me up. 

It's all math, man.  Give them the chemical primers for GATC molecules and how the strand is formed then they'll have a good idea how to start.  The structure (form and chemistry) of DNA has been one of the few things that has shaken up my athiest nature.  It's too perfect, really.

[Nebu]

All the DNA in the world will not a person make.  It's a blueprint.  Without intimate working knowledge of all the associated machinery, the sequence is worthless.

This message brought to you by the science nerds of america.

[lamaros]

Who the fuck wouldn't want to go to space? Garriott is crazy because he's managed to turn this desire into a stupid promotion too? Why? If someone comes up to me and says "Hey, do you want to go to space?" I'd respond will "hell yeah", even with the association with some insane promotion.

I don't know how he's organised things, but I assume that the costs are not cheap, so any attempt to squeeze more money out of Tabula Rasa at the same time makes sense.

[Ratman_tf]

...


Fuck. They're going to be able to clone catasses.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWyxvDrznhI&feature=related