Video Gamers Immortalized in Space by NCsoft

July 30, 2008

Video Gamers Immortalized in
Space by NCsoft

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

Could you be the savior of
humankind? NCsoft 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 Operation Immortality Interview Video



Tabula Rasa Operation Immortality Video

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
.