General Discussion

The folks over at NCsoft's Tabula Rasa have announced yet again thsat Stephen Colbert willl be sending his DnA into space as a part of Tabula Rasa's Operation Immortality. Do you think it's possible that they're looking for the Colbert Bump?

Stephen Colbert is saving humanity by having his DNA digitized and sent into space on the Tabula Rasa Immortality Drive. Now you can join him, and together determine the fate of the entire human race!

This Thursday, Sept 18, 2008, tune into Comedy Central to watch General British, Tabula Rasa’s own Richard Garriott, on “The Colbert Report” discussing Operation Immortality and Stephen Colbert’s ultimate contribution to humanity. And, of course, there is still plenty of time for you to contribute by having your DNA immortalized alongside Stephen’s.

Over the next two weeks, four lucky Tabula Rasa players will be selected to have their own DNA sequenced and recorded on the Tabula Rasa Immortality Drive, which will be stored on the International Space Station when Richard visits in October. But wait, there’s more—when you play the game you will receive an in-game working model of the rocket that will send Stephen’s DNA into space. Pretend you are a Soyuz control center technician and have your own liftoff!

Read more here.

Personally, i think they are trying to destroy humanity, 2 scum of the earth vainly preserving their dna in space....

I seriously think that all this is just a marketing ploy to get more players and viewers. Well you won't get me!!!

Unfortunately nor Colbert or Project Immortality will save Tabula Rasa.  The only thing that will save TR is finishing up what they've promised and implementing systems that are actually meaningful and right with the lore.  If your not going to finish adding missions to your 30+ crowd, then you seriously need to roll out an alternate means of entertainment within. 

As exciting as the combat is, it alone won't help TR survive.

Easily, one of the dumbest marketing ideas I've seen recently (right next to using Seinfeld in Microsoft ads). NCSoft should remove Garriott and his name from this title as soon as possible if they have any intention of saving this title.

You guys do know that Operation Immortality comes out of Richard going into space (for which he paid his own way) and seeing an opportunity to use it to have a little fun / promote the game, right? You understand that this is taking a total of zero time away from development, etc.?

It's just for kicks folks.

Originally posted by Stradden

You guys do know that Operation Immortality comes out of Richard going into space (for which he paid his own way) and seeing an opportunity to use it to have a little fun / promote the game, right? You understand that this is taking a total of zero time away from development, etc.?

It's just for kicks folks.

I know that, Jon, but it doesn't alter that fact that too much of this game's failure stems from Garriott's influence. Continuing to use his Real-Life Adventures for marketing purposes isn't going to pull this game out of the tank. In reality, it's like Richard's making a show of the obscene amount of money NCSoft paid him to develop this title, the game that almost ruined them.

Richard Garriott can go to the moon for all I care, but NCSoft continuing to attach his face to this game is not helping Tabula Rasa a bit.

Originally posted by Stradden

You guys do know that Operation Immortality comes out of Richard going into space (for which he paid his own way) and seeing an opportunity to use it to have a little fun / promote the game, right? You understand that this is taking a total of zero time away from development, etc.?

It's just for kicks folks.

With what money, from which project and company did Richard Garrot use in order to get to space?  While this may be only a guess I would take my chances and say that it came backed with the signature of NCSoft's payroll.  For what project has RG been working on extensively with NCSoft, that being Tabula Rasa.

While you say it has taken zero-time away from development, I beg to differ.  Operation Immortaliy has taken the time of many departments, marketing, writing, and web/flash development.  Time spent costs money, as well as promoting this through banner's.  This marketing scheme cost money regardless.

Now how does that affect development?  It takes away time/people/resources from the game were it really needs all hands-on-deck to bring this title up to par.  Not to mention all the time RG spends away from his desk training for this trip to space.  Its time spent focusing on something else than his game, where his attention most certainly needs to be.

While it may be "just for kicks" this isn't something that is either inexpensive or quick.  I wish I had the resources available to just do something of this proportion just for kicks.