NCsoft: Human DNA Into Space
NCsoft Auctions Ability to send Human DNA Into Space
Highest bidder to have digitized DNA stored on International Space Station; Proceeds to benefit Planet Make-Over
AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 14, 2008 - NCsoft® announced today that it will auction an opportunity for one person to send their digitized DNA into space on a special Operation Immortality sale on the popular Internet auction site, eBay. The news comes just days after the company announced that an Immortality Drive , a time capsule with the digitized DNA of select video gamers and space aficionados, and a collection of humankind's greatest achievements, will be carried to the International Space Station (ISS) by famed game designer Richard Garriott on October 12.
The auction can be accessed at the Operation Immortality auction site located at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250282465825 . There are two items up for bidding in the auction. The first is a DNA swab kit, which allows users to swab the inside of their cheek and send the sample to a certified testing lab, which will provide a digitized version of the purchaser's DNA to be placed on the special Immortality Drive. Garriott will leave the drive on the ISS prior to his return to Earth.
Players can be immortalized in Garriott's latest game, Tabula Rasa® with the second item in the auction package, a character in Tabula Rasa to be named after the winner. Anyone who isn't already playing the game can access a free trial at http://www.rgtr.com/trial .
The auction is currently open and will close on August 20.
The proceeds from the auction will benefit Planet Make-Over's non-profit Arts Endowment via the Nobelity Project . Planet Make-Over is company based in Austin, Texas with a mission to reverse the effects of global warming. The funds will provide financial support and guidance to performing artists who evangelize Planet Make-Over's efforts to reverse global warming. On August 12, NCsoft announced that recording artists Eric Johnson, Patrice Pike, and musical director Stephen Bruton in association with Planet Make-Over will be participating in NCsoft's Operation Immortality and sending their DNA into space via the Immortality Drive.
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 .