The phrase “permanent death” is exactly the kind of thing that is sure to catch my eye — a contradiction, a paradox, an amusing puzzle where two things go together strangely:

The organizers of this month’s Game Developers Conference have revealed the latest batch of newly-announced sessions, including a Game Design Challenge centered around permanent death.

… The always-entertaining Game Design Challenge will be back again at GDC, with famed developers including Airtight Games’ Kim Swift and Thatgamecompany’s Jenova Chen pitching their game ideas related to the topic of “real-life permadeath.” With games like Heavy Rain and Mass Effect 2 making waves by including the ability for characters to die permanently, it should be interesting to see the unique new ways the creators of Portal and Flower can approach the subject.

– Dave Ruddin @ Gamepro.com

GDC Game Design Challenge 2010: Real-World Permadeath

The Game Developer’s conference runs March 9 – 13, 2010 in San Francisco.

Which reminds me:

John Varley uses the phrase “permanent death” to excellent effect in the opening of his novel The Ophiuchi Hotline —

Daily Legal Bulletin, published by the Intersystem Office of Criminal Control Research. Aquarius 14, 568 O.E.

Case of Lilo-Alexander-Calypso vs. The People of Luna.

(Legal Summary — For immediate Release)
The State charges that Lilo-Alexander-Calypso, during the period of time 1/3/556 to 12/18/567, did willfully and knowingly conduct experiments upon human genetic material with the intent of artificially inducing mutations in said material. The State further alleges that defendant did produce human blastocytes and embryos reflecting potential structures atypical of the permitted spectrum of Humanity, in violation of the Unified Code of the Eight Worlds Confederation, Article Three (Crimes Against Humanity) Section Seven (Genetic Crimes). The State asks the penalty of permanent death.

– The Ophiuchi Hotline by John Varley