Perma-dying Worlds and the Limit of Eternal Return in Digital Games

Abstract

The article discusses the types of death in selected digital and tabletop games, sorting them into two groups: ones that follow the pattern of eternal return and allow the player to endlessly respawn in their worlds, and ones that limit the possibility of coming back. The article focuses on the latter, and analyses the mechanics limiting the access to the game – from permadeath, through the randomness and unique character of the events happening in online multiplayer games, up to permapermadeath – and the effects of the application of these mechanics.