Attempt number 11 or 12 of a Dead-is-Dead campaign of X3 Terran Conflict. If you die, there’s no going back to a save game, you are dead and it’s game over (modern games usually call this hardcore mode). I’ve lasted to the second night a few times, but usually die with about with 2-4 hours of game time.

Tonight, I died on about the fifth night. I had a TM, 400mj of shields protecting me, about 12 Million cr in my account. It looked like this was finally the one I’d make it through nine campaigns.

I wasn’t even in combat. Some stupid Strong Arms trader crashed into me coming out of a jumpgate and I was immediately attacked and killed. I had trained over 10 marines and was getting ready to go capture my first corvette. Once in a Corvette, my odds of survival in any normal encounter shoot up 100x.

So frustrating to get so close and lose everything! Roughly 20-25 hours lost. I’ve said this to myself after a few previous attempts, but I don’t know that I have the heart/patience to go back to the start yet again.