What’s the biggest risk you’d like to take — but haven’t been able to?
Answer: Hitting Go Live. The blog lets me edit the disasters into a story; a livestream is permadeath for perfectionism—no reloads, no “I’ll rewrite that later.” It would mean showing more of myself (even just my voice) and sticking to a schedule while wolves chase me in real time. One day I’ll press the button. For now, I’m building the campfire with posts and short clips.
(Until then, the safest place to watch me nearly freeze is Survivor Incognito.)
If you’d asked me a few years ago, I’d probably have said something simple like “getting through the week without accidentally burning pasta.”
But now? I’m proudest of building Survivor Incognito—this weird, wandering campfire of chaos that started as a small idea and slowly turned into something people actually read, follow, and enjoy.
It’s not fame or fortune, and that’s what makes it special. It’s slow growth, honest effort, and a whole lot of heart. Every view, every comment, every returning reader—each is proof that I took the leap, stuck with it, and made something that feels like me.
Six months in, I’m proud that I didn’t give up when the numbers were low, when the formatting broke, or when I wondered if anyone even noticed. Because even if it’s a quiet campfire, it’s mine—and it’s still burning.
Platform: Steam Deck Rule: Apex Predator (Charles must kill me three times for the run to end)
⚙️ Survival Status: 3 Strikes Total Only Charles can take them away.
Each egg restores a lost strike — but I can’t exceed three.
When the last one’s gone, the run ends.
“If there’s a bad time to use explosives, I’ll find it.”
I start by doing a quick sweep for guards near the mine that’s supposedly holding ammo for the rocket launcher. Thankfully, no one’s around — which is rare, and suspicious. The entrance itself, however, is locked. Naturally.
My map says, “Find a way in.” Okay, fair enough. I look around and find some TNT. Perfect. If that doesn’t open a door, nothing will.
Important survival lesson: stand further back when lighting TNT. I take a chunk of damage from the blast, and I’m pretty sure Charles just got a notification that I’m being an idiot. If he missed that one, don’t worry — I detonate a second explosive down the tracks. More fire, more noise, more damage to me. Subtlety is dead, but the door isn’t. Yet somehow, the mine opens, and I grab the rockets.
Back to John Smith, who hands over The Boomer. I’m officially armed and ready to make even more bad decisions.
Lighthouse Lunacy
My next bright idea: go exploring. I notice a marker close to the island’s edge. Against every instinct I have, I run for it. Turns out it’s a lighthouse, home to a woman named Claire — who needs the breakers fixed.
There’s a shed nearby with four breakers. Easy enough. I sprint over, slot them in, and head back. Apparently, I “missed a step.” Turns out I need to turn them on, and it’s a little puzzle. Thirty seconds later, lights on, job done. Claire thanks me by saying fixing the lighthouse will help others spot us more easily. Yes, Claire. Including Charles.
I make a break for the train. The moment I mark my next stop, I hear it — that whistle. Round two is on.
Round 2: Return of the Rail Demon
Charles is far more persistent this time. I test out The Boomer and land a few solid hits. He claws, rams, and screeches like he’s auditioning for the next Doom soundtrack. Twice, I think he’s gone, and twice, he charges back in. After burning through some scrap for repairs, I finally drive him off. Victory number two to me.
Feeling cocky, I decide to visit another local — Ronny, who seems like he’s gearing up to tell me his life story. Nope. He just wants me to climb some dangerously tall buildings for a box of papers, promising maybe one scrap as a reward. I climb anyway, find a tin of paint for the train (score), but fail a jump and lose a scrap.
Technically, that did count as a “death” — but since it wasn’t at the claws or wheels of Charles himself, it doesn’t break the Apex Predator Rule. Accidental gravity-assisted injuries are free passes in this run.
After a few more attempts, I decide Ronny’s box isn’t worth the spinal injuries. My train, on the other hand, gets a stylish new coat of paint — a well-earned upgrade after surviving two Charles encounters.
Danger on the Hill
Feeling brave — or stupid, jury’s out — I go for Theodore’s supply box next. Unfortunately, the area’s crawling with Cultists. I spot one and think I’ve figured out his patrol pattern. I haven’t. The second guard ambushes me from uphill. I sprint for the train, but pause to open my map — rookie mistake. The cultist scores a hit.
As I’m running, I hear that familiar whistle again. Charles is awake, and maybe it’s a blessing in disguise that I didn’t grab that box. I dive into my train, patch up, and decide both Theodore’s mission and Ronny’s tower of death can wait.
For now, the plan is simple: find the next closest survivor, avoid blowing myself up again, and maybe, just maybe, make it to Log 4 without turning into train food.
Need a guide? Explore every stop, scrap pile, and spider sighting with the Aranearum Island Map Guide — your unofficial atlas to surviving the rails.
Every project’s a survival story — some just involve fewer wolves.
Lately? A delicate balance between writing, surviving, and pretending my backlog isn’t plotting against me. Between documenting digital frostbite in The Long Dark, evading aliens in Isolation Protocol, and trying not to crash another truck in SnowRunner, I’ve been expanding the Survivor Incognito multiverse — one respawn at a time.
(The chaos continues — catch the full journey over at Survivor Incognito.)
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
Most people don’t know that I’ve survived blizzards, alien oceans, cannibal islands, and haunted tunnels — all without leaving the couch. My idea of adventure usually involves a save file, a thermos of coffee, and a strong Wi-Fi connection. Real-life survival? No thanks. I’ll stick to respawnable chaos and digital wolves.
(Plenty more virtual survival stories waiting to be told over at Survivor Incognito.)
“They said ‘force Charles into a fight.’ They didn’t mention the choreography involved.”
⚙️ Survival Status: 3 Strikes Total Only Charles can take them away.
Each egg restores a lost strike — but I can’t exceed three.
When the last one’s gone, the run ends.
The Setup — Make ‘Em Fight (And Don’t Get Toasted)
After being told I need to force Charles into a fight to the death, I set out to meet the island’s next eccentric resident — a man who clearly enjoys watching things burn. Sgt. Flint greets me in front of his flaming house, which raises more questions than I’m willing to ask.
I find a water tank above his home, twist the valve, and douse the flames. That act of charity apparently doubles as an invitation, because I soon hear the dulcet, horrifying blare of Charles’ horn in the distance. I sprint for my train, ready for chaos — but he never shows. Either I scared him off or he’s waiting for a better entrance. Flint, unbothered, rewards me with his experimental weapon: the Bug Sprayer. Which, of course, is a flamethrower.
Round One — The Firestarter
Not long after, I get my wish: Charles charges in for our first real showdown. I juggle the Bug Sprayer and machine gun — one setting him ablaze, the other perforating his ego. It’s messy, loud, and absolutely glorious. Charles retreats after taking enough damage, and for the first time since stepping onto this cursed island, I feel like I’ve actually won something.
With the immediate threat gone and my train held together by scrap and spite, I decide to take advantage of the quiet. Time to meet the locals — and, inevitably, their problems.
Islanders & Errands — The To-Do List Grows
Island socialising here is just a series of fetch quests disguised as introductions. Everyone has a task, and apparently, I’m the errand boy.
Theodore — far too well-dressed for a place that’s one bad day away from Mad Max. Wants a box recovered from a railcar in a nearby canyon. Bandits guard it. I politely file that under “later.”
Santiago — prepping to leave the island as soon as rescue arrives, but he’s left his journal at home. Add another fetch quest to the growing pile.
John Smith — working on a rocket launcher (finally, someone useful). Needs me to collect the rocket ammo from a nearby bunker. That immediately jumps to the top of the list.
Greg — appears to have misplaced his clothing and sense of urgency. Used to work for the mine owner and warns that if the eggs hatch, there’ll be three more Charles-like horrors running around. He hands me the key to the second mine. Great. Just what I needed.
So far, my to-do list looks like this:
Collect rocket ammo from the bunker (top priority — rocket launcher > everything else).
Retrieve Theodore’s box from the canyon railcar (expect bandits).
Fetch Santiago’s journal from his house (return it before he reconsiders leaving).
Investigate the second mine (Greg’s key in hand, nerves not included).
Next Stop — The Bunker
With Charles licking his wounds somewhere in the wilderness, I make my way toward the bunker where John Smith’s rocket ammo supposedly waits. The island is eerily quiet now — no horn, no tracks shaking, just the wind and my engine’s occasional complaint. Perfect time to loot everything not nailed down and add more scrap to my emergency stash.
I haven’t seen Charles again since our fight, but I know he’s out there. Watching. Waiting. Probably still smouldering a little.
Log Observations & Survival Notes
Scrap is life: It’s your health, armour, and upgrade material all in one. Pick up every piece you see — it’s never enough.
Weapon swapping works: Flamethrower to make Charles back off, machine gun for consistent hits. Alternate, repair, survive.
Speed upgrades are essential: The faster your train, the smaller your funeral.
Quiet moments lie: If you don’t hear Charles, it’s because he’s planning something.
Pro Tips (Apex Rookie Friendly)
Always keep scrap handy — repairs and upgrades are instant, but you’ll burn through metal faster than ammo.
Mark every quest on your map. It’s easy to get lost between rail spurs and regret.
The Bug Sprayer is for Charles only. Do not waste fuel showing off. It’s not that kind of game.
When Charles retreats, use that window to explore. The peace never lasts long.
Need a guide? Explore every stop, scrap pile, and spider sighting with the Aranearum Island Map Guide — your unofficial atlas to surviving the rails.
Do lazy days make you feel rested or unproductive?
Honestly? Rested and unproductive — it’s a two-for-one deal. Some days I need to recharge, and other days I just stare at the screen pretending to plan my next move in whatever survival game I’m currently obsessed with. The trick is accepting that even survivors need downtime. After all, you can’t outrun wolves, mutants, or hunger if you’re running on empty.
(Plenty of productive procrastination happening over at Survivor Incognito.)
When you think of the word “successful,” who’s the first person that comes to mind and why?
Anyone who’s managed to survive a week in The Long Dark without falling through the ice, accidentally eating raw meat, or setting their only pair of socks on fire. Success isn’t yachts or millions — it’s persistence, problem-solving, and remembering to save your coffee for emergencies.
(Plenty of practical, caffeine-fuelled success stories at Survivor Incognito.)
Someone who doesn’t raid your supply cache, lure predators to your cabin, or build a base two feet from your fishing hut. In the real world, I’ll settle for someone who says hi, respects quiet hours, and doesn’t set off fireworks at 2 a.m. Basically, the opposite of every NPC I’ve ever met in a survival game.
(Plenty more tips for surviving neighbours — human and otherwise — at Survivor Incognito.)
Submerged: A Subnautica Survival Diary – Log 2: The Depths of Progress
Difficulty: Survival (Steam Deck Survival) Optional Features: Grav Trap Deployed for Science and Snacks
“Silver is rarer than common sense on this planet.”
After yesterday’s fire-fighting and frantic crafting, I started the day with a new radio message: Lifepod 17 had also crashed somewhere nearby — right next to the Seamoth Bay, apparently. But priorities are priorities, and since Lifepod 3 radioed me first, they got first rescue attempt.
Priorities, Podcasts, and PDAs
Lifepod 3 wasn’t exactly a rescue success.
I did, however, find a blueprint for a compass — the kind of thing that makes you wonder why your pod didn’t come with one pre-installed. I added it straight to the “to-craft-once-I-can-see-straight” list, along with a PDA I’ll read later when I’m not holding my breath underwater. No survivors… unless you count me, which I do, enthusiastically.
Back at my pod, I realised something important: I can’t see a damn thing once it gets dark. So I finally crafted a torch — apparently the galaxy’s most underrated invention — along with a survival knife because there’s nothing like a little sharp-edged comfort in an ocean full of unknown lifeforms.
Lifepod 17 and the Great Seamoth Discovery
Next stop: Lifepod 17.
Predictably, it was another empty seat arrangement, but I did strike technological gold — enough Seamoth fragments to unlock the blueprint. I just need a Mobile Vehicle Bay now, which sounds easy enough until you remember I’m surviving on cooked bladderfish and spite.
While exploring the wrecks, I also found the last few materials to upgrade my O₂ tank. More air equals more curiosity, and more curiosity usually equals more trouble, so that’s a win all around.
Incoming Messages and Explosive Warnings
Just as I was feeling productive, I got a new transmission — this time from the Sunbeam. They wanted a response, but my comms system is, and I quote, “irreparably damaged.” Translation: I’m talking to myself for the foreseeable future.
With no one to call and no Netflix subscription in sight, I built a Grav Trap and tossed it outside the Lifepod to watch it work. Instant sushi buffet. Fish helplessly drawn into an invisible vortex of doom. It’s oddly soothing.
Science in Motion
Full gameplay log below — forty minutes of exploration, crafting, and the occasional panic swim. Featuring Grav Trap testing, Lifepod 17 dives, and my ongoing battle with visibility and oxygen management.
Watch on YouTube
I even had enough parts for a Rebreather, further extending my underwater escapades. Everything was going fine… right up until the PDA told me the Aurora will explode in approximately two hours.
Sure. Two hours to stop a planet-sized reactor meltdown with nothing but a knife and optimism. Sounds totally achievable.
Silver, Sunbeam, and Sinking Realisations
I spent the rest of the day chasing one thing: silver. I’d convinced myself it didn’t exist anymore, that I’d mined the planet dry earlier. But after far too many dives and muttered curses, I finally found some glimmering salvation among the sandstone outcrops.
Back at the Lifepod, another message awaited — the Sunbeam again. They’ve spotted the wreckage of the Aurora and are coming to investigate. They’ll be here within the week.
So not all doom and gloom then. Just mild existential dread… and a new compass freshly crafted to help me get lost in the right direction next time.
Survivor Incognito 