Survival Mode

Survival Mode is the unofficial colloquial name for three optional difficulty parameters that can be enabled when starting a new game or new game+ in Prey (2017): Weapon Degradation, Extra Traumas, and Oxygen.

History
All of the parameters were planned as non-optional mechanics for the game, but were scrapped later on in development for unknown reasons. The developers later recycled these ideas into the downloadable-content expansion Prey: Mooncrash. A few months later, and update to the game allowed the mechanics to be added when starting a new game.

Weapon Degradation
When Morgan takes damage, so does his equipped weapon. The weapon will take even more damage if it was a thermal, voltaic, or ethereal hazard or attack. Weapons will also start to degrade over time from use (200 shots for the Shotgun and Disruptor Stun Gun and 500 shots for the Silenced Pistol and GLOO Cannon. A weapon's integrity is displayed when highlighted either in the inventory screen of the TranScribe or the weapon wheel. A weapon's integrity will also be shown before being picked up. If the player has the Repair ability, weapons may be repaired with spare parts (+25% Integrity at Level I +35% at Level II, and 50% at level III).

If a weapon's integrity reaches zero, it will break. A broken weapon will only fire one round (at reduced power) before jamming, after which the player character will begin a moderately long animation where they will unjam the weapon. The ammo counts will not be visible on the weapon, replaced by an error notification. The Wrench, Huntress Boltcaster, and all grenade/charge weapons (Recycler Charge, EMP Charge, Typhon Lure, and the Nullwave Transmitter) will never break.

Extra Traumas
This parameter adds the following traumas:


 * Concussion: Reduces maximum psi capacity, reduces resistance to physic and fear attacks, blurs vision, and prevents the installation of Neuromods. Can only be cured by Brained Pills and by Medical Operators. Often caused by physics objects colliding with the player character. This is a common side-effect of the Moon Shark's rock throw attack.
 * The Psychoshock Shielding (*) 21.4GHz psychoscope chipset grants resistance to psychoshock, which causes concussions. Concussions can also be produced in other ways however.
 * Fracture: Movement is impaired and the player cannot sprint. Can only be cured by a Skeletal Repair Kit or a Medical Operator.
 * Hemorrhage: The player takes extra damage from physical attacks and is damaged when they jump or sprint. Can only be cured with Coagulating Gel or by a Medical Operator. Often caused by Eradicator Auto-Turrets and other bullet-based damage.
 * Third Degree Burns: Reduces maximum health. Can only be cured by a Dermaweb Skin Graft or by a medical operator. Caused by extended exposure to thermal damage. Often a side-effect of Superthermal (Thermal Phantoms).
 * Thermal Shielding (*) 19.4GHz grants resistance to fire damage.
 * The Thermal Resistance ability reduces the amount of damage given by thermal attacks.

Oxygen
When your suits integrity is damaged, it will cause your suit to leak oxygen when in zero-gravity environments. Oxygen can be refilled by interacting with o2 bottles or oxygen stations. Running out of oxygen has... obvious effects (death).