Created by Chris Carter (creator of the X-Files), Harsh Realm (1999) was a tv show that was after only 3 episodes (though 6 filmed before cancelation were later shown in syndication). The show was centered around Thomas Hobes, a former soldier who had been deceived into participating in a virtual reality combat simulation. Unbeknownst to him, the game had been taken over by one of its participants: former Sergeant Major, and now self styled General, Omar Santiago. Despite being a game, once hooked in the players were unable to leave and would really die if killed in the game world.