diff --git a/connection.go b/connection.go
index 1124c3d..c61b17b 100644
--- a/connection.go
+++ b/connection.go
@@ -63,10 +63,11 @@ func (c *Connection) Login() {
 			log_error("could not read player: %v", err)
 			player = &Player{name: name}
 			if err := player.Create(); err != nil {
-
+				log_error("unable to create player record: %v", err)
 			}
 			fmt.Fprintf(c, "you look new around these parts, %s.\n", player.name)
 			fmt.Fprintf(c, `if you'd like a description of how to play, type the "help" command`)
+			c.player = player
 		} else {
 			c.player = player
 			fmt.Fprintf(c, "welcome back, %s.\n", player.name)
diff --git a/player.go b/player.go
index b119089..caf5469 100644
--- a/player.go
+++ b/player.go
@@ -29,6 +29,14 @@ func (p *Player) Create() error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+func (p *Player) Dead() bool {
+    return false
+}
+
+func (p *Player) Tick(frame int64) {
+
+}
+
 func playersTable() {
 	stmnt := `create table if not exists players (
         id integer not null primary key autoincrement,
diff --git a/system.go b/system.go
index 35457e6..f8fb062 100644
--- a/system.go
+++ b/system.go
@@ -246,4 +246,3 @@ func randomSystem() (*System, error) {
 	planet := index[pick]
 	return planet, nil
 }
-