diff --git a/autoloads/game.gd b/autoloads/game.gd
index f26664e..1a3970e 100644
--- a/autoloads/game.gd
+++ b/autoloads/game.gd
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ var current_level: int = 0
 var difficulty: int = Difficulty.SPICY setget _set_difficulty
 var enemy_speed_factor: float = 1.0 # multiplier of enemy speed
 var is_easy_mode: bool = false # whether to do easy-specific behaviors
-var use_lives: bool = true
+var use_lives: bool = false
 var can_pause: bool = true
 var can_restart: bool = true
 var current_palette: String = "default"