diff --git a/frontend/src/App.css b/frontend/src/App.css
index 51c0b60..bf471d2 100644
--- a/frontend/src/App.css
+++ b/frontend/src/App.css
@@ -153,3 +153,61 @@ body {
   background: rgba(255, 50, 50, 0.3);
   color: #ffffff;
 }
+
+/* Loading Screen */
+.loading-screen {
+  width: 100%;
+  height: 100%;
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: center;
+  background: #050505 url('/assets/runtime/generated/ui/loading_screen_v001.png') center/cover no-repeat;
+  position: relative;
+  z-index: 9999;
+}
+
+.loading-screen::before {
+  content: '';
+  position: absolute;
+  inset: 0;
+  background: radial-gradient(circle at center, transparent 0%, rgba(0,0,0,0.8) 100%);
+}
+
+.loading-content {
+  position: relative;
+  z-index: 1;
+  text-align: center;
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: 20px;
+}
+
+.loading-spinner {
+  width: 50px;
+  height: 50px;
+  border: 3px solid rgba(255, 50, 50, 0.1);
+  border-top-color: #ff3333;
+  border-radius: 50%;
+  animation: spin 1s linear infinite;
+  box-shadow: 0 0 15px rgba(255, 50, 50, 0.4);
+}
+
+.loading-text {
+  font-family: 'Rajdhani', monospace;
+  font-size: 14px;
+  color: #ff3333;
+  letter-spacing: 4px;
+  font-weight: 700;
+  text-shadow: 0 0 10px rgba(255, 50, 50, 0.5);
+  animation: pulse 2s ease-in-out infinite;
+}
+
+@keyframes spin {
+  to { transform: rotate(360deg); }
+}
+
+@keyframes pulse {
+  0%, 100% { opacity: 0.6; }
+  50% { opacity: 1; }
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/App.tsx b/frontend/src/App.tsx
index cadb0e9..cc949c9 100644
--- a/frontend/src/App.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/App.tsx
@@ -70,12 +70,11 @@ import './App.css';
 
 // ─── Lazy fallback ────────────────────────────────────────────
 const LazyFallback: React.FC = () => (
-  <div style={{
-    display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', justifyContent: 'center',
-    height: '100%', background: '#0a0a0f', color: '#4ade80',
-    fontFamily: 'monospace', fontSize: 12,
-  }}>
-    Loading...
+  <div className="loading-screen">
+    <div className="loading-content">
+      <div className="loading-spinner" />
+      <div className="loading-text">INITIALIZING SYSTEMS...</div>
+    </div>
   </div>
 );
 
@@ -218,11 +217,7 @@ const App: React.FC = () => {
 
   // Show loading while checking auth
   if (!authChecked) {
-    return (
-      <div style={{ height: '100vh', background: '#0a0a0f', display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', justifyContent: 'center' }}>
-        <div style={{ color: '#4ade80', fontFamily: 'monospace', fontSize: 14 }}>Loading...</div>
-      </div>
-    );
+    return <LazyFallback />;
   }
 
   // Show auth screen if not logged in (skipped in demo mode)
diff --git a/frontend/src/assets/assetManifest.ts b/frontend/src/assets/assetManifest.ts
index 2c39647..c51814c 100644
--- a/frontend/src/assets/assetManifest.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/assets/assetManifest.ts
@@ -252,6 +252,13 @@ export const environmentAssets: Record<string, EnvironmentAsset> = {
     streetBackdropDay:   `${ENVS}/street/block_stripplaza_day_street_v001.png`,
     streetBackdropNight: `${ENVS}/street/block_stripplaza_night_street_v001.png`,
   },
+  block_lasolas_miami_001: {
+    id: 'block_lasolas_miami_001',
+    displayName: 'Las Olas Boulevard',
+    topdownBg:           `/assets/runtime/generated/environments/topdown/block_lasolas_topdown_v001.png`,
+    streetBackdropDay:   `/assets/runtime/generated/environments/street/block_lasolas_driveby_street_v001.png`,
+    streetBackdropNight: `/assets/runtime/generated/environments/street/block_lasolas_driveby_street_v001.png`,
+  },
 };
 
 // ─── UI Icons (generated set) ────────────────────────────────
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/layout/OSShell.css b/frontend/src/components/layout/OSShell.css
index ed87e32..ecc6aed 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/layout/OSShell.css
+++ b/frontend/src/components/layout/OSShell.css
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@
   content: '';
   position: fixed;
   inset: 0;
-  background: url('/assets/bg_desktop.jpg') center/cover no-repeat;
+  background: url('/assets/runtime/generated/ui/os_shell_wallpaper_v001.png') center/cover no-repeat;
   opacity: 0.25;
   z-index: 0;
   filter: brightness(0.6) saturate(1.2);
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/map/BlockModeView.tsx b/frontend/src/components/map/BlockModeView.tsx
index 6086a17..fcfca4a 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/map/BlockModeView.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/map/BlockModeView.tsx
@@ -332,7 +332,7 @@ const BlockModeView: React.FC<BlockModeViewProps> = ({
         ) : viewMode === 'topdown' ? (
           // Use the Phaser scene when a real satellite URL is available;
           // fall back to the CSS grid for dev/no-token environments
-          block.topdownBgUrl && block.topdownBgUrl.startsWith('http') ? (
+          block.topdownBgUrl && (block.topdownBgUrl.startsWith('http') || block.topdownBgUrl.startsWith('/assets/')) ? (
             <PhaserTopDownBlock
               blockId={block.id}
               onCellClick={(_col, _row) => {}}
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/slide/PhaserSlideGame.tsx b/frontend/src/components/slide/PhaserSlideGame.tsx
index e499e96..bd5abcd 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/slide/PhaserSlideGame.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/slide/PhaserSlideGame.tsx
@@ -82,7 +82,6 @@ export const PhaserSlideGame: React.FC<PhaserSlideGameProps> = ({
 
       scene.events.on('cell_click', handleCellClick);
     } catch (err) {
-      // eslint-disable-next-line no-console
       console.error('[PhaserSlideGame] failed to init Phaser', err);
       setError(err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Unknown Phaser error');
     }
diff --git a/frontend/src/stores/npcStore.ts b/frontend/src/stores/npcStore.ts
index 48a44da..9f83771 100644
--- a/frontend/src/stores/npcStore.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/stores/npcStore.ts
@@ -119,9 +119,9 @@ function makeNPCMember(
 
 const DEFAULT_GANGS: NPCGang[] = [
   {
-    id: 'npc-scorpions',
-    name: 'The Scorpions',
-    faction: 'eastside',
+    id: 'npc-12ocho',
+    name: '12Ocho / Twelve-O',
+    faction: 'southside',
     difficulty: 2,
     aggression: 65,
     wealth: 40,
@@ -129,101 +129,87 @@ const DEFAULT_GANGS: NPCGang[] = [
     controlledBlocks: [],
     threatening: false,
     lastTickAt: new Date(Date.now() - 600_000).toISOString(),
-    lastAction: 'Patrolling their blocks',
+    lastAction: 'Patrolling Las Olas',
     lastActionType: 'patrol',
     members: [
-      makeNPCMember('sc-1', 'Big Mike', 'shooter', 3),
-      makeNPCMember('sc-2', 'Lil D', 'dealer', 2),
-      makeNPCMember('sc-3', 'Crazy Jay', 'enforcer', 4),
-      makeNPCMember('sc-4', 'Young Ace', 'shooter', 1),
+      makeNPCMember('12-1', 'Ocho', 'shooter', 3),
+      makeNPCMember('12-2', 'Lil 12', 'dealer', 2),
+      makeNPCMember('12-3', 'V-Twelve', 'enforcer', 4),
     ],
   },
   {
-    id: 'npc-deadend',
-    name: 'Dead End Boys',
-    faction: 'westside',
-    difficulty: 3,
-    aggression: 80,
-    wealth: 55,
+    id: 'npc-nofed',
+    name: 'No Fed, All Fed',
+    faction: 'eastside',
+    difficulty: 4,
+    aggression: 85,
+    wealth: 65,
     territoryCount: 5,
     controlledBlocks: [],
     threatening: false,
     lastTickAt: new Date(Date.now() - 1_800_000).toISOString(),
-    lastAction: 'Expanding territory',
+    lastAction: 'Monitoring Federal Hwy',
     lastActionType: 'expand',
     members: [
-      makeNPCMember('de-1', 'OG Reaper', 'enforcer', 5),
-      makeNPCMember('de-2', 'Mad Tee', 'shooter', 4),
-      makeNPCMember('de-3', 'Quick Shadow', 'shooter', 3),
-      makeNPCMember('de-4', 'Fat King', 'dealer', 3),
-      makeNPCMember('de-5', 'Baby Blade', 'dealer', 2),
-      makeNPCMember('de-6', 'Dirty Smoke', 'shooter', 4),
+      makeNPCMember('nf-1', 'Fed Buster', 'enforcer', 5),
+      makeNPCMember('nf-2', 'All-Day', 'shooter', 4),
+      makeNPCMember('nf-3', 'Zero Fed', 'shooter', 4),
     ],
   },
   {
-    id: 'npc-blockburners',
-    name: 'Block Burners',
-    faction: 'southside',
-    difficulty: 1,
-    aggression: 35,
-    wealth: 25,
-    territoryCount: 1,
+    id: 'npc-sevendown',
+    name: 'Seven Down / 7DWN',
+    faction: 'westside',
+    difficulty: 3,
+    aggression: 70,
+    wealth: 50,
+    territoryCount: 4,
     controlledBlocks: [],
     threatening: false,
     lastTickAt: new Date(Date.now() - 3_600_000).toISOString(),
-    lastAction: 'Defending their block',
+    lastAction: 'Holding SW 7th Ave',
     lastActionType: 'defend',
     members: [
-      makeNPCMember('bb-1', 'Tiny Rock', 'shooter', 1),
-      makeNPCMember('bb-2', 'Slick Stone', 'dealer', 1),
-      makeNPCMember('bb-3', 'Smooth Duke', 'shooter', 2),
+      makeNPCMember('7d-1', 'Lucky 7', 'shooter', 3),
+      makeNPCMember('7d-2', 'Down-Low', 'dealer', 3),
+      makeNPCMember('7d-3', 'Seven-Up', 'enforcer', 3),
     ],
   },
   {
-    id: 'npc-400boyz',
-    name: 'The 400 Boyz',
-    faction: 'northside',
-    difficulty: 4,
-    aggression: 90,
-    wealth: 72,
-    territoryCount: 7,
+    id: 'npc-nineside',
+    name: 'Nine Side / N9NE',
+    faction: 'westside',
+    difficulty: 2,
+    aggression: 60,
+    wealth: 35,
+    territoryCount: 2,
     controlledBlocks: [],
     threatening: false,
     lastTickAt: new Date(Date.now() - 900_000).toISOString(),
-    lastAction: 'Raiding a rival block',
-    lastActionType: 'raid',
+    lastAction: 'Tagging N9 on the block',
+    lastActionType: 'patrol',
     members: [
-      makeNPCMember('fb-1', 'Ghost', 'enforcer', 5),
-      makeNPCMember('fb-2', 'Reaper', 'shooter', 5),
-      makeNPCMember('fb-3', 'Ice', 'shooter', 4),
-      makeNPCMember('fb-4', 'Blade', 'enforcer', 4),
-      makeNPCMember('fb-5', 'Smoke', 'dealer', 3),
-      makeNPCMember('fb-6', 'Shadow', 'shooter', 4),
-      makeNPCMember('fb-7', 'Duke', 'dealer', 3),
+      makeNPCMember('n9-1', 'Cloud 9', 'shooter', 2),
+      makeNPCMember('n9-2', 'Nine-Life', 'dealer', 2),
     ],
   },
   {
-    id: 'npc-vipers',
-    name: 'The Vipers',
+    id: 'npc-olasboys',
+    name: 'Olas Boys / OLB',
     faction: 'downtown',
     difficulty: 5,
     aggression: 95,
     wealth: 90,
-    territoryCount: 10,
+    territoryCount: 8,
     controlledBlocks: [],
     threatening: false,
     lastTickAt: new Date(Date.now() - 300_000).toISOString(),
-    lastAction: 'Consolidating power',
-    lastActionType: 'patrol',
+    lastAction: 'Controlling downtown Las Olas',
+    lastActionType: 'raid',
     members: [
-      makeNPCMember('vp-1', 'The Don', 'enforcer', 5),
-      makeNPCMember('vp-2', 'Venom', 'shooter', 5),
-      makeNPCMember('vp-3', 'Fang', 'shooter', 5),
-      makeNPCMember('vp-4', 'Cobra', 'enforcer', 5),
-      makeNPCMember('vp-5', 'Asp', 'dealer', 4),
-      makeNPCMember('vp-6', 'Mamba', 'shooter', 5),
-      makeNPCMember('vp-7', 'Rattler', 'shooter', 4),
-      makeNPCMember('vp-8', 'Adder', 'dealer', 4),
+      makeNPCMember('ol-1', 'Olas King', 'enforcer', 5),
+      makeNPCMember('ol-2', 'Strip Boss', 'shooter', 5),
+      makeNPCMember('ol-3', 'Beach Boy', 'dealer', 4),
     ],
   },
 ];
diff --git a/frontend/src/utils/demoSeed.ts b/frontend/src/utils/demoSeed.ts
index 7bb4571..bc667c1 100644
--- a/frontend/src/utils/demoSeed.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/utils/demoSeed.ts
@@ -215,8 +215,8 @@ export function seedDemoState(): void {
     members: 1,
     viewMode: 'topdown' as const,
     pendingIncome: 0,
-    topdownBgUrl: '/assets/runtime/generated/environments/topdown/block_stripplaza_topdown_v001.webp',
-    streetBackdropUrl: '/assets/runtime/generated/environments/street/block_stripplaza_night_street_v001.webp',
+    topdownBgUrl: '/assets/runtime/generated/environments/topdown/block_lasolas_topdown_v001.png',
+    streetBackdropUrl: '/assets/runtime/generated/environments/street/block_lasolas_driveby_street_v001.png',
   };
 
   blockStore.upsertBlock(demoBlock);