libretro/bios/Game Engines/Ikemen GO/ikemen/external/script/start.lua

local start = {}

--team side specific data storage
start.p = {{}, {}}
--cell data storage
start.c = {}
for i = 1, --[[gameOption('Config.Players')]]8 do
	table.insert(start.c, {selX = 0, selY = 0, cell = -1, randCnt = 0, randRef = nil})
end
--globally accessible temp data
start.challenger = 0
--local variables
local restoreCursor = false
local selScreenEnd = false
local stageEnd = false
local stageRandom = false
local stageListNo = 0
local t_aiRamp = {}
local t_reservedChars = {{}, {}}
local t_portraitPriority = {1, 1}
local timerSelect = 0
local cursorActive = {}
local cursorDone = {}

--;===========================================================
--; COMMON FUNCTIONS
--;===========================================================
-- Returns the unified order table used by the active mode.
-- Priority: order<gameMode>, order<baseMode>, order
function start.f_getOrderChars(baseMode)
	local mode = gameMode() or ''
	local checked = {}
	for _, key in ipairs({mode, baseMode, 'default'}) do
		if key ~= nil and key ~= '' and not checked[key] then
			checked[key] = true
			if type(main.t_orderChars[key]) == 'table' then
				return main.t_orderChars[key]
			end
		end
	end
	return {}
end

--; ROSTER
--converts '.maxmatches' style table (key = order, value = max matches) to key = match number, value = subtable with char num and order data
function start.f_unifySettings(t, t_chars)
	local ret = {}
	for i = 1, #t do --for each order number
		if t_chars[i] ~= nil then --only if there are any characters available with this order
			local infinite = false
			local num = t[i]
			if num == -1 then --infinite matches
				num = #t_chars[i] --assign max amount of characters with this order
				infinite = true
			end
			for j = 1, num do --iterate up to max amount of matches versus characters with this order
				table.insert(ret, {['rmin'] = start.p[2].numChars, ['rmax'] = start.p[2].numChars, ['order'] = i})
			end
			if infinite then
				table.insert(ret, {['rmin'] = start.p[2].numChars, ['rmax'] = start.p[2].numChars, ['order'] = -1})
				break --no point in appending additional matches
			end
		end
	end
	return ret
end

-- start.t_makeRoster is a table storing functions returning table data used
-- by start.f_makeRoster function, depending on game mode. Can be appended via
-- external module, without conflicting with default scripts.
start.t_makeRoster = {}
function start.f_rosterMaxMatches(baseMode)
	local charData = start.f_getCharData(start.p[1].t_selected[1].ref)
	local mode = gameMode() or ''
	local t_chars = start.f_getOrderChars(baseMode)
	local fallback = start.p[2].teamMode == 0 and 'arcade' or 'team'
	local useMode = mode ~= '' and mode ~= 'arcade' and mode ~= 'team'
	local candidates = {}
	local function add(prefix, name)
		if name == nil or name == '' then
			return
 		end
		if prefix ~= nil and prefix ~= '' then
			table.insert(candidates, prefix .. '_' .. name .. 'maxmatches')
		else
			table.insert(candidates, name .. 'maxmatches')
		end
	end
	if charData.maxmatches ~= nil then
		if useMode then
			add(charData.maxmatches, mode)
		end
		if baseMode ~= nil and baseMode ~= mode then
			add(charData.maxmatches, baseMode)
		end
		add(charData.maxmatches, fallback)
	end
	if useMode then
		add(nil, mode)
	end
	if baseMode ~= nil and baseMode ~= mode then
		add(nil, baseMode)
	end
	add(nil, fallback)
	for _, key in ipairs(candidates) do
		if main.t_selOptions[key] ~= nil then
			return start.f_unifySettings(main.t_selOptions[key], t_chars), t_chars
		end
	end
	return start.f_unifySettings(main.t_selOptions[fallback .. 'maxmatches'], t_chars), t_chars
end

start.t_makeRoster.arcade = function()
	return start.f_rosterMaxMatches('arcade')
end
start.t_makeRoster.teamcoop = start.t_makeRoster.arcade
start.t_makeRoster.netplayteamcoop = start.t_makeRoster.arcade
start.t_makeRoster.timeattack = start.t_makeRoster.arcade

start.t_makeRoster.survival = function()
	return start.f_rosterMaxMatches('survival')
end
start.t_makeRoster.survivalcoop = start.t_makeRoster.survival
start.t_makeRoster.netplaysurvivalcoop = start.t_makeRoster.survival

-- generates roster table
function start.f_makeRoster(t_ret)
	t_ret = t_ret or {}
	--prepare correct settings tables
	if start.t_makeRoster[gameMode()] == nil then
		panicError("\n" .. gameMode() .. " game mode unrecognized by start.f_makeRoster()\n")
	end
	local t, t_static = start.t_makeRoster[gameMode()]()
	--generate roster
	local t_removable = main.f_tableCopy(t_static) --copy into editable order table
	for i = 1, #t do --for each match number
		if t[i].order == -1 then --infinite matches for this order detected
			table.insert(t_ret, {-1}) --append infinite matches flag at the end
			break
		end
		if t_removable[t[i].order] ~= nil then
			if #t_removable[t[i].order] == 0 and main.forceRosterSize then
				t_removable = main.f_tableCopy(t_static) --allows character repetition, if needed to fill whole roster
			end
			if #t_removable[t[i].order] >= 1 then --there is at least 1 character with this order available
				local remaining = t[i].rmin - #t_removable[t[i].order]
				table.insert(t_ret, {}) --append roster table with new subtable
				local t_toinsert = {}
				local t_removableTemp = main.f_tableCopy(t_removable)
				for j = 1, math.random(math.min(t[i].rmin, #t_removableTemp[t[i].order]), math.min(t[i].rmax, #t_removableTemp[t[i].order])) do --for randomized characters count
					local rand = math.random(1, #t_removableTemp[t[i].order]) --randomize which character will be taken
					local ref = t_removableTemp[t[i].order][rand]
					if not main.charparam.single or not start.f_getCharData(ref).single then
						table.insert(t_toinsert, ref) --append character if 'single' param is not blocking larger team size
						table.remove(t_removableTemp[t[i].order], rand) --remove it from the t_removableTemp table
					else --otherwise only this character is added to roster
						t_toinsert = {ref}
						remaining = 0
						break
					end
				end
				for _, v in ipairs(t_toinsert) do
					table.insert(t_ret[#t_ret], v) --add such character into roster subtable
					main.f_tableRemove(t_removable[t[i].order], v) --and remove it from the available character pool
				end
				--fill the remaining slots randomly if there are not enough players available with this order
				while remaining > 0 do
					table.insert(t_ret[#t_ret], t_static[t[i].order][math.random(1, #t_static[t[i].order])])
					remaining = remaining - 1
				end
			end
		end
	end
	if gameOption('Debug.DumpLuaTables') then main.f_printTable(t_ret, 'debug/t_roster.txt') end
	return t_ret
end

--;===========================================================
--; AI RAMPING
-- start.t_aiRampData is a table storing functions returning variable data used
-- by start.f_aiRamp function, depending on game mode. Can be appended via
-- external module, without conflicting with default scripts.
start.t_aiRampData = {}
start.t_aiRampData.arcade = function()
	if start.p[2].teamMode == 0 then --Single
		return gameOption('Arcade.arcade.AIramp.start')[1], gameOption('Arcade.arcade.AIramp.start')[2], gameOption('Arcade.arcade.AIramp.end')[1], gameOption('Arcade.arcade.AIramp.end')[2]
	else --Simul / Turns / Tag
		return gameOption('Arcade.team.AIramp.start')[1], gameOption('Arcade.team.AIramp.start')[2], gameOption('Arcade.team.AIramp.end')[1], gameOption('Arcade.team.AIramp.end')[2]
	end
end
start.t_aiRampData.teamcoop = start.t_aiRampData.arcade
start.t_aiRampData.netplayteamcoop = start.t_aiRampData.arcade
start.t_aiRampData.timeattack = start.t_aiRampData.arcade
start.t_aiRampData.survival = function()
	return gameOption('Arcade.survival.AIramp.start')[1], gameOption('Arcade.survival.AIramp.start')[2], gameOption('Arcade.survival.AIramp.end')[1], gameOption('Arcade.survival.AIramp.end')[2]
end
start.t_aiRampData.survivalcoop = start.t_aiRampData.survival
start.t_aiRampData.netplaysurvivalcoop = start.t_aiRampData.survival

-- generates AI ramping table
function start.f_aiRamp(currentMatch)
	if start.t_aiRampData[gameMode()] == nil then
		panicError("\n" .. gameMode() .. " game mode unrecognized by start.f_aiRamp()\n")
	end
	local start_match, start_diff, end_match, end_diff = start.t_aiRampData[gameMode()]()
	local startAI = gameOption('Options.Difficulty') + start_diff
	if startAI > 8 then
		startAI = 8
	elseif startAI < 1 then
		startAI = 1
	end
	local endAI = gameOption('Options.Difficulty') + end_diff
	if endAI > 8 then
		endAI = 8
	elseif endAI < 1 then
		endAI = 1
	end
	if currentMatch == 1 then
		t_aiRamp = {}
	end
	for i = math.min(#t_aiRamp, currentMatch), math.max(#start.t_roster, currentMatch) do
		if i - 1 <= start_match then
			table.insert(t_aiRamp, startAI)
		elseif i - 1 <= end_match then
			local curMatch = i - (start_match + 1)
			table.insert(t_aiRamp, curMatch * (endAI - startAI) / (end_match - start_match) + startAI)
		else
			table.insert(t_aiRamp, endAI)
		end
	end
	if gameOption('Debug.DumpLuaTables') then main.f_printTable(t_aiRamp, 'debug/t_aiRamp.txt') end
end
--;===========================================================

--calculates AI level
function start.f_difficulty(player, offset)
	local t = {}
	if main.f_playerSide(player) == 1 then
		t = start.f_getCharData(start.p[1].t_selected[math.floor(player / 2 + 0.5)].ref)
	else
		t = start.f_getCharData(start.p[2].t_selected[math.floor(player / 2)].ref)
	end
	if t.ai ~= nil then
		return t.ai
	else
		return gameOption('Options.Difficulty') + offset
	end
end

--assigns AI level, remaps input
function start.f_remapAI(ai)
	--Offset
	local offset = 0
	if gameOption('Arcade.AI.Ramping') and main.aiRamp then
		if t_aiRamp[matchNo()] == nil then
			start.f_aiRamp(matchNo())
		end
		offset = t_aiRamp[matchNo()] - gameOption('Options.Difficulty')
	end
	local t_ex = {}
	for side = 1, 2 do
		if main.coop then
			for k, v in ipairs(start.p[side].t_selCmd) do
				if gameMode('versuscoop') then
					remapInput(v.player, v.cmd)
					setCom(v.player, 0)
					t_ex[v.player] = true
				else
					local pn = v.player * 2 - 1
					remapInput(pn, v.cmd)
					setCom(pn, 0)
					t_ex[pn] = true
				end
			end
		end
		if start.p[side].teamMode == 0 or start.p[side].teamMode == 2 then --Single or Turns
			if (not main.cpuSide[side] and not main.coop) or start.challenger > 0 or gameMode('training') then
				setCom(side, 0)
			else
				setCom(side, ai or start.f_difficulty(side, offset))
			end
		elseif start.p[side].teamMode == 1 then --Simul
			if not t_ex[side] then
				if (not main.cpuSide[side] and not main.coop) or start.challenger > 0 then
					setCom(side, 0)
				else
					setCom(side, ai or start.f_difficulty(side, offset))
				end
			end
			for i = side + 2, #start.p[side].t_selected * 2 do
				if not t_ex[i] and (i - 1) % 2 + 1 == side then
					remapInput(i, side) --P3/5/7 => P1 controls, P4/6/8 => P2 controls
					setCom(i, ai or start.f_difficulty(i, offset))
				end
			end
		else --Tag
			for i = side, #start.p[side].t_selected * 2 do
				if not t_ex[i] and (i - 1) % 2 + 1 == side then
					if (not main.cpuSide[side] and not main.coop) or start.challenger > 0 then
						remapInput(i, getRemapInput(side)) --P1/3/5/7 => P1 controls, P2/4/6/8 => P2 controls
						setCom(i, 0)
					else
						setCom(i, ai or start.f_difficulty(i, offset))
					end
				end
			end
		end
	end
end

--sets lifebar elements, round time, rounds to win
function start.f_setRounds(roundTime, t_rounds)
	setMotifElements(main.motif)
	setFightScreenElements(main.fightscreen)
	-- Round time
	local frames = fightScreenVar("time.framespercount")
	local p1FramesMul = 1
	local p2FramesMul = 1
	if start.p[1].teamMode == 3 then -- Tag
		p1FramesMul = start.p[1].numChars
	end
	if start.p[2].teamMode == 3 then -- Tag
		p2FramesMul = start.p[2].numChars
	end
	if (start.p[1].teamMode == 3 or start.p[2].teamMode == 3) and gameOption('Options.Tag.TimeScaling') > 0 then
		-- Calculate the maximum team size
		local maxTeamSize = math.max(p1FramesMul, p2FramesMul)
		-- Apply a base multiplier for team size
		local adjustedFrames = frames * (1 + (maxTeamSize - 1) * gameOption('Options.Tag.TimeScaling'))
		-- Enforce a minimum threshold to avoid overly short rounds
		frames = main.f_round(math.max(adjustedFrames, frames), 0)
	end
	setTimeFramesPerCount(frames)
	if roundTime ~= nil then
		setRoundTime(math.max(-1, roundTime * frames)) --round time predefined
	elseif main.charparam.time and start.f_getCharData(start.p[2].t_selected[1].ref).time ~= nil then --round time assigned as character param
		setRoundTime(math.max(-1, start.f_getCharData(start.p[2].t_selected[1].ref).time * frames))
	else --default round time
		setRoundTime(math.max(-1, main.roundTime * frames))
	end
	--Rounds to win. Determined by enemy team mode
	for side = 1, 2 do
		local enemy = 3 - side
		if start.p[enemy].teamMode == 2 then --Turns mode always uses team size
			setMatchWins(side, start.p[enemy].numChars)
		elseif t_rounds[side] ~= nil then --Use override if it exists
			setMatchWins(side, t_rounds[side])
		elseif enemy == 2 and main.charparam.rounds and start.f_getCharData(start.p[2].t_selected[1].ref).rounds ~= nil then --round num assigned as character param
			setMatchWins(side, start.f_getCharData(start.p[2].t_selected[1].ref).rounds)
		elseif start.p[enemy].teamMode == 1 then --default rounds num (Simul)
			setMatchWins(side, main.matchWins.simul[enemy])
		elseif start.p[enemy].teamMode == 3 then --default rounds num (Tag)
			setMatchWins(side, main.matchWins.tag[enemy])
		else --default rounds num (Single)
			setMatchWins(side, main.matchWins.single[enemy])
		end
		setMatchMaxDrawGames(side, main.matchWins.draw[side])
	end
	--timer / score counter
	local timer, t_score = start.f_prefightHUD()
	setFightScreenTimer(timer)
	setFightScreenScore(t_score[1], t_score[2])
end

local function f_listCharRefs(t)
	local ret = {}
	for i = 1, #t do
		table.insert(ret, start.f_getCharData(t[i].ref).char:lower())
	end
	return ret
end

--;===========================================================
-- Accumulators derived from game stats
--;===========================================================
-- Fold matches up to 'upto' (inclusive)
function start.f_accStats(upto)
	local ret = {
		win = {0,0}, lose = {0,0},
		time = { total = 0, matches = {} },
		score = { total = {0,0}, matches = {} },
		consecutive = {0,0},
	}
	local gameStats = getGameStats()
	local matches = (gameStats and gameStats.Matches) or {}
	local n = math.min(upto or #matches, #matches)
	local streak = {0,0}
	for i = 1, n do
		local m = matches[i] or {}
		ret.time.total = ret.time.total + (m.MatchTime or 0)
		if m.TotalScore then
			ret.score.total[1] = m.TotalScore[1] or ret.score.total[1]
			ret.score.total[2] = m.TotalScore[2] or ret.score.total[2]
		end
		local tr, sr = {}, {}
		if m.Rounds then
			for j, r in ipairs(m.Rounds) do
				tr[j] = r.Timer or 0
				sr[j] = { [1] = (r.Score and r.Score[1]) or 0, [2] = (r.Score and r.Score[2]) or 0 }
			end
		end
		table.insert(ret.time.matches, tr)
		table.insert(ret.score.matches, sr)
		if m.WinSide == 1 then
			ret.win[1] = ret.win[1] + 1; ret.lose[2] = ret.lose[2] + 1
			streak[1] = streak[1] + 1; streak[2] = 0
		elseif m.WinSide == 2 then
			ret.win[2] = ret.win[2] + 1; ret.lose[1] = ret.lose[1] + 1
			streak[2] = streak[2] + 1; streak[1] = 0
		end
		for s = 1, 2 do
			if streak[s] > ret.consecutive[s] then ret.consecutive[s] = streak[s] end
		end
	end
	return ret
end

-- Compute HUD timer/score to show at the beginning of the *next* match
function start.f_prefightHUD()
	-- "Next match index" is current matchNo(); we want totals of already-finished matches.
	local prev = math.max((matchNo() or 1) - 1, 0)
	local acc = start.f_accStats(prev)
	local t_score = {acc.score.total[1], acc.score.total[2]}
	local timer = acc.time.total
	if start.challenger > 0 and gameMode('versus') then
		return 0, {0, 0}
	end
	-- emulate resetScore-on-loss behavior for the next match HUD
	local gameStats = getGameStats()
	local last = (gameStats and gameStats.Matches and gameStats.Matches[prev]) or nil
	if last and main.resetScore and matchNo() ~= -1 then
		if last.WinSide == 2 then
			t_score[1] = acc.lose[1]
		end
	end
	return timer, t_score
end

--;===========================================================

--returns the next stage path from the given pool
function start.stageShuffleBag(id, pool)
	-- safety check: prevent nil or invalid pools
	if not pool or type(pool) ~= 'table' or #pool == 0 then
		return nil
	end

	-- safety check: prevent nil id
	id = id or 'defaultStageBag'
	start.shuffleStages = start.shuffleStages or {}
	start.shuffleStages[id] = start.shuffleStages[id] or {}

	if #start.shuffleStages[id] == 0 then
		local t = {}
		for i = 1, #pool do
			table.insert(t, i)
		end
		start.f_shuffleTable(t)
		-- prevent immediate repetition if the bag was just refilled
		if start.lastStageIdx and #pool > 1 and t[#t] == start.lastStageIdx then
			table.insert(t, 1, table.remove(t)) -- rotate
		end
		start.shuffleStages[id] = t
	end

	local idx = table.remove(start.shuffleStages[id])
	start.lastStageIdx = idx
	-- Pool entries are already resolved stage refs
	return pool[idx]
end

--sets stage
function start.f_setStage(num, assigned)
	if main.stageMenu then
		local pool = main.t_selectableStages
		if stageListNo == 0 then
			num = start.stageShuffleBag('stageMenu', pool)
			stageListNo = num -- comment out to randomize stage after each fight in survival mode, when random stage is chosen
			stageRandom = true
		else
			num = pool[stageListNo]
		end
		assigned = true
	end
	if not assigned then
		local sel = start.p[2] and start.p[2].t_selected and start.p[2].t_selected[1]
		local charData = sel and sel.ref and start.f_getCharData(sel.ref)
		if charData and charData.stage and #charData.stage > 0 and not (gameMode('training') and gameOption('Config.TrainingStage')) then --stage assigned as character param
			num = start.stageShuffleBag('char:' .. sel.ref, charData.stage)
		elseif charData and main.stageOrder and main.t_orderStages[charData.order] then --stage assigned as stage order param
			num = start.stageShuffleBag(charData.order, main.t_orderStages[charData.order])
		elseif gameMode('training') and gameOption('Config.TrainingStage') ~= '' then --training stage
			num = start.f_getStageRef(gameOption('Config.TrainingStage'))
		else
			num = start.stageShuffleBag('includeStage', main.t_includeStage[1])
		end
	end
	selectStage(num)
	main.f_preloadBoostStage(num)
	return num
end

-- generate table with palette entries already used by this char ref
function start.f_setAssignedPal(ref, t_assignedPals)
	for side = 1, 2 do
		for k, v in pairs(start.p[side].t_selected) do
			if v.ref == ref then
				t_assignedPals[start.p[side].t_selected[k].pal] = true
			end
		end
	end
end

--remaps palette based on button press and character's keymap settings
function start.f_keyPalMap(ref, num)
	return start.f_getCharData(ref).pal_keymap[num] or num
end

-- returns palette number
function start.f_selectPal(ref, palno)
	-- generate table with palette entries already used by this char ref
	local t_assignedPals = {}
	start.f_setAssignedPal(ref, t_assignedPals)

	local charData = start.f_getCharData(ref)
	local availablePals = charData.pal

	-- selected palette by player input
	if palno ~= nil and palno > 0 then
		local mappedPal = start.f_keyPalMap(ref, palno)

		-- Check if the mapped palette is defined and not already used. (MUGEN doesn't do this)
		-- This leads to issues with certain characters who don't have the entire group 1's indices
		-- filled out, so it's been commented out for compatibility.

		-- local isDefined = false
		-- for _, p in ipairs(availablePals) do
		--     if p == mappedPal then
		--         isDefined = true
		--         break
		--     end
		-- end

		if not t_assignedPals[mappedPal] then
			return mappedPal
		end

		-- If the desired palette is not available, find the next available one.

		-- 1. Dynamically build the list of palettes to cycle through
		local cycleList = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}
		local customDefaults = false

		if charData.pal_defaults then
			local defaultsSet = {}
			for _, p_val in ipairs(charData.pal_defaults) do
				if p_val > 6 then
					-- To avoid duplicates in cycleList
					if not defaultsSet[p_val] then
						table.insert(cycleList, p_val)
						defaultsSet[p_val] = true
						customDefaults = true
					end
				end
			end
			if customDefaults then
				table.sort(cycleList) -- Ensure a consistent cycle order
			end
		end

		-- Exception: If a palette from 7 to 12 was chosen directly, cycle through all 12
		if mappedPal > 6 and not customDefaults then
			cycleList = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12}
		end

		-- 2. Find the starting index for our search in the cycleList
		local startIndex = 1
		for i, p_val in ipairs(cycleList) do
			if p_val == mappedPal then
				startIndex = i
				break
			end
		end

		-- 3. Search for the next available palette in a circular manner
		for i = 1, #cycleList do
			-- Get the index for the next palette in the cycle
			local nextIndex = (startIndex - 1 + i) % #cycleList + 1
			local nextPal = cycleList[nextIndex]

			-- Check if this next palette is defined for the character
			local isNextDefined = false
			for _, p in ipairs(availablePals) do
				if p == nextPal then
					isNextDefined = true
					break
				end
			end

			-- If it's defined and not used, assign it.
			if isNextDefined and not t_assignedPals[nextPal] then
				return nextPal
			end
		end

		-- If all palettes in the cycle list are taken, return the originally mapped one as a fallback.
		return mappedPal

	-- default palette for AI or no-input selection
	elseif (not main.rotationChars and not gameOption('Arcade.AI.RandomColor')) or (main.rotationChars and not gameOption('Arcade.AI.SurvivalColor')) then
		for _, v in ipairs(charData.pal_defaults) do
			if not t_assignedPals[v] then
				return v
			end
		end
	end

	-- random palette
	local t = main.f_tableCopy(availablePals)
	if #t_assignedPals >= #t then -- not enough palettes for unique selection
		if #t > 0 then
			return t[math.random(1, #t)]
		else
			return 1
		end
	end
	main.f_tableShuffle(t)
	for _, v in ipairs(t) do
		if not t_assignedPals[v] then
			return v
		end
	end
	panicError("\n" .. charData.name .. " palette was not selected\n")
end

--returns player number
function start.f_getPlayerNo(side, member)
	if main.coop and not gameMode('versuscoop') then
		return side + member - 1
	end
	if side == 1 then
		return member * 2 - 1
	end
	return member * 2
end

--Convert number to name and get rid of the ""
function start.f_getName(ref, side)
	if ref == nil or start.f_getCharData(ref).hidden == 2 then
		return ''
	end
	if start.f_getCharData(ref).char == 'randomselect' or start.f_getCharData(ref).hidden == 3 then
		return motif.select_info['p' .. (side or 1)].name.random.text
	end
	return start.f_getCharData(ref).name
end

-- Resolve per-member motif tables (p3/p4/..), fallback to p1/p2 when undefined.
local function f_getMotifP(t, pn, side)
	if type(t) ~= "table" then return nil end
	local p = t["p" .. pn]
	if p ~= nil then return p end
	return t["p" .. side]
end

--reset temp data values
function start.f_resetTempData(t, subname)
	-- reset AnimData
	local seenTables = {}
	local seenAnim   = {}
	local function walk(t)
		if type(t) ~= "table" or seenTables[t] then return end
		seenTables[t] = true
		for k, v in pairs(t) do
			if k == "AnimData" and type(v) == "userdata" then
				if not seenAnim[v] then
					animReset(v)
					animUpdate(v)
					seenAnim[v] = true
				end
			elseif type(v) == "table" then
				walk(v)
			end
		end
	end
	walk(t)
	-- generate t_selTemp
	for side = 1, 2 do
		if #start.p[side].t_selTemp == 0 then
			for member, v in ipairs(start.p[side].t_selected) do
				table.insert(start.p[side].t_selTemp, {ref = v.ref})
			end
		end
		for member, v in ipairs(start.p[side].t_selTemp) do
			local pn = 2 * (member - 1) + side
			local pCfg = f_getMotifP(t, pn, side)
			if subname == '' then
				v.face_anim = pCfg.anim
				v.face_data = start.f_animGet(v.ref, side, member, pCfg, nil, true)
			else
				v.face_anim = pCfg[subname].anim
				v.face_data = start.f_animGet(v.ref, side, member, pCfg[subname], nil, true)
			end
			v.face2_anim = pCfg.face2.anim
			v.face2_data = start.f_animGet(v.ref, side, member, pCfg.face2, nil, true)
		end
		start.p[side].screenDelay = 0
	end
end

function start.f_animGet(ref, side, member, params, velParams, loop, srcAnim)
	if not ref then return nil end
	local velParams = velParams or params
	local pn = 2 * (member - 1) + side
	-- Animation/sprite priority order
	for _, v in ipairs({{params.anim, -1}, params.spr}) do
		local anim = v[1]
		if anim ~= nil and anim ~= -1 then
			-- Determine whether to apply palette
			local usePal = params.applypal or false
			-- Try to load the animation
			local a = animGetPreloadedCharData(ref, anim, v[2], loop)
			if a then
				local charData = start.f_getCharData(ref)
				local xscale = start.f_getCharData(ref).portraitscale * motif.info.localcoord[1] / start.f_getCharData(ref).localcoord
				local yscale = xscale
				if v[2] == -1 then
					xscale = xscale * (charData.cns_scale[1] or 1)
					yscale = yscale * (charData.cns_scale[2] or 1)
				end
				animSetLocalcoord(a, motif.info.localcoord[1], motif.info.localcoord[2])
				animSetLayerno(a, params.layerno)
				animSetVelocity(a, velParams.velocity[1], velParams.velocity[2])
				animSetMaxDist(a, velParams.maxdist[1], velParams.maxdist[2])
				animSetAccel(a, velParams.accel[1], velParams.accel[2])
				animSetFriction(a, velParams.friction[1], velParams.friction[2])
				animSetPos(a, 0, 0)
				animSetScale(a, params.scale[1] * xscale, params.scale[2] * yscale)
				animSetFacing(a, params.facing)
				animSetXShear(a, params.xshear)
				animSetAngle(a, params.angle)
				animSetXAngle(a, params.xangle)
				animSetYAngle(a, params.yangle)
				animSetProjection(a, params.projection)
				animSetFocalLength(a, params.focallength)
				animSetWindow(a, params.window[1], params.window[2], params.window[3], params.window[4])
				if srcAnim ~= nil then
					animApplyVel(a, srcAnim)
				end
				-- Apply palette if needed
				if usePal then
					local sel = start.p[side].t_selected[member]
					if sel and sel.ref then
						a = start.loadPalettes(a, ref, sel.pal)
					end
				end
				animUpdate(a)
				return a
			end
		end
	end
	return nil
end

--calculate portraits x pos
local function f_portraitsXCalc(side, member, paramsSide, params, skipOffset, offsetKey)
	local x = paramsSide.pos[1]
	if not skipOffset then
		x = x + params.offset[1]
	end
	if paramsSide.padding then
		return x + (2 * member - 1) * paramsSide.spacing[1] * paramsSide.num / (2 * math.min(paramsSide.num, math.max(start.p[side].numChars, #start.p[side].t_selected)))
	end
	if offsetKey and not motifIsInherited(offsetKey) then
		return x
	end
	return x + (member - 1) * paramsSide.spacing[1]
end

local function getParams(side, member, t, subname)
	local paramsSide = t['p' .. side]
	local pn = 2 * (member - 1) + side
	local params = f_getMotifP(t, pn, side)
	if subname and subname ~= '' then
		paramsSide = paramsSide[subname]
		params = params[subname]
	end
	return paramsSide, params
end

local function drawPortraitRandom(randomCfg, side, member, paramsSide, offsetKey)
	if not randomCfg then
		return false
	end
	local spr = randomCfg.spr
	if randomCfg.anim >= 0 or (spr and spr[1] >= 0 and spr[2] >= 0) then
		local x = f_portraitsXCalc(side, member, paramsSide, randomCfg, false, offsetKey)
		local y = paramsSide.pos[2] + randomCfg.offset[2] + (member - 1) * paramsSide.spacing[2]
		animSetPos(randomCfg.AnimData, x, y)
		animDraw(randomCfg.AnimData)
		animUpdate(randomCfg.AnimData)
		return true
	end
	return false
end

local function drawPortraitSlot(slotCfg, side, member, paramsSide, offsetKey)
	if not slotCfg then
		return false
	end
	local spr = slotCfg.spr
	if slotCfg.anim >= 0 or (spr and spr[1] >= 0 and spr[2] >= 0) then
		local x = f_portraitsXCalc(side, member, paramsSide, slotCfg, false, offsetKey)
		local y = paramsSide.pos[2] + slotCfg.offset[2] + (member - 1) * paramsSide.spacing[2]
		animSetPos(slotCfg.AnimData, x, y)
		animDraw(slotCfg.AnimData)
		animUpdate(slotCfg.AnimData)
		return true
	end
	return false
end

local function hasPortraitAnim(params)
	return params ~= nil and params.AnimData ~= nil and ((params.anim or -1) ~= -1 or (params.spr ~= nil and params.spr[1] ~= -1))
end

local function getPortraitDrawData(v, side, member, params, dataField)
	local data = v[dataField]
	local drawParams = params
	if not v.skipCurrent and data ~= nil then
		local state = v.ref ~= nil and getCharPreloadStatus(v.ref) or 'ready'
		if state ~= 'ready' and hasPortraitAnim(params.loading) then
			data = params.loading.AnimData
			drawParams = params.loading
		end
	elseif not v.skipCurrent and v.ref ~= nil then
		local state = getCharPreloadStatus(v.ref)
		if state == 'ready' then
			data = start.f_animGet(v.ref, side, member, params, nil, true)
			v[dataField] = data
		elseif hasPortraitAnim(params.loading) then
			data = params.loading.AnimData
			drawParams = params.loading
		end
	end
	return data, drawParams, drawParams == params.loading
end

local function drawPortraitLayer(t_portraits, side, t, subname, last, dataField)
	local lastIdx = #t_portraits
	local skipField = dataField == 'face2_data' and 'skipCurrentFace2' or 'skipCurrentFace'
	-- "next player replaces previous one" case
	local idx = clamp(t_portraitPriority[side] or 1, 1, lastIdx)
	local paramsSide, params = getParams(side, idx, t, subname)
	local pn = 2 * (1 - 1) + side
	local offsetKey = 'select_info.p' .. pn .. '.face.offset'
	if paramsSide.num == 1 and last then
		local v = t_portraits[idx]
		local data, drawParams, skipOffset = getPortraitDrawData(v, side, idx, params, dataField)
		if not v[skipField] and data ~= nil then
			main.f_animPosDraw(
				data,
				f_portraitsXCalc(side, 1, paramsSide, drawParams, skipOffset, offsetKey),
				paramsSide.pos[2] + (skipOffset and 0 or drawParams.offset[2])
			)
		end
		-- we're done for this layer in this mode
		return
	end
	-- stacked portraits up to num
	local order = {}
	for member = 1, lastIdx do
		local paramsSide, params = getParams(side, member, t, subname)
		order[#order + 1] = {m = member, o = params.draworder}
	end
	table.sort(order, function(a, b)
		if a.o == b.o then
			return a.m > b.m
		end
		return a.o < b.o
	end)
	for _, it in ipairs(order) do
		local member = it.m
		local paramsSide, params = getParams(side, member, t, subname)
		local v = t_portraits[member]
		local pn = 2 * (member - 1) + side
		local offsetKey = 'select_info.p' .. pn .. '.face.offset'
		local data, drawParams, skipOffset = getPortraitDrawData(v, side, member, params, dataField)
		if member <= paramsSide.num and not v[skipField] and data ~= nil then
			main.f_animPosDraw(
				data,
				f_portraitsXCalc(side, member, paramsSide, drawParams, skipOffset, offsetKey),
				paramsSide.pos[2] + (skipOffset and 0 or drawParams.offset[2]) + (member - 1) * paramsSide.spacing[2]
			)
		end
	end
end

-- draw portraits
function start.f_drawPortraits(t_portraits, side, t, subname, last, iconDone)
	if #t_portraits == 0 then
		return
	end
	-- reset skip flags
	for m = 1, #t_portraits do
		t_portraits[m].skipCurrentFace = false
		t_portraits[m].skipCurrentFace2 = false
	end
	-- draw random portraits (per member; required for co-op)
	for m = 1, #t_portraits do
		local paramsSide, params = getParams(side, m, t, subname)
		if t_portraits[m].inRandom then
			local pn = 2 * (m - 1) + side
			local pData = f_getMotifP(t, pn, side)
			-- face2 layer random portrait
			if pData.face2.random and drawPortraitRandom(pData.face2.random, side, m, paramsSide, 'select_info.p' .. pn .. '.face2.random.offset') then
				t_portraits[m].skipCurrentFace2 = true
			end
			-- primary face random portrait
			local baseFace = pData
			if subname and subname ~= '' then
				baseFace = baseFace[subname]
			end
			if baseFace.random and drawPortraitRandom(baseFace.random, side, m, paramsSide, 'select_info.p' .. pn .. '.face.random.offset') then
				t_portraits[m].skipCurrentFace = true
			end
		end
	end
	-- draw slot indicator
	for m = 1, #t_portraits do
		local pn = 2 * (m - 1) + side
		local pData = f_getMotifP(t, pn, side)

		local baseFace = pData
		if subname and subname ~= '' then
			baseFace = baseFace[subname]
		end
		-- only show slot indicator while the char is not confirmed
		if t_portraits[m].ref ~= nil and not start.p[side].t_selTemp[m].slotConfirmed then
			local paramsSide, params = getParams(side, m, t, subname)
			local charInfo = main.t_selChars[t_portraits[m].ref + 1]
			if charInfo and charInfo.hasSlot then
				-- face2 slot
				if pData.face2.slot then
					drawPortraitSlot(pData.face2.slot, side, m, paramsSide, 'select_info.p' .. pn .. '.face2.slot.offset')
				end
				-- primary face slot
				if baseFace.slot then
					drawPortraitSlot(baseFace.slot, side, m, paramsSide, 'select_info.p' .. pn .. '.face.slot.offset')
				end
			end
		end
	end
	-- face2 layer (if present)
	drawPortraitLayer(t_portraits, side, t, 'face2', last, 'face2_data')
	-- primary face layer
	drawPortraitLayer(t_portraits, side, t, subname, last, 'face_data')
	-- draw order icons (unchanged, still using main face params)
	if iconDone == nil then
		return
	end
	for member = 1, #t_portraits do
		local paramsSide, params = getParams(side, member, t, subname)
		if member > paramsSide.num then
			break
		end
		local animData = params.icon.AnimData
		if iconDone then
			animData = params.icon.done.AnimData
		end
		main.f_animPosDraw(
			animData,
			f_portraitsXCalc(side, member, paramsSide, params),
			paramsSide.pos[2] + params.offset[2] + (member - 1) * paramsSide.spacing[2]
		)
	end
end

--returns correct cell position after moving the cursor
function start.f_cellMovement(selX, selY, cmd, side, snd, dir)
	local tmpX = selX
	local tmpY = selY
	local found = false
	if getInput(cmd, motif.select_info.cell.up.key) or dir == 'U' then
		for i = 1, motif.select_info.rows do
			selY = selY - 1
			if selY < 0 then
				if motif.select_info.wrapping or dir ~= nil then
					selY = motif.select_info.rows - 1
				else
					selY = tmpY
				end
			end
			if dir ~= nil then
				found, selX = start.f_searchEmptyBoxes(selX, selY, side, -1)
			elseif (start.t_grid[selY + 1][selX + 1].char ~= nil or motif.select_info.moveoveremptyboxes) and start.t_grid[selY + 1][selX + 1].skip ~= 1 and (gameOption('Options.Team.Duplicates') or start.t_grid[selY + 1][selX + 1].char == 'randomselect' or not t_reservedChars[side][start.t_grid[selY + 1][selX + 1].char_ref]) and start.t_grid[selY + 1][selX + 1].hidden ~= 2 then
				break
			elseif motif.select_info.searchemptyboxesup then
				found, selX = start.f_searchEmptyBoxes(selX, selY, side, 1)
			end
			if found then
				break
			end
		end
	elseif getInput(cmd, motif.select_info.cell.down.key) or dir == 'D' then
		for i = 1, motif.select_info.rows do
			selY = selY + 1
			if selY >= motif.select_info.rows then
				if motif.select_info.wrapping or dir ~= nil then
					selY = 0
				else
					selY = tmpY
				end
			end
			if dir ~= nil then
				found, selX = start.f_searchEmptyBoxes(selX, selY, side, 1)
			elseif (start.t_grid[selY + 1][selX + 1].char ~= nil or motif.select_info.moveoveremptyboxes) and start.t_grid[selY + 1][selX + 1].skip ~= 1 and (gameOption('Options.Team.Duplicates') or start.t_grid[selY + 1][selX + 1].char == 'randomselect' or not t_reservedChars[side][start.t_grid[selY + 1][selX + 1].char_ref]) and start.t_grid[selY + 1][selX + 1].hidden ~= 2 then
				break
			elseif motif.select_info.searchemptyboxesdown then
				found, selX = start.f_searchEmptyBoxes(selX, selY, side, 1)
			end
			if found then
				break
			end
		end
	elseif getInput(cmd, motif.select_info.cell.left.key) or dir == 'B' then
		if dir ~= nil then
			found, selX = start.f_searchEmptyBoxes(selX, selY, side, -1)
		else
			for i = 1, motif.select_info.columns do
				selX = selX - 1
				if selX < 0 then
					if motif.select_info.wrapping then
						selX = motif.select_info.columns - 1
					else
						selX = tmpX
					end
				end
				if (start.t_grid[selY + 1][selX + 1].char ~= nil or motif.select_info.moveoveremptyboxes) and start.t_grid[selY + 1][selX + 1].skip ~= 1 and (gameOption('Options.Team.Duplicates') or start.t_grid[selY + 1][selX + 1].char == 'randomselect' or not t_reservedChars[side][start.t_grid[selY + 1][selX + 1].char_ref]) and start.t_grid[selY + 1][selX + 1].hidden ~= 2 then
					break
				end
			end
		end
	elseif getInput(cmd, motif.select_info.cell.right.key) or dir == 'F' then
		if dir ~= nil then
			found, selX = start.f_searchEmptyBoxes(selX, selY, side, 1)
		else
			for i = 1, motif.select_info.columns do
				selX = selX + 1
				if selX >= motif.select_info.columns then
					if motif.select_info.wrapping then
						selX = 0
					else
						selX = tmpX
					end
				end
				if (start.t_grid[selY + 1][selX + 1].char ~= nil or motif.select_info.moveoveremptyboxes) and start.t_grid[selY + 1][selX + 1].skip ~= 1 and (gameOption('Options.Team.Duplicates') or start.t_grid[selY + 1][selX + 1].char == 'randomselect' or not t_reservedChars[side][start.t_grid[selY + 1][selX + 1].char_ref]) and start.t_grid[selY + 1][selX + 1].hidden ~= 2 then
					break
				end
			end
		end
	end
	if (tmpX ~= selX or tmpY ~= selY) then
		if dir == nil then
			sndPlay(motif.Snd, snd[1], snd[2])
		end
	end
	return selX, selY
end

--used by above function to find valid cell in case of dummy character entries
function start.f_searchEmptyBoxes(x, y, side, direction)
	if direction > 0 then --right
		while true do
			x = x + 1
			if x >= motif.select_info.columns then
				return false, 0
			elseif start.t_grid[y + 1][x + 1].skip ~= 1 and start.t_grid[y + 1][x + 1].char ~= nil and (start.t_grid[y + 1][x + 1].char == 'randomselect' or not t_reservedChars[side][start.t_grid[y + 1][x + 1].char_ref]) and start.t_grid[y + 1][x + 1].hidden ~= 2 then
				return true, x
			end
		end
	elseif direction < 0 then --left
		while true do
			x = x - 1
			if x < 0 then
				return false, motif.select_info.columns - 1
			elseif start.t_grid[y + 1][x + 1].skip ~= 1 and start.t_grid[y + 1][x + 1].char ~= nil and (start.t_grid[y + 1][x + 1].char == 'randomselect' or not t_reservedChars[side][start.t_grid[y + 1][x + 1].char_ref]) and start.t_grid[y + 1][x + 1].hidden ~= 2 then
				return true, x
			end
		end
	end
end

-- Returns player cursor data
function start.f_getCursorData(pn)
	-- In coop/multi, p3+ may be undefined in motif; fallback to p1/p2 by parity.
	if main.coop then
		return motif.select_info['p' .. pn] or motif.select_info['p' .. ((pn - 1) % 2 + 1)]
	end
	return motif.select_info['p' .. ((pn - 1) % 2 + 1)]
end

-- Returns the '<col>-<row>' entry matching the cell, falling back to wildcards
-- Nil coordinates match nothing, which is how cell transformations are skipped
local function getOverride(t, col, row)
	if t == nil or col == nil or row == nil then
		return nil
	end
	return t[col .. '-' .. row] or t[col .. '-*'] or t['*-' .. row] or t['*-*']
end

-- Reset cursor animation for a specific slot only
local function resetCursorData(pn, param)
	local pData = start.f_getCursorData(pn)
	local cursorCfg = pData.cursor[param]
	local cursorParams = getOverride(cursorCfg, start.c[pn].selX, start.c[pn].selY) or cursorCfg.default
	local anim = cursorParams.AnimData
	if anim then
		animReset(anim)
		animUpdate(anim)
	end
end

-- Calculate cursor.tween
local function cursorTween(val, target, factor)
	if not factor or not target then
		return val
	end
	for i = 1, 2 do
		local t = target[i] or 0
		local f = math.min(math.abs(factor[i] or 0.5), 1)
		val[i] = val[i] + (t - val[i]) * f
	end
	return val
end

local function getCellOverride(col, row)
	return getOverride(motif.select_info.cell, col, row)
end

function getCellFacing(default, col, row)
	local override = getCellOverride(col, row)
	if override ~= nil and override.facing ~= 0 then
		return override.facing
	end
	return default
end

function getCellOffset(col, row)
	local override = getCellOverride(col, row)
	if override ~= nil and override.offset ~= nil then
		return override.offset
	end
	return {0, 0}
end

function getCellSpacing(col, row)
	local override = getCellOverride(col, row)
	if override ~= nil and override.spacing ~= nil then
		if override.spacing[1] ~= 0 then
			if override.spacing[2] == 0 then
				return {override.spacing[1], override.spacing[1]}
			end
			return override.spacing
		end
		if override.spacing[2] ~= 0 then
			return override.spacing
		end
	end
	return motif.select_info.cell.spacing
end

function getCellSkip(col, row)
	local override = getCellOverride(col, row)
	if override ~= nil then
		return override.skip
	end
	return false
end

function getCellTransform(col, row, paramName, default)
	local override = getCellOverride(col, row)
	if override ~= nil then
		local val = override[paramName]
		-- Table Validation
		if type(val) == "table" then
			if paramName == "scale" then
				if val[1] ~= 0 or val[2] ~= 0 then return val end
			else
				return val
			end
		elseif type(val) == "string" then
			if val ~= "" then 
				return val 
			end
		elseif type(val) == "number" then
			if val ~= 0 then 
				return val 
			end
		end
	end
	return default
end

--draw cursor
function start.f_drawCursor(pn, x, y, param, done)
	local pData = start.f_getCursorData(pn)
	-- select appropriate cursor table and initialize if needed
	local store = done and cursorDone or cursorActive
	store[pn] = store[pn] or {}
	local cd = store[pn]
	cd.currentPos  = cd.currentPos  or {0, 0}
	cd.targetPos   = cd.targetPos   or {0, 0}
	cd.startPos    = cd.startPos    or {0, 0}
	cd.slideOffset = cd.slideOffset or {0, 0}
	cd.init        = cd.init or false
	if not done then
		cd.snap = cd.snap or false -- only used by active cursors
	end
	-- calculate target cell coordinates using the pre-calculated grid
	local cellData = start.t_grid[y + 1] and start.t_grid[y + 1][x + 1]
	local baseX, baseY
	if cellData then
		-- cellData already includes all spacing and offsets
		baseX = motif.select_info.pos[1] + cellData.x
		baseY = motif.select_info.pos[2] + cellData.y
	end
	-- initialization or snap: set cursor directly
	if not cd.init or done or cd.snap then
		for i = 1, 2 do
			cd.currentPos[i] = (i == 1) and baseX or baseY
			cd.targetPos[i]  = cd.currentPos[i]
			cd.startPos[i]   = cd.currentPos[i]
			cd.slideOffset[i]= 0
		end
		cd.init, cd.snap = true, false
	-- new cell selected: recalc tween offsets
	elseif cd.targetPos[1] ~= baseX or cd.targetPos[2] ~= baseY then
		cd.startPos[1], cd.startPos[2] = cd.currentPos[1], cd.currentPos[2]
		cd.targetPos[1], cd.targetPos[2] = baseX, baseY
		cd.slideOffset[1] = cd.startPos[1] - baseX
		cd.slideOffset[2] = cd.startPos[2] - baseY
	end
	local t_factor = {
		pData.cursor.tween.factor[1],
		pData.cursor.tween.factor[2]
	}
	-- apply tween if enabled, otherwise snap to target
	if not done and t_factor[1] > 0 and t_factor[2] > 0 then
		cursorTween(cd.slideOffset, {0, 0}, t_factor)
	else
		cd.slideOffset[1], cd.slideOffset[2] = 0, 0
	end
	if pData.cursor.tween.wrap.snap then
		local dx = cd.targetPos[1] - cd.startPos[1]
		local dy = cd.targetPos[2] - cd.startPos[2]
		if math.abs(dx) > motif.select_info.cell.size[1] * (motif.select_info.columns - 1) or math.abs(dy) > motif.select_info.cell.size[2] * (motif.select_info.rows - 1) then
		cd.slideOffset[1], cd.slideOffset[2] = 0, 0	
		end
	end
	-- update final cursor position
	cd.currentPos[1] = cd.targetPos[1] + cd.slideOffset[1]
	cd.currentPos[2] = cd.targetPos[2] + cd.slideOffset[2]
	-- draw
	-- per cell cursor variant fully defines the cursor on its cell, so cell transformations apply to cursors that have no variant there
	local variant = getOverride(pData.cursor[param], x, y)
	local params = variant or pData.cursor[param].default
	local cx, cy
	if variant == nil then
		cx, cy = x, y
	end
	local a = params.AnimData
	local facing = getCellFacing(params.facing, cx, cy)
	animSetFacing(a, facing)
	local scale = getCellTransform(cx, cy, "scale", params.scale)
	animSetScale(a, scale[1], scale[2])
	animSetXShear(a, getCellTransform(cx, cy, "xshear", params.xshear))
	animSetAngle(a, getCellTransform(cx, cy, "angle", params.angle))
	animSetXAngle(a, getCellTransform(cx, cy, "xangle", params.xangle))
	animSetYAngle(a, getCellTransform(cx, cy, "yangle", params.yangle))
	animSetProjection(a, getCellTransform(cx, cy, "projection", params.projection))
	animSetFocalLength(a, getCellTransform(cx, cy, "focallength", params.focallength))
	main.f_animPosDraw(a, cd.currentPos[1], cd.currentPos[2], facing)
end

-- snaps the cursor instantly to its target cell
local function f_snapCursor()
	for k, v in pairs(cursorActive) do
		v.snap = true
	end
end

--returns t_selChars table out of cell number
function start.f_selGrid(cell, slot)
	if main.t_selGrid[cell] == nil or #main.t_selGrid[cell].chars == 0 then
		local csCol = ((cell - 1) % motif.select_info.columns) + 1
		local csRow = math.floor((cell - 1) / motif.select_info.columns) + 1
		local cellCfg = motif.select_info.cell[(csCol - 1) .. '-' .. (csRow - 1)]
		if cellCfg ~= nil and cellCfg.skip then
			return {skip = 1}
		end
		return {}
	end
	return main.t_selChars[main.t_selGrid[cell].chars[(slot or main.t_selGrid[cell].slot)]]
end

--returns t_selChars table out of char ref
function start.f_getCharData(ref)
	return main.t_selChars[ref + 1]
end

--returns stage ref out of def filename
function start.f_getStageRef(def)
	if def == '' then
		return getStageNo()
	end
	if main.t_stageDef[def:lower()] == nil then
		 main.f_addStage(def)
	end
	return main.t_stageDef[def:lower()]
end

--returns char ref out of def filename
function start.f_getCharRef(def)
	if main.t_charDef[def:lower()] == nil then
		if not main.f_addChar(def .. ', order = 0, ordersurvival = 0, exclude = 1', true, false) then
			panicError("\nUnable to add character. No such file or directory: " .. def .. "\n")
		end
	end
	return main.t_charDef[def:lower()]
end

--returns teammode int from string
function start.f_stringToTeamMode(tm)
	if tm == 'single' then
		return 0
	elseif tm == 'simul' then
		return 1
	elseif tm == 'turns' then
		return 2
	elseif tm == 'tag' then
		return 3
	end
	return nil
end

--returns formatted clear time string
function start.f_clearTimeText(text, totalSec)
	local h = tostring(math.floor(totalSec / 3600))
	local m = tostring(math.floor((totalSec / 3600 - h) * 60))
	local s = tostring(math.floor(((totalSec / 3600 - h) * 60 - m) * 60))
	local x = tostring(math.floor((((totalSec / 3600 - h) * 60 - m) * 60 - s) * 100))
	if string.len(m) < 2 then
		m = '0' .. m
	end
	if string.len(s) < 2 then
		s = '0' .. s
	end
	if string.len(x) < 2 then
		x = '0' .. x
	end
	return text:gsub('%%h', h):gsub('%%m', m):gsub('%%s', s):gsub('%%x', x)
end

local function getCharDefByName(name)
	-- First, try the direct key
	if main.t_charDef[name] ~= nil then
		return main.t_charDef[name]
	end
	-- Search by the .def filename
	for charDef, charIndex in pairs(main.t_charDef) do
		local defName = charDef:match('([^/\\]+)%.def$')
		if defName ~= nil and defName:lower() == name:lower() then
			return charIndex
		end
	end
	return nil
end

--returns formatted record text table
function start.f_getRecordText()
	local text = motif.select_info.record.text[gameMode()]
	if text == nil then
		return ""
	end
	local stats = jsonDecode('save/stats.json')
	if stats.modes == nil or stats.modes[gameMode()] == nil or stats.modes[gameMode()].ranking == nil or stats.modes[gameMode()].ranking[1] == nil then
		return ""
	end
	local t = stats.modes[gameMode()].ranking[1]
	--time
	text = start.f_clearTimeText(text, t.time)
	--score
	text = text:gsub('%%p', tostring(t.score))
	--win
	text = text:gsub('%%r', tostring(t.win))
	--char name
	local name = '?' --in case character being removed from roster
	local charDef = getCharDefByName(t.chars[1])
	if charDef ~= nil then
		name = start.f_getCharData(charDef).name
	end
	text = text:gsub('%%c', name)
	--player name
	text = text:gsub('%%n', t.name)
	return text
end

--cursor sound data, play cursor sound
function start.f_playWave(ref, name, g, n, loops)
	if g < 0 or n < 0 then return 0 end
	if name == 'stage' then
		local a = main.t_selStages[ref].attachedChar
		if a == nil or a.sound == nil then
			return 0
		end
		if main.t_selStages[ref][name .. '_wave_data'] == nil then
			main.t_selStages[ref][name .. '_wave_data'] = waveNew(a.dir .. a.sound, g, n, loops or -1)
		end
		wavePlay(main.t_selStages[ref][name .. '_wave_data'], g, n)
	else
		local sound = start.f_getCharData(ref).sound
		if sound == nil or sound == '' then
			return 0
		end
		local key = name .. '_wave_data_' .. g .. '_' .. n
		if start.f_getCharData(ref)[key] == nil then
			start.f_getCharData(ref)[key] =
				waveNew(start.f_getCharData(ref).dir .. start.f_getCharData(ref).sound, g, n, loops or -1)
		end
		wavePlay(start.f_getCharData(ref)[key], g, n)
	end
end

--removes char with particular ref from table
function start.f_excludeChar(t, ref)
	for _, list in pairs(t) do
		if type(list) == 'table' then
			for i = #list, 1, -1 do
				if list[i] == ref then
					table.remove(list, i)
				end
			end
		end
	end
	return t
end

--shuffles a table in-place (using synced RNG)
function start.f_shuffleTable(t, last)
	for i = #t, 2, -1 do
		local j = math.random(i)
		t[i], t[j] = t[j], t[i]
	end
	-- prevent first element from repeating the last of previous cycle
	if last and #t > 1 and t[#t] == last then
		-- swap the first element with a random other position
		local swap = math.random(#t - 1)
		t[#t], t[swap] = t[swap], t[#t]
	end
end

--returns random char ref
function start.f_randomChar(pn)
	if #main.t_randomChars == 0 then
		return nil
	end
	start.shuffleChars = start.shuffleChars or {}

	if not start.shuffleChars[pn] or #start.shuffleChars[pn] == 0 then
		local last = start.lastRandomChar and start.lastRandomChar[pn]
		local t = {}
		for _, v in ipairs(main.t_randomChars) do
			if gameOption('Options.Team.Duplicates') or not t_reservedChars[pn][v] then
				table.insert(t, v)
			end
		end
		start.f_shuffleTable(t, last)
		start.shuffleChars[pn] = t
	end
	-- draw one char from the bag
	local result = table.remove(start.shuffleChars[pn])
	-- store the last drawn value
	start.lastRandomChar = start.lastRandomChar or {}
	start.lastRandomChar[pn] = result
	return result
end

--return true if slot is selected, update start.t_grid
function start.f_slotSelected(cell, side, cmd, player, x, y)
	if cmd == nil then
		return false, false
	end
	local original_slot = main.t_selGrid[cell].slot
	if #main.t_selGrid[cell].chars > 0 then
		-- select.def 'slot' parameter special keys detection
		for _, cmdType in ipairs({'select', 'next', 'previous'}) do
			if main.t_selGrid[cell][cmdType] ~= nil then
				for k, v in pairs(main.t_selGrid[cell][cmdType]) do
					if commandGetState(cmd, k) then
						if cmdType == 'next' then
							local ok = false
							for i = main.t_selGrid[cell].slot + 1, #v do
								if start.f_getCharData(start.f_selGrid(cell, v[i]).char_ref).hidden < 2 then
									main.t_selGrid[cell].slot = v[i]
									ok = true
									break
								end
							end
							if not ok then
								for i = 1, main.t_selGrid[cell].slot - 1 do
									if start.f_getCharData(start.f_selGrid(cell, v[i]).char_ref).hidden < 2 then
										main.t_selGrid[cell].slot = v[i]
										ok = true
										break
									end
								end
							end
							if ok then
								sndPlay(motif.Snd, motif.select_info['p' .. side].swap.snd[1], motif.select_info['p' .. side].swap.snd[2])
							end
						elseif cmdType == 'previous' then
							local ok = false
							for i = main.t_selGrid[cell].slot -1, 1, -1 do
								if start.f_getCharData(start.f_selGrid(cell, v[i]).char_ref).hidden < 2 then
									main.t_selGrid[cell].slot = v[i]
									ok = true
									break
								end
							end
							if not ok then
								for i = #v, main.t_selGrid[cell].slot + 1, -1 do
									if start.f_getCharData(start.f_selGrid(cell, v[i]).char_ref).hidden < 2 then
										main.t_selGrid[cell].slot = v[i]
										ok = true
										break
									end
								end
							end
							if ok then
								sndPlay(motif.Snd, motif.select_info['p' .. side].swap.snd[1], motif.select_info['p' .. side].swap.snd[2])
							end
						else --select
							main.t_selGrid[cell].slot = v[math.random(#v)]
							start.c[player].selRef = start.f_selGrid(cell).char_ref
						end
						start.t_grid[y + 1][x + 1].char = start.f_selGrid(cell).char
						start.t_grid[y + 1][x + 1].char_ref = start.f_selGrid(cell).char_ref
						start.t_grid[y + 1][x + 1].hidden = start.f_selGrid(cell).hidden
						start.t_grid[y + 1][x + 1].skip = start.f_selGrid(cell).skip
						return cmdType == 'select', (main.t_selGrid[cell].slot ~= original_slot)
					end
				end
			end
		end
	end
	-- returns true on pressed key if current slot is not blocked by TeamDuplicates feature
	return main.f_btnPalNo(cmd) > 0 and (not t_reservedChars[side][start.t_grid[y + 1][x + 1].char_ref] or start.t_grid[start.c[player].selY + 1][start.c[player].selX + 1].char == 'randomselect'),false
end

--generate start.t_grid table, assign row and cell to main.t_selChars
local cnt = motif.select_info.columns + 1
local row = 1
local col = 0
start.t_grid = {[row] = {}}
for i = 1, motif.select_info.rows * motif.select_info.columns do
	if i == cnt then
		row = row + 1
		cnt = cnt + motif.select_info.columns
		start.t_grid[row] = {}
	end
	col = #start.t_grid[row] + 1
	local cell_spacing = getCellSpacing(col - 1, row - 1)
	local cell_offset = getCellOffset(col - 1, row - 1)
	start.t_grid[row][col] = {
		x = (col - 1) * (motif.select_info.cell.size[1] + cell_spacing[1]) + cell_offset[1],
		y = (row - 1) * (motif.select_info.cell.size[2] + cell_spacing[2]) + cell_offset[2]
	}
	if start.f_selGrid(i).char ~= nil then
		start.t_grid[row][col].char = start.f_selGrid(i).char
		start.t_grid[row][col].char_ref = start.f_selGrid(i).char_ref
		start.t_grid[row][col].hidden = start.f_selGrid(i).hidden
		for j = 1, #main.t_selGrid[i].chars do
			start.f_selGrid(i, j).row = row
			start.f_selGrid(i, j).col = col
		end
	end
	local overrideSkip = getCellSkip(col - 1, row - 1)
	if start.f_selGrid(i).skip == 1 or overrideSkip then
		start.t_grid[row][col].skip = 1
	end
end
if gameOption('Debug.DumpLuaTables') then main.f_printTable(start.t_grid, 'debug/t_grid.txt') end

local function updateCommon(common, add)
	for k, values in pairs(common) do
		if values ~= nil and #values > 0 then
			local optionName = 'Common.' .. k:gsub('^%l', string.upper)
			local t = gameOption(optionName)
			if add then
				local existing = {}
				local changed = false
				for _, v in ipairs(t) do
					existing[v] = true
				end
				for _, v in ipairs(values) do
					if v ~= '' and not existing[v] then
						table.insert(t, v)
						existing[v] = true
						changed = true
					end
				end
				if changed then
					modifyGameOption(optionName, t)
				end
			else
				local toRemove = {}
				local changed = false
				for _, v in ipairs(values) do
					if v ~= '' then
						toRemove[v] = true
					end
				end
				for i = #t, 1, -1 do
					if toRemove[t[i]] then
						table.remove(t, i)
						changed = true
					end
				end
				if changed then
					modifyGameOption(optionName, t)
				end
			end
		end
	end
end

-- return amount of life to recover
local function f_lifeRecovery(lifeMax, fighter)
	local ret = hook.runFirst("start.f_lifeRecovery", lifeMax, fighter)
	if ret ~= nil then return ret end
	local bonus = lifeMax * gameOption('Options.Turns.Recovery.Bonus') / 100
	local base = lifeMax * gameOption('Options.Turns.Recovery.Base') / 100
	return base + main.f_round(timeRemaining() / (timeRemaining() + timeElapsed()) * bonus)
end

-- match persistence
function start.f_matchPersistence()
	-- checked only after at least 1 match
	if matchNo() >= 2 then
		local gameStats = getGameStats()
		local matches = (getGameStats().Matches) or {}
		local idx = #matches
		if idx <= (start.matchPersistenceStatsIdx or 0) then
			return start.p[1].numChars
		end
		start.matchPersistenceStatsIdx = idx
		local roundStats = matches[idx].Rounds
		-- set 'existed' flag (decides if var/fvar should be persistent between matches)
		if roundStats then
			for _, round in ipairs(roundStats) do
				for side = 1, 2 do
					local fighters = (round.Fighters and round.Fighters[side]) or {}
					for _, f in ipairs(fighters) do
						local memberIdx = (f.MemberNo or 0) + 1
						if start.p[side].t_selected[memberIdx] ~= nil then
							start.p[side].t_selected[memberIdx].existed = true
						end
					end
				end
			end
		end
		-- if defeated members should be skipped from next match, or if life should be maintained
		if main.dropDefeated or main.persistLife then
			local turnsOffset = start.p[1].turnsOffset or 0
			-- Turns
			if start.p[1].teamMode == 2 then
				--for each round in the last match
				if roundStats then
					for _, round in ipairs(roundStats) do
						-- P1 active fighter snapshot for the round
						local f1 = (round.Fighters and round.Fighters[1] and round.Fighters[1][1]) or nil
						if f1 then
							local memberIdx = (f1.MemberNo or 0) + 1
							-- if defeated
							if f1.KO and (f1.Life or 0) <= 0 then
								-- Keep full roster for lifebar faces + hiscore, but advance turnsOffset
								-- so defeated members are skipped in the next match.
								if main.dropDefeated then
									turnsOffset = math.max(turnsOffset, memberIdx)
									if start.p[1].t_selected[memberIdx] ~= nil then
										start.p[1].t_selected[memberIdx].life = 0
									end
								-- or resurrect and recover character's life
								elseif main.persistLife then
									start.p[1].t_selected[memberIdx].life = math.max(1, f_lifeRecovery(f1.LifeMax or 0, f1))
								end
							-- otherwise maintain character's life
							elseif main.persistLife then
								start.p[1].t_selected[memberIdx].life = f1.Life or start.p[1].t_selected[memberIdx].life
							end
						end
					end
				end
				if main.dropDefeated then
					start.p[1].turnsOffset = turnsOffset
					local total = #start.p[1].t_selected
					start.p[1].numChars = math.max(0, total - turnsOffset)
				end
			-- Single / Simul / Tag
			else
				-- for each player data in the last round (new format)
				if roundStats and #roundStats > 0 then
					local lastRound = roundStats[#roundStats]
					for side = 1, 2 do
						local fighters = (lastRound.Fighters and lastRound.Fighters[side]) or {}
						-- only check player-controlled side
						if not main.cpuSide[side] then
							for _, f in ipairs(fighters) do
								local memberIdx = (f.MemberNo or 0) + 1
								-- if defeated
								if f.KO and (f.Life or 0) <= 0 then
									if main.persistLife then
										start.p[1].t_selected[memberIdx].life = math.max(1, f_lifeRecovery(f.LifeMax or 0, f))
									end
								-- otherwise maintain character's life
								elseif main.persistLife then
									start.p[1].t_selected[memberIdx].life = f.Life or start.p[1].t_selected[memberIdx].life
								end
							end
						end
					end
				end
			end
		end
	end
	return start.p[1].numChars
end

--start game
function start.f_game(common)
	clearColor(0, 0, 0)
	if gameOption('Debug.DumpLuaTables') and start ~= nil then
		main.f_printTable(start.p, 'debug/t_p.txt')
	end
	if gameMode('training') then
		menu.f_trainingReset()
	end
	local winner = -1
	winner, start.challenger = game()
	if gameOption('Debug.DumpLuaTables') then
		main.f_printTable(getGameStats(), 'debug/t_gameStats.txt')
	end
	main.f_restoreInput()
	updateCommon(common, false)
	if shutdown() then
		clearColor(0, 0, 0)
		os.exit()
	end
	return winner
end

--;===========================================================
--; MODES LOOP
--;===========================================================
function start.f_selectMode()
	start.f_selectReset(true)
	while true do
		--select screen
		if gameOption('Config.BootLoadingMode') == 1 then
			main.f_waitForPreloads()
		end
		if not start.f_selectScreen() then
			bgReset(motif[main.background].BGDef)
			fadeInInit(motif[main.group].fadein.FadeData)
			playBgm({source = "motif.title", interrupt = true})
			return
		end
		-- lua file with custom arcade path detection
		local path = main.luaPath
		if main.charparam.arcadepath then
			if start.f_getCharData(start.p[1].t_selected[1].ref).arcadepath ~= '' then
				path = start.f_getCharData(start.p[1].t_selected[1].ref).arcadepath
			end
			path = hook.runFirst("start.f_selectMode.luaPath", path) or path
			if path ~= '' and path ~= main.defaultLuaPath then
				if not main.f_fileExists(path) then
					local label = "arcadepath"
					if path ~= main.luaPath then
						label = start.f_getCharData(start.p[1].t_selected[1].ref).name .. " arcadepath"
					end
					panicError("\n" .. label .. " doesn't exist: " .. path .. "\n")
				end
			end
		end
		local customArcadePath = main.charparam.arcadepath and path ~= main.defaultLuaPath
		--first match
		if start.reset then
			-- Save current remap state. main.f_restoreInput() should restore to this.
			main.f_saveBaseRemapInput()
			if customArcadePath then
				main.t_availableChars = main.f_tableCopy(main.t_orderChars.default)
			else
				main.t_availableChars = main.f_tableCopy(start.f_getOrderChars())
			end
			--generate default roster
			if main.makeRoster and not customArcadePath then
				start.t_roster = start.f_makeRoster()
			else
				start.t_roster = {}
			end
			--generate AI ramping table
			if main.aiRamp then
				start.f_aiRamp(1)
			end
			start.reset = false
		end
		--external script execution
		local oldCustomArcadePath = start.customArcadePath
		start.customArcadePath = customArcadePath
		assert(loadFile(path))()
		start.customArcadePath = oldCustomArcadePath
		--infinite matches flag detected
		if main.makeRoster and start.t_roster[matchNo()] ~= nil and start.t_roster[matchNo()][1] == -1 then
			table.remove(start.t_roster, matchNo())
			start.t_roster = start.f_makeRoster(start.t_roster)
			if main.aiRamp then
				start.f_aiRamp(matchNo())
			end
		--otherwise
		else
			if matchNo() == -1 then --no more matches left
				-- hiscore & stats handled in Go; returns (cleared, place)
				local cleared, place = computeRanking(gameMode())
				if main.motif.hiscore and place > 0 then
					main.f_hiscore(gameMode(), place)
				end
				--credits
				if cleared and main.storyboard.credits and motif.end_credits.enabled and main.f_fileExists(motif.end_credits.storyboard) then
					main.f_storyboard(motif.end_credits.storyboard)
				end
				--game over
				if main.storyboard.gameover and motif.game_over_screen.enabled and main.f_fileExists(motif.game_over_screen.storyboard) then
					if cleared or not main.motif.continuescreen or (not continued() and motif.continue_screen.gameover.enabled) then
						main.f_storyboard(motif.game_over_screen.storyboard)
					end
				end
				--exit to main menu
				if main.exitSelect then
					if motif.files.intro.storyboard ~= '' and not motif.attract_mode.enabled then
						main.f_storyboard(motif.files.intro.storyboard)
					end
				end
				start.exit = start.exit or main.exitSelect or not main.selectMenu[1]
			end
			if start.exit then
				bgReset(motif[main.background].BGDef)
				fadeInInit(motif[main.group].fadein.FadeData)
				playBgm({source = "motif.title", interrupt = true})
				start.exit = false
				return
			end
			if not continued() or esc() then
				start.f_selectReset(false)
			else
				t_reservedChars = {{}, {}}
			end
		end
	end
end

--resets various data
function start.f_selectReset(hardReset, preserveProgress)
	esc(false)
	if not preserveProgress then
		resetGameStats()
		start.matchPersistenceStatsIdx = 0
		setMatchNo(1)
		if main.elimination then
			setWinCount(1, 0)
			setWinCount(2, 0)
		end
		setConsecutiveWins(1, 0)
		setConsecutiveWins(2, 0)
	end
	local col = 1
	local row = 1
	for i = 1, #main.t_selGrid do
		if i > motif.select_info.columns * row then
			row = row + 1
			col = 1
		end
		if main.t_selGrid[i].slot ~= 1 then
			main.t_selGrid[i].slot = 1
			start.t_grid[row][col].char = start.f_selGrid(i).char
			start.t_grid[row][col].char_ref = start.f_selGrid(i).char_ref
			start.t_grid[row][col].hidden = start.f_selGrid(i).hidden
			start.t_grid[row][col].skip = start.f_selGrid(i).skip
		end
		col = col + 1
	end
	if hardReset then
		if motif.select_info.stage.randomselect == 0 or motif.select_info.stage.randomselect == 2 then
			stageListNo = 1
		else
			stageListNo = 0
		end
		restoreCursor = false
		--cursor start cell
		for i = 1, gameOption('Config.Players') do
			if start.f_getCursorData(i).cursor.startcell[1] < motif.select_info.rows then
				start.c[i].selY = start.f_getCursorData(i).cursor.startcell[1]
			else
				start.c[i].selY = 0
			end
			if start.f_getCursorData(i).cursor.startcell[2] < motif.select_info.columns then
				start.c[i].selX = start.f_getCursorData(i).cursor.startcell[2]
			else
				start.c[i].selX = 0
			end
			start.c[i].cell = -1
			start.c[i].randCnt = 0
			start.c[i].randRef = nil
		end
	end
	if stageRandom then
		stageListNo = 0
		stageRandom = false
	end
	for side = 1, 2 do
		if hardReset then
			start.p[side].numSimul = math.max(2, gameOption('Options.Simul.Min'))
			start.p[side].numTag = math.max(2, gameOption('Options.Tag.Min'))
			start.p[side].numTurns = math.max(2, gameOption('Options.Turns.Min'))
			start.p[side].teamMenu = 1
			start.p[side].t_cursor = {}
			start.p[side].teamMode = 0
		end
		start.p[side].numSimul = math.min(start.p[side].numSimul, gameOption('Options.Simul.Max'))
		start.p[side].numTag = math.min(start.p[side].numTag, gameOption('Options.Tag.Max'))
		start.p[side].numTurns = math.min(start.p[side].numTurns, gameOption('Options.Turns.Max'))
		start.p[side].numChars = 1
		start.p[side].teamEnd = main.cpuSide[side] and (side == 2 or not main.cpuSide[1]) and main.forceChar[side] == nil
		start.p[side].selEnd = not main.selectMenu[side]
		start.p[side].t_selected = {}
		start.p[side].t_selTemp = {}
		start.p[side].t_selCmd = {}
		-- Tracks how many leading Turns members are already defeated across matches.
		-- Used by Survival Turns to skip them without removing from roster.
		start.p[side].turnsOffset = 0
		hook.run("start.f_selectReset.side", side, hardReset, preserveProgress, start.p[side])
	end
	for _, v in ipairs(start.c) do
		v.cell = -1
	end
	selScreenEnd = false
	stageEnd = false
	t_reservedChars = {{}, {}}
	cursorActive = {}
	cursorDone = {}
	if main.preload ~= nil and main.preload.charHighlight ~= nil then
		for _, ref in pairs(main.preload.charHighlight) do
			queueCharPreload(ref, 1)
		end
		main.preload.charHighlight = {}
	end
	t_portraitPriority = {1, 1}
	if start.challenger == 0 and not preserveProgress then
		start.t_roster = {}
		start.reset = true
	end
	menu.movelistChar = 1
	hook.run("start.f_selectReset")
end

-- Which command list should drive menu navigation for a given side.
function start.f_menuCmd(side)
	if not main.coop and side == 2 and main.cpuSide[2] then
		return 1
	end
	return side
end

local function makeChallengerResumeSnapshot(pendingFightData, stageNo)
	local resume = {
		p = main.f_tableCopy(start.p),
		c = main.f_tableCopy(start.c),
		roster = main.f_tableCopy(start.t_roster),
		availableChars = main.f_tableCopy(main.t_availableChars),
		pendingFight = main.f_tableCopy(pendingFightData or {}),
		matchNo = matchNo(),
		matchPersistenceStatsIdx = start.matchPersistenceStatsIdx or 0,
		p1ConsecutiveWins = getConsecutiveWins(1),
		p2ConsecutiveWins = getConsecutiveWins(2),
		gameStatsJson = getGameStatsJson(),
		teamarcade = main.teamarcade,
	}
	if stageNo ~= nil then
		resume.pendingFight.stageNo = stageNo
	end
	return resume
end

local function applyWinnerSelectMemory(resume, winnerSide, challengerState)
	if resume == nil or challengerState == nil or winnerSide < 1 or winnerSide > 2 then
		return
	end
	resume.p = resume.p or {{}, {}}
	resume.c = resume.c or {}
	local srcSide = challengerState.p and challengerState.p[winnerSide] or nil
	if srcSide ~= nil then
		resume.p[1] = resume.p[1] or {}
		-- Preserve the winner's last confirmed selection cells / team menu state.
		resume.p[1].t_cursor = main.f_tableCopy(srcSide.t_cursor or {})
		if srcSide.teamMenu ~= nil then resume.p[1].teamMenu = srcSide.teamMenu end
		if srcSide.teamMode ~= nil then resume.p[1].teamMode = srcSide.teamMode end
		if srcSide.numSimul ~= nil then resume.p[1].numSimul = srcSide.numSimul end
		if srcSide.numTag ~= nil then resume.p[1].numTag = srcSide.numTag end
		if srcSide.numTurns ~= nil then resume.p[1].numTurns = srcSide.numTurns end
	end
	if challengerState.c ~= nil then
		-- Promote the winner-side cursor slots onto the new arcade P1 slots:
		-- side 1: 1/3/5/7 -> 1/3/5/7
		-- side 2: 2/4/6/8 -> 1/3/5/7
		for srcPn = winnerSide, gameOption('Config.Players'), 2 do
			if challengerState.c[srcPn] ~= nil then
				local dstPn = srcPn
				if winnerSide == 2 then
					dstPn = srcPn - 1
				end
				resume.c[dstPn] = main.f_tableCopy(challengerState.c[srcPn])
			end
		end
	end
	hook.run("start.f_selectChallenger.resume", resume, winnerSide, challengerState)
end

function start.f_selectChallenger(resume)
	esc(false)
	resume = resume or makeChallengerResumeSnapshot()
	local challengerCmd = start.challenger
	local arcadeP1Controller = getRemapInput(1)
	local challengerController = getRemapInput(challengerCmd)

	-- Start challenger match from a clean state.
	main.f_default()

	-- Build a clean, non-chained input mapping:
	--   cmd list 1 -> arcade P1 physical controller
	--   cmd list 2 -> challenger physical controller
	-- Keep the rest as a swap-based permutation (no dual-feeding / chaining).
	local function swapCmd(a, b)
		if a == b then return end
		local ra = getRemapInput(a)
		local rb = getRemapInput(b)
		remapInput(a, rb)
		remapInput(b, ra)
	end
	-- Put arcade P1 controller on cmd 1.
	swapCmd(1, arcadeP1Controller)
	-- Find which cmd currently owns challengerController and swap it onto cmd 2.
	local holder = 2
	for i = 1, gameOption('Config.Players') do
		if getRemapInput(i) == challengerController then
			holder = i
			break
		end
	end
	swapCmd(2, holder)
	-- Keep challenger flag (>0) so versus() enters challenger mode
	start.challenger = challengerCmd

	main.t_itemname.versus()

	start.f_selectReset(false)
	if not start.f_selectScreen() then
		start.exit = true
		start.challenger = 0
		main.f_restoreInput()
		return false
	end
	local ok = launchFight{challenger = true}
	local challengerSelectState = {
		p = main.f_tableCopy(start.p),
		c = main.f_tableCopy(start.c),
	}
	local challengerWinner = getWinnerTeam()

	start.challenger = 0
	if not ok or challengerWinner < 1 or challengerWinner > 2 or start.exit or esc() then
		main.f_restoreInput()
		return false
	end
	-- Winner of the challenger match becomes the new arcade P1 owner.
	local resumeController = arcadeP1Controller
	if challengerWinner == 2 then
		resumeController = challengerController
	end

	-- Rebuild arcade mode with the winner's controller mapped to P1.
	main.teamarcade = resume.teamarcade
	main.f_default()
	setLastInputController(resumeController)
	main.t_itemname.arcade()
	main.f_saveBaseRemapInput()

	-- Restore interrupted arcade progress before going back to select screen.
	applyWinnerSelectMemory(resume, challengerWinner, challengerSelectState)
	start.p = main.f_tableCopy(resume.p)
	start.c = main.f_tableCopy(resume.c)
	start.t_roster = main.f_tableCopy(resume.roster)
	main.t_availableChars = main.f_tableCopy(resume.availableChars)
	setGameStatsJson(resume.gameStatsJson)
	setMatchNo(resume.matchNo)
	start.matchPersistenceStatsIdx = resume.matchPersistenceStatsIdx or 0
	setConsecutiveWins(1, resume.p1ConsecutiveWins)
	setConsecutiveWins(2, resume.p2ConsecutiveWins)
	start.reset = false
	start.exit = false

	-- Preserve the interrupted opponent. P1 is cleared for re-selection,
	-- but P2 stays selected so resuming does not roll a new random opponent.
	local p2 = main.f_tableCopy(start.p[2])
	start.f_selectReset(false, true)
	start.p[2] = p2 
	start.reset = false

	if not start.f_selectScreen() then
		start.exit = true
		return false
	end

	-- Resume the exact interrupted arcade fight using the original caller args.
	resume.pendingFight.p2char = {}
	return launchFight(resume.pendingFight)
end

local function buildMusicParams(data)
	local out = {}
	for k, v in pairs(data) do
		if type(k) == "string" and k:match("music$") then
			if type(v) == "string" then
				out[#out + 1] = k .. "=" .. v
			elseif type(v) == "table" and #v > 0 then
				local first = v[1]
				-- If table looks like { "path.mp3", 100, 123, 456 } => positional args
				local positional = (type(first) == "string") and (#v == 1 or type(v[2]) ~= "string")
				if positional then
					local pieces = {}
					for i = 1, #v do
						pieces[i] = tostring(v[i])
					end
					-- space-separated to avoid commas inside the value
					out[#out + 1] = k .. "=" .. table.concat(pieces, " ")
				else
					-- Treat as multiple candidate tracks: {"a.mp3","b.mp3",...}
					for i = 1, #v do
						out[#out + 1] = k .. "=" .. tostring(v[i])
					end
				end
			end
		end
	end
	return table.concat(out, ", ")
end

local function defaultQuickContinue()
	return (not main.selectMenu[1] and not main.selectMenu[2])
		or main.quickContinue
		or gameOption('Options.QuickContinue')
end

function launchFight(data)
	local data = data or {}
	local t = {}
	if continued() then -- on rematch all arguments are ignored and values are restored from last match
		t = main.f_tableCopy(start.launchFightSav)
		start.p[2].t_selTemp = {} -- in case it's not cleaned already (preserved p2 side during select screen)
	else -- otherwise take all arguments and settings into account
		t.p1numchars = start.p[1].numChars
		t.p1teammode = start.p[1].teamMode
		t.p2numchars = start.p[2].numChars
		t.p2teammode = start.p[2].teamMode
		t.challenger = main.f_arg(data.challenger, false)
		t.continue = main.f_arg(data.continue, main.motif.continuescreen)
		t.quickcontinue = main.f_arg(data.quickcontinue, defaultQuickContinue())
		t.order = data.order or 1
		t.orderselect = {main.f_arg(data.p1orderselect, main.orderSelect[1]), main.f_arg(data.p2orderselect, main.orderSelect[2])}
		t.p1char = data.p1char or {}
		t.p1pal = data.p1pal
		t.p1rounds = data.p1rounds or nil
		t.p2char = data.p2char or {}
		t.p2pal = data.p2pal
		t.p2rounds = data.p2rounds or nil
		t.exclude = data.exclude or {}
		t.musicParams = buildMusicParams(data)
		t.stage = data.stage or ''
		t.ai = data.ai or nil
		t.vsscreen = main.f_arg(data.vsscreen, main.motif.vsscreen)
		t.victoryscreen = main.f_arg(data.victoryscreen, main.motif.victoryscreen)
		t.winscreen = main.f_arg(data.winscreen, main.motif.winscreen)
		--t.frames = data.frames or fightScreenVar("time.framespercount")
		t.roundtime = data.time or nil
		t.lua = data.lua or ''
		t.stageNo = start.f_getStageRef(t.stage)
		t.stageAssigned = data.stageNo ~= nil or t.stage ~= ''
		t.stageNo = data.stageNo or start.f_getStageRef(t.stage)
		start.p[1].numChars = data.p1numchars or math.max(start.p[1].numChars, #t.p1char)
		start.p[1].teamMode = start.f_stringToTeamMode(data.p1teammode) or start.p[1].teamMode
		start.p[2].numChars = data.p2numchars or math.max(start.p[2].numChars, #t.p2char)
		start.p[2].teamMode = start.f_stringToTeamMode(data.p2teammode) or start.p[2].teamMode
		t.p1numchars = start.f_matchPersistence()
		-- add P1 chars forced via function arguments (ignore char param restrictions)
		local reset = false
		local cnt = 0
		for _, v in main.f_sortKeys(t.p1char) do
			if not reset then
				start.p[1].t_selected = {}
				start.p[1].t_selTemp = {}
				reset = true
			end
			cnt = cnt + 1
			local ref = start.f_getCharRef(v)
			local pal = t.p1pal
			if type(pal) == 'table' then
				pal = pal[cnt]
			end
			table.insert(start.p[1].t_selected, {
				ref = ref,
				pal = pal or start.f_selectPal(ref),
				pn = start.f_getPlayerNo(1, #start.p[1].t_selected + 1),
				--cursor = {},
			})
			hook.run("start.launchFight.selected", 1, #start.p[1].t_selected, start.p[1].t_selected[#start.p[1].t_selected], start.p[1], t)
			main.t_availableChars = start.f_excludeChar(main.t_availableChars, ref)
		end
		if #start.p[1].t_selected == 0 then
			panicError("\n" .. "launchFight(): no valid P1 characters\n")
			start.exit = true
			return false -- return to main menu
		end
		-- add P2 chars forced via function arguments (ignore char param restrictions)
		local onlyme = false
		cnt = 0
		for _, v in main.f_sortKeys(t.p2char) do
			cnt = cnt + 1
			local ref = start.f_getCharRef(v)
			local pal = t.p2pal
			if type(pal) == 'table' then
				pal = pal[cnt]
			end
			table.insert(start.p[2].t_selected, {
				ref = ref,
				pal = pal or start.f_selectPal(ref),
				pn = start.f_getPlayerNo(2, #start.p[2].t_selected + 1),
				--cursor = {},
			})
			hook.run("start.launchFight.selected", 2, #start.p[2].t_selected, start.p[2].t_selected[#start.p[2].t_selected], start.p[2], t)
			main.t_availableChars = start.f_excludeChar(main.t_availableChars, ref)
			if not onlyme then onlyme = start.f_getCharData(ref).single end
		end
		-- add remaining P2 chars of particular order if there are still free slots in the selected team mode
		if main.cpuSide[2] and #start.p[2].t_selected < start.p[2].numChars and not onlyme then
			-- get list of available chars
			local t_chars = main.f_tableCopy(main.t_availableChars)
			-- remove chars temporary excluded from this match
			for _, v in ipairs(t.exclude) do
				t_chars = start.f_excludeChar(t_chars, start.f_getCharRef(v))
			end
			-- remove chars with 'single' param if some characters are forced into team
			if #start.p[2].t_selected > 0 then
				for _, v in ipairs(t_chars[t.order]) do
					if start.f_getCharData(v).single then
						t_chars = start.f_excludeChar(t_chars, v)
					end
				end
			end
			-- fill free slots
			local t_remaining = main.f_tableCopy(t_chars)
			local t_tmp = {}
			for i = #start.p[2].t_selected, start.p[2].numChars - 1 do
				if t_chars[t.order] ~= nil and #t_chars[t.order] > 0 then
					local rand = math.random(1, #t_chars[t.order])
					local ref = t_chars[t.order][rand]
					if not start.f_getCharData(ref).single then
						table.remove(t_chars[t.order], rand)
						table.insert(t_tmp, ref)
					else --one entry if 'single' param is detected on any opponent
						t_tmp = {ref}
						onlyme = true
						break
					end
				end
			end
			-- not enough unique characters of particular order, take into account only if skiporder parameter = false
			while not t.skiporder and #t_tmp + #start.p[2].t_selected < start.p[2].numChars and not onlyme and t_remaining[t.order] ~= nil and #t_remaining[t.order] > 0 do
				table.insert(t_tmp, t_remaining[t.order][math.random(1, #t_remaining[t.order])])
			end
			-- append remaining characters
			for _, v in ipairs(t_tmp) do
				table.insert(start.p[2].t_selected, {
					ref = v,
					pal = start.f_selectPal(v),
					pn = start.f_getPlayerNo(2, #start.p[2].t_selected + 1),
					--cursor = {},
				})
				hook.run("start.launchFight.selected", 2, #start.p[2].t_selected, start.p[2].t_selected[#start.p[2].t_selected], start.p[2], t)
				main.t_availableChars = start.f_excludeChar(main.t_availableChars, v)
			end
			-- team conversion if 'single' param is set on randomly added chars
			if onlyme and #start.p[2].t_selected > 1 then
				panicError("Unexpected launchFight state.\nPlease write down everything that lead to this error and report it to K4thos.\n")
				--[[for i = 1, #start.p[2].t_selected do
					if not start.f_getCharData(start.p[2].t_selected[i].ref).single then
						table.insert(main.t_availableChars[t.order], start.p[2].t_selected[i].ref)
						table.remove(start.p[2].t_selected, k)
					end
				end]]
			end
		end
		if onlyme then
			start.p[2].numChars = #start.p[2].t_selected
		end
		-- skip match if needed
		if #start.p[2].t_selected < start.p[2].numChars then
			start.p[2].t_selected = {}
			start.p[2].t_selTemp = {}
			printConsole("launchFight(): not enough P2 characters, skipping execution")
			setMatchNo(matchNo() + 1)
			return true --continue lua code execution
		end
	end
	clearSelected()
	local ok = false
	local loopCount = 0
	while true do
		-- fight initialization
		setTeamMode(1, start.p[1].teamMode, start.p[1].numChars)
		setTeamMode(2, start.p[2].teamMode, start.p[2].numChars)
		start.f_remapAI(t.ai)
		start.f_setRounds(t.roundtime, {t.p1rounds, t.p2rounds})
		t.stageNo = start.f_setStage(t.stageNo, t.stageAssigned or continued() or loopCount > 0)
		local challengerResume = nil
		if not t.challenger then
			-- Snapshot before game() runs. If a challenger interrupts the fight, this is the last clean arcade state.
			challengerResume = makeChallengerResumeSnapshot(data, t.stageNo)
		end
		local common = {lua = {}}
		if t.lua ~= '' then
			table.insert(common.lua, t.lua)
		end
		-- Hooks may mutate "common" in place before loading starts.
		hook.run("launchFight", common, t, data)
		updateCommon(common, true)
		-- Resolve match-scoped params before VS can start background loading.
		local winscreen = main.f_arg(t.winscreen, main.motif.winscreen)
		if winscreen and data.winscreen == nil then
			if start.customArcadePath or (main.makeRoster and start.t_roster[matchNo() + 1] ~= nil) then
				winscreen = false
			end
		end
		local loadStartParams = main.f_tableCopy(t)
		loadStartParams.winscreen = winscreen

		if not start.f_selectVersus(t.vsscreen, t.orderselect, loadStartParams) then break end
		-- If VS started background loading, do not restart the loader here.
		if gameOption('Config.VsScreenLoading') and start.bgLoadStarted then
			clearAllSound()
		elseif not start.f_selectLoading(loadStartParams) then
			break
		end
		start.f_game(common)
		clearColor(motif.selectbgdef.bgclearcolor[1], motif.selectbgdef.bgclearcolor[2], motif.selectbgdef.bgclearcolor[3])
		if start.exit or start.characterchange then
			if start.characterchange then
				start.f_selectReset(false)
			end
			start.characterchange = false
			break
		-- here comes a new challenger
		elseif start.challenger > 0 then
			if t.challenger then -- end function called by f_arcadeChallenger() regardless of outcome
				ok = not start.exit and not esc()
				break
			else
				return start.f_selectChallenger(challengerResume)
			end
		-- player exit the game via ESC
		elseif getWinnerTeam() == -1 then
			if not main.selectMenu[1] and not main.selectMenu[2] then
				setMatchNo(-1)
			end
			break
		-- player lost in modes that ends after 1 lose
		elseif getWinnerTeam() ~= 1 and main.elimination then
			setMatchNo(-1)
			break
		-- player won or continuing is disabled
		elseif getWinnerTeam() == 1 or not t.continue then
			start.p[2].t_selected = {}
			start.p[2].t_selTemp = {}
			setMatchNo(matchNo() + 1)
			ok = true -- continue lua code execution
			break
		-- continue = no
		elseif not continued() then
			setMatchNo(-1)
			break
		-- continue = yes
		elseif not t.quickcontinue then -- if 'Quick Continue' is disabled
			for i = 1, 2 do
				for _, v in ipairs(start.p[i].t_selCmd) do
					v.selectState = 0
				end
			end
			start.p[1].t_selected = {}
			start.p[1].t_selTemp = {}
			start.p[1].selEnd = false
			start.launchFightSav = main.f_tableCopy(t)
			--start.p[2].t_selTemp = {} -- uncomment to disable enemy team showing up in select screen
			selScreenEnd = false
			return
		end
		start.challenger = 0
		loopCount = loopCount + 1
	end
	-- restore original values
	start.p[1].numChars = t.p1numchars
	start.p[1].teamMode = t.p1teammode
	start.p[2].numChars = t.p2numchars
	start.p[2].teamMode = t.p2teammode
	return ok
end

function launchStoryboard(path)
	if path == nil or path == '' then
		return false
	end
	main.f_storyboard(path)
	return true
end

function codeInput(name)
	return commandGetState(getLastInputController(), name)
end

--;===========================================================
--; SELECT SCREEN
--;===========================================================
local function refreshActiveFacePortraits()
	for side = 1, 2 do
		for k, v in ipairs(start.p[side].t_selCmd) do
			local member = main.f_tableLength(start.p[side].t_selected) + k
			if main.coop and (side == 1 or gameMode('versuscoop')) then
				member = k
			end
			local st = start.p[side].t_selTemp[member]
			local player = v.player
			local selRef = start.c[player].selRef
			if v.selectState == 0 and st ~= nil and selRef ~= nil and st.ref == selRef then
				local state = getCharPreloadStatus(selRef)
				if state == 'ready' then
					local pn = 2 * (member - 1) + side
					local pCfg = f_getMotifP(motif.select_info, pn, side)
					local updated = false
					if st.face_data == nil then
						st.face_anim = pCfg.face.anim
						st.face_data = start.f_animGet(selRef, side, member, pCfg.face, nil, true, st.face_data)
						updated = updated or st.face_data ~= nil
					end
					if st.face2_data == nil then
						st.face2_anim = pCfg.face2.anim
						st.face2_data = start.f_animGet(selRef, side, member, pCfg.face2, nil, true, st.face2_data)
						updated = updated or st.face2_data ~= nil
					end
					if updated then
						start.needUpdateDrawList = true
					end
				end
			end
		end
	end
end

function start.updateDrawList()
	local drawList = {}

	for row = 1, motif.select_info.rows do
		for col = 1, motif.select_info.columns do
			local cellIndex = (row - 1) * motif.select_info.columns + col
			local t = start.t_grid[row][col]
			local c = col - 1
			local r = row - 1

			if t.skip ~= 1 then
				local charData = start.f_selGrid(cellIndex)
				local function getTransforms(base)
					return {
						facing      = getCellFacing(base.facing, c, r),
						scale       = getCellTransform(c, r, "scale", base.scale),
						xshear      = getCellTransform(c, r, "xshear", base.xshear),
						angle       = getCellTransform(c, r, "angle", base.angle),
						xangle      = getCellTransform(c, r, "xangle", base.xangle),
						yangle      = getCellTransform(c, r, "yangle", base.yangle),
						projection  = getCellTransform(c, r, "projection", base.projection),
						focallength = getCellTransform(c, r, "focallength", base.focallength)
					}
				end

				if (charData and charData.char ~= nil and (charData.hidden == 0 or charData.hidden == 3)) or motif.select_info.showemptyboxes then
					local item = getTransforms(motif.select_info.cell.bg)
					item.anim = motif.select_info.cell.bg.AnimData
					item.x = motif.select_info.pos[1] + t.x
					item.y = motif.select_info.pos[2] + t.y
					table.insert(drawList, item)
				end

				if charData and (charData.char == 'randomselect' or charData.hidden == 3) then
					local item = getTransforms(motif.select_info.cell.random)
					item.anim = motif.select_info.cell.random.AnimData
					item.x = motif.select_info.pos[1] + t.x + motif.select_info.portrait.offset[1]
					item.y = motif.select_info.pos[2] + t.y + motif.select_info.portrait.offset[2]
					table.insert(drawList, item)
				end

				if charData and charData.char_ref ~= nil and charData.hidden == 0 and charData.char ~= 'randomselect' then
					local portrait = motif.select_info.portrait
					local loadingPortrait = false
					if getCharPreloadStatus(charData.char_ref) ~= 'ready' and hasPortraitAnim(portrait.loading) then
						portrait = portrait.loading
						loadingPortrait = true
					end
					local item = getTransforms(portrait)
					item.anim = loadingPortrait and portrait.AnimData or charData.cell_data
					item.x = motif.select_info.pos[1] + t.x
					item.y = motif.select_info.pos[2] + t.y
					if not loadingPortrait then
						item.x = item.x + portrait.offset[1]
						item.y = item.y + portrait.offset[2]
					end
					-- apply cell scale override while preserving portrait resolution factor
					-- loading portrait comes from system.sff, so don't apply character localcoord scaling to it
					if item.scale ~= nil and not loadingPortrait then
						local charInfo = main.t_selChars[charData.char_ref + 1]
						if charInfo then
							local portraitScale = charInfo.portraitscale or 1
							local charLocalcoord = charInfo.localcoord or motif.info.localcoord[1]
							-- recompute resolution compensation factor
							local resFix = portraitScale * motif.info.localcoord[1] / charLocalcoord
							item.scale = {
								item.scale[1] * resFix,
								item.scale[2] * resFix
							}
						end
					end
					table.insert(drawList, item)
					local grid = main.t_selGrid[cellIndex]
					local hasMultipleChars = grid ~= nil and #grid.chars > 1
					-- draw slot indicator
					if hasMultipleChars and hasPortraitAnim(motif.select_info.cell.slot) then
						local icon = getTransforms(motif.select_info.cell.slot)
						icon.anim = motif.select_info.cell.slot.AnimData
						icon.x = motif.select_info.pos[1] + t.x
						icon.y = motif.select_info.pos[2] + t.y
						table.insert(drawList, icon)
					end
				end
			end
		end
	end

	return drawList
end

local function tickScreenDelay(side)
	if start.p[side].screenDelay <= 0 then
		return false
	end
	local selectComplete = start.p[1].selEnd and start.p[2].selEnd and start.p[1].teamEnd and start.p[2].teamEnd
	local canSkip = not start.p[side].inPalMenu and (
		not start.p[side].selEnd
		or (selectComplete and (not main.stageMenu or stageEnd))
	)
	if canSkip then
		local owners = {}
		local seen = {}
		if main.coop and (side == 1 or gameMode('versuscoop')) then
			for _, v in ipairs(start.p[side].t_selCmd) do
				if v.cmd ~= nil and not seen[v.cmd] then
					table.insert(owners, v.cmd)
					seen[v.cmd] = true
				end
			end
		else
			local cmd = start.f_menuCmd(side)
			if cmd ~= nil then
				table.insert(owners, cmd)
			end
		end
		if #owners > 0 and getInput(owners, motif.select_info.done.key) then
			start.p[side].screenDelay = 0
			return true
		end
	end
	start.p[side].screenDelay = start.p[side].screenDelay - 1
	return false
end

-- Reset stage portrait animation data
local function resetStagePortraitAnim(stageNo, subname)
	local st = main.t_selStages[stageNo]
	if not st then
		return
	end
	local anim = st[subname]
	if anim then
		animReset(anim)
		animUpdate(anim)
	end
end

local function teamMenuSelectable(t)
	if #t > 1 then
		return true
	elseif #t == 0 then
		return false
	end
	local item = t[1].itemname
	return item ~= 'single'
		and (item ~= 'simul' or main.numSimul[1] ~= main.numSimul[2])
		and (item ~= 'turns' or main.numTurns[1] ~= main.numTurns[2])
		and (item ~= 'tag' or main.numTag[1] ~= main.numTag[2])
end

local function resetSelectMember(side, member, ref)
	local st = start.p[side].t_selTemp[member]
	local pn = 2 * (member - 1) + side
	local pCfg = f_getMotifP(motif.select_info, pn, side)
	st.face_data = start.f_animGet(ref, side, member, pCfg.face, nil, true, st.face_data)
	st.face2_data = start.f_animGet(ref, side, member, pCfg.face2, nil, true, st.face2_data)
	st.slotConfirmed = false
	st.currentIdx = nil
	st.validPals = nil
	t_reservedChars[side][ref] = nil
end

local function cancelSelectMember(side, cmdIndex)
	local p = start.p[side]
	local separateControls = main.coop and (side == 1 or gameMode('versuscoop'))
	local selected = main.f_tableLength(p.t_selected)
	local v = p.t_selCmd[cmdIndex]
	local member = separateControls and cmdIndex or selected + cmdIndex
	local st = p.t_selTemp[member]

	-- Character confirmed, but not committed to t_selected yet.
	if st ~= nil and st.slotConfirmed and p.t_selected[member] == nil then
		resetSelectMember(side, member, st.ref)
		v.selectState = 0
		p.screenDelay = 0
		return true
	end

	-- Already selecting the next member.
	member = separateControls and not motif.select_info.coopqueue and cmdIndex or selected
	local sel = p.t_selected[member]
	if sel == nil or sel.cursor == nil then
		return false
	end
	v = p.t_selCmd[separateControls and member or cmdIndex]
	resetSelectMember(side, member, sel.ref)
	p.t_selected[member] = nil
	if not separateControls or motif.select_info.coopqueue then
		for i = #p.t_selTemp, member + 1, -1 do
			p.t_selTemp[i] = nil
		end
	end
	v.selectState = 0
	p.selEnd = false
	p.screenDelay = 0
	restoreCursor = true
	return true
end

local function cancelPreviousSide(side)
	if side ~= 2 or not main.cpuSide[2] or not start.p[1].selEnd then
		return false
	end
	local cmdIndex = main.coop and #start.p[1].t_selected or 1
	if cancelSelectMember(1, cmdIndex) then
		local p = start.p[2]
		p.teamEnd = true
		p.selEnd = true
		p.t_selCmd, p.t_selTemp, p.t_cursor = {}, {}, {}
		p.screenDelay = 0
		return true
	end
	return false
end

start.needUpdateDrawList = false
function start.f_selectScreen()
	if (not main.selectMenu[1] and not main.selectMenu[2]) or selScreenEnd then
		return true
	end
	bgReset(motif.selectbgdef.BGDef)
	fadeInInit(motif.select_info.fadein.FadeData)
	local fadeOutStarted = false
	local function exitSelectScreen()
		sndPlay(motif.Snd, motif.select_info.cancel.snd[1], motif.select_info.cancel.snd[2])
		fadeOutInit(motif.select_info.fadeout.FadeData)
		fadeOutStarted = true
		start.escFlag = true
	end
	playBgm({source = "motif.select", interrupt = true})
	start.f_resetTempData(motif.select_info, 'face')
	f_snapCursor()
	local stageActiveCount = 0
	local stageActiveState = false
	timerSelect = 0
	start.escFlag = false
	local t_teamMenu = {{}, {}}
	local blinkCount = 0
	local counter = 0 - motif.select_info.fadein.time
	local timerReset = false
	local stageTextData = motif.select_info.stage.active.TextSpriteData
	local stageRef = main.t_selectableStages[stageListNo]

	-- Reset stage portrait animation if it was already seen when entering the select screen
	resetStagePortraitAnim(stageRef, 'anim_data')

	-- generate team mode items table
	for side = 1, 2 do
		-- read display names for the current gameMode (or default)
		local params = motif.select_info.teammenu.itemname.default
		if motif.select_info.teammenu.itemname[gameMode()] ~= nil then
			params = motif.select_info.teammenu.itemname[gameMode()]
		end
		-- read itemname_order for the current gameMode (or default)
		local itemname_order = motif.select_info.teammenu.itemname_order.default
		if motif.select_info.teammenu.itemname_order[gameMode()] ~= nil then
			itemname_order = motif.select_info.teammenu.itemname_order[gameMode()]
		end
		-- map itemname -> mode (kept from old defaults)
		local modeByName = {
			single = 0,
			simul  = 1,
			turns  = 2,
			tag    = 3,
		}
		-- itemname_order lists exactly what to render, in the correct order
		for _, name in ipairs(itemname_order) do
			local itemname = name
			local mode = modeByName[itemname]
			if mode ~= nil and main.teamMenu[side][itemname] then
				table.insert(t_teamMenu[side], {
					itemname    = itemname,
					displayname = params[itemname],
					mode        = mode,
				})
			end
		end
		hook.run("start.selectScreen.teamMenu", side, t_teamMenu[side], params, itemname_order)
	end

	textImgReset(motif.select_info.record.TextSpriteData)
	textImgSetText(motif.select_info.record.TextSpriteData, start.f_getRecordText())

	local staticDrawList = start.updateDrawList()
	start.needUpdateDrawList = false

	while not selScreenEnd do
		main.f_preloadTick(4)
		refreshActiveFacePortraits()
		counter = counter + 1
		--draw clearcolor
		clearColor(motif.selectbgdef.bgclearcolor[1], motif.selectbgdef.bgclearcolor[2], motif.selectbgdef.bgclearcolor[3])
		--draw layerno = 0 backgrounds
		bgDraw(motif.selectbgdef.BGDef, 0)
		--draw title
		textImgDraw(motif.select_info.title.TextSpriteData)
		--draw portraits
		for side = 1, 2 do
			if #start.p[side].t_selTemp > 0 then
				start.f_drawPortraits(start.p[side].t_selTemp, side, motif.select_info, 'face', true)
			end
		end
		--draw cell art
		if start.needUpdateDrawList then
			staticDrawList = start.updateDrawList()
			start.needUpdateDrawList = false 
		end
		for _, item in ipairs(staticDrawList) do
			animUpdate(item.anim)
		end
		batchDraw(staticDrawList)
		--team and select menu
		if blinkCount < motif.select_info.p2.cursor.switchtime then
			blinkCount = blinkCount + 1
		else
			blinkCount = 0
		end
		local screenDelayInterrupted = false
		for side = 1, 2 do
			if not start.p[side].teamEnd then
				start.f_teamMenu(side, t_teamMenu[side])
			elseif not start.p[side].selEnd then
				--for each player with active controls
				for k, v in ipairs(start.p[side].t_selCmd) do
					local member = main.f_tableLength(start.p[side].t_selected) + k
					local activeMember = true
					if main.coop and (side == 1 or gameMode('versuscoop')) then
						member = k
						if motif.select_info.coopqueue then
							activeMember = (k == main.f_tableLength(start.p[side].t_selected) + 1)
						end
					end
					--member selection
					local drawUpdateFlag
					if activeMember then
						v.selectState, drawUpdateFlag = start.f_selectMenu(side, v.cmd, v.player, member, v.selectState)
						if not start.p[side].inPalMenu and getInput(v.cmd, motif.select_info.cancel.key) then
							local selected = main.f_tableLength(start.p[side].t_selected)
							if cancelSelectMember(side, k) then
								timerSelect = motif.select_info.timer.displaytime
								sndPlay(motif.Snd, motif.select_info.cancel.snd[1], motif.select_info.cancel.snd[2])
								activeMember = false
							elseif selected == 0 then
								if teamMenuSelectable(t_teamMenu[side]) then
									start.p[side].teamEnd = false
									start.p[side].t_selCmd, start.p[side].t_selTemp, start.p[side].t_cursor = {}, {}, {}
									start.p[side].screenDelay = 0
									timerSelect = motif.select_info.timer.displaytime
									sndPlay(motif.Snd, motif.select_info.cancel.snd[1], motif.select_info.cancel.snd[2])
								elseif cancelPreviousSide(side) then
									timerSelect = motif.select_info.timer.displaytime
									sndPlay(motif.Snd, motif.select_info.cancel.snd[1], motif.select_info.cancel.snd[2])
								else
									exitSelectScreen()
								end
								activeMember = false
							end
						end
					end
					if drawUpdateFlag then
						start.needUpdateDrawList = true
					end
					--draw active cursor
					if activeMember then
						if side == 2 and motif.select_info.p2.cursor.blink then
							local sameCell = false
							for _, v2 in ipairs(start.p[1].t_selCmd) do							
								if start.c[v.player].cell == start.c[v2.player].cell and v.selectState == 0 and v2.selectState == 0 then
									if blinkCount == 0 then
										start.c[v.player].blink = not start.c[v.player].blink
									end
									sameCell = true
									break
								end
							end
							if not sameCell then
								start.c[v.player].blink = false
							end
						end
						local cursorState = 'active'
						if v.selectState > 0 and motif.select_info.paletteselect > 0 then
							local cursorData = motif.select_info['p' .. side].cursor
							if cursorData.preview and cursorData.preview.default and 
							(cursorData.preview.default.anim ~= -1 or cursorData.preview.default.spr[1] ~= -1) then
							--cursorState when palmenu is active
								cursorState = 'preview'
							else
								cursorState = 'done'
							end
						end
						if v.selectState < 4 and start.f_selGrid(start.c[v.player].cell + 1).hidden ~= 1 and not start.c[v.player].blink then
							start.f_drawCursor(v.player, start.c[v.player].selX, start.c[v.player].selY, cursorState, false)
						end
					end
				end
			end
			--draw done cursors
			local persist = motif.select_info['p' .. side].cursor.persist
			local totalSelected = #start.p[side].t_selected
			local drawnCells = {} -- Track drawn cells to avoid duplicates
			for k, v in pairs(start.p[side].t_selected) do
				if v.cursor ~= nil then
					--get cell coordinates
					local x = v.cursor[1]
					local y = v.cursor[2]
					local t = start.t_grid[y + 1][x + 1]
					--retrieve proper cell coordinates in case of random selection
					--TODO: doesn't work with slot feature
					--if (t.char == 'randomselect' or t.hidden == 3) --[[and not gameOption('Options.Team.Duplicates')]] then
					--	x = start.f_getCharData(v.ref).col - 1
					--	y = start.f_getCharData(v.ref).row - 1
					--	t = start.t_grid[y + 1][x + 1]
					--end
					--render only if cell is not hidden
					if t.hidden ~= 1 and t.hidden ~= 2 then
						local shouldDraw = false
						if main.coop or persist then
							shouldDraw = true
						end
						if start.p[side].selEnd and k == totalSelected then
							shouldDraw = true
						end
						if shouldDraw then
							local cellKey = x .. ',' .. y
							if not drawnCells[cellKey] then
								start.f_drawCursor(v.pn, x, y, 'done', true)
								drawnCells[cellKey] = true
							end
						end
					end
				end
			end
			--delayed screen transition for the duration of face_done_anim or selection sound
			if tickScreenDelay(side) then
				screenDelayInterrupted = true
			end
			if start.p[side].inPalMenu then
				local palActive = false
				if motif.select_info.paletteselect > 0 then
					for _, sv in ipairs(start.p[side].t_selCmd) do
						if sv.selectState == 1 then
							palActive = true
							break
						end
					end
				end
				if not palActive then
					start.p[side].inPalMenu = false
				end
			end
		end
		--Esc always exits; cancel goes back one step after character selection is complete
		if not start.escFlag and esc() then
			exitSelectScreen()
		elseif not start.escFlag and not fadeOutStarted
			and not (start.p[1].selEnd and start.p[2].selEnd and start.p[1].teamEnd and start.p[2].teamEnd) then
			for side = 2, 1, -1 do
				if start.p[side].selEnd and start.p[side].teamEnd then
					for k, v in ipairs(start.p[side].t_selCmd) do
						if getInput(v.cmd, motif.select_info.cancel.key) and cancelSelectMember(side, k) then
							timerSelect = motif.select_info.timer.displaytime
							sndPlay(motif.Snd, motif.select_info.cancel.snd[1], motif.select_info.cancel.snd[2])
							break
						end
					end
				end
			end
		elseif not start.escFlag and not fadeOutStarted
			and start.p[1].selEnd and start.p[2].selEnd and start.p[1].teamEnd and start.p[2].teamEnd then
			if main.stageMenu and stageEnd and getInput(-1, motif.select_info.cancel.key) then
				stageEnd = false
				stageTextData = motif.select_info.stage.active.TextSpriteData
				timerSelect = motif.select_info.timer.displaytime
				sndPlay(motif.Snd, motif.select_info.cancel.snd[1], motif.select_info.cancel.snd[2])
			else
				local cancelPressed = false
				local cancelHandled = false
				for side = 2, 1, -1 do
					for k, v in ipairs(start.p[side].t_selCmd) do
						if getInput(v.cmd, motif.select_info.cancel.key) then
							cancelPressed = true
							if cancelSelectMember(side, k) then
								timerSelect = motif.select_info.timer.displaytime
								if main.stageMenu then
									timerReset = false
									stageTextData = motif.select_info.stage.active.TextSpriteData
								end
								sndPlay(motif.Snd, motif.select_info.cancel.snd[1], motif.select_info.cancel.snd[2])
								cancelHandled = true
								break
							end
						end
					end
					if cancelHandled then
						break
					end
				end
				if not cancelHandled and (cancelPressed or (main.stageMenu and getInput(-1, motif.select_info.cancel.key))) then
					exitSelectScreen()
				end
			end
		end
		--draw names
		for side = 1, 2 do
			if #start.p[side].t_selTemp > 0 then
				for i = 1, #start.p[side].t_selTemp do
					if i <= motif.select_info['p' .. side].name.num then
						local name = ''
						if motif.select_info['p' .. side].name.num == 1 then
							name = start.f_getName(start.p[side].t_selTemp[#start.p[side].t_selTemp].ref, side)
						else
							name = start.f_getName(start.p[side].t_selTemp[i].ref, side)
						end
						textImgReset(motif.select_info['p' .. side].name.TextSpriteData)
						textImgAddPos(
							motif.select_info['p' .. side].name.TextSpriteData,
							(i - 1) * motif.select_info['p' .. side].name.spacing[1],
							(i - 1) * motif.select_info['p' .. side].name.spacing[2]
						)
						textImgSetText(motif.select_info['p' .. side].name.TextSpriteData, name)
						textImgDraw(motif.select_info['p' .. side].name.TextSpriteData)
					end
				end
			end
		end
		--team and character selection complete
		if start.p[1].selEnd and start.p[2].selEnd and start.p[1].teamEnd and start.p[2].teamEnd then
			restoreCursor = true
			if main.stageMenu and not stageEnd then --Stage select
				start.p[1].screenDelay, start.p[2].screenDelay = 0, 0
				start.f_stageMenu()
				if not timerReset then
					timerSelect = motif.select_info.timer.displaytime
					timerReset = true
				end
			elseif start.p[1].screenDelay <= 0 and start.p[2].screenDelay <= 0 and not fadeOutStarted then
				fadeOutInit(motif.select_info.fadeout.FadeData)
				fadeOutStarted = true
			end
			--draw stage portrait
			if main.stageMenu then
				--draw stage portrait background
				main.f_animPosDraw(motif.select_info.stage.portrait.bg.AnimData)
				--draw stage portrait (random)
				if stageListNo == 0 then
					main.f_animPosDraw(motif.select_info.stage.portrait.random.AnimData)
				--draw stage portrait loaded from stage SFF
				else
					stageRef = main.t_selectableStages[stageListNo]
					local portrait = motif.select_info.stage.portrait
					local anim = main.t_selStages[stageRef].anim_data
					local loadingPortrait = false
					if getStagePreloadStatus(stageRef) ~= 'ready' and hasPortraitAnim(portrait.loading) then
						portrait = portrait.loading
						anim = portrait.AnimData
						loadingPortrait = true
					end
					local x = motif.select_info.stage.pos[1]
					local y = motif.select_info.stage.pos[2]
					if not loadingPortrait then
						x = x + portrait.offset[1]
						y = y + portrait.offset[2]
					end
					main.f_animPosDraw(anim, x, y)
				end
				if not stageEnd then
					local canConfirmStage = (getInput(-1, motif.select_info.done.key) and not screenDelayInterrupted) or timerSelect == -1
					if canConfirmStage then
						local preloadReady = true
						if stageListNo > 0 then
							local stageRef = main.t_selectableStages[stageListNo]
							local state = getStagePreloadStatus(stageRef)
							preloadReady = state == 'ready'
							if not preloadReady then
								main.f_preloadBoostStage(stageRef)
							else
								if main.f_materializeStagePortrait(stageRef) then
									start.needUpdateDrawList = true
								end
							end
						end
						if not preloadReady and getInput(-1, motif.select_info.done.key) and not screenDelayInterrupted then
							sndPlay(motif.Snd, motif.select_info.cancel.snd[1], motif.select_info.cancel.snd[2])
						end
						if preloadReady then
							sndPlay(motif.Snd, motif.select_info.stage.done.snd[1], motif.select_info.stage.done.snd[2])
							stageTextData = motif.select_info.stage.done.TextSpriteData
							stageEnd = true
						end
					elseif stageActiveCount < motif.select_info.stage.active.switchtime then --delay change
						stageActiveCount = stageActiveCount + 1
					else
						if stageActiveState then
							stageActiveState = false
							stageTextData = motif.select_info.stage.active2.TextSpriteData
						else
							stageActiveState = true
							stageTextData = motif.select_info.stage.active.TextSpriteData
						end
						stageActiveCount = 0
					end
				end
				--draw stage name
				local stage_text = motif.select_info.stage.random.text
				if stageListNo ~= 0 then
					stage_text = main.f_formatBySpec(motif.select_info.stage.text, {i = stageListNo, s = main.t_selStages[main.t_selectableStages[stageListNo]].name})
				end
				textImgReset(stageTextData)
				textImgSetText(stageTextData, stage_text)
				textImgDraw(stageTextData)
			end
		else
			--draw record text
			textImgDraw(motif.select_info.record.TextSpriteData)
		end
		--draw timer
		if motif.select_info.timer.count ~= -1 and (not start.p[1].teamEnd or not start.p[2].teamEnd or not start.p[1].selEnd or not start.p[2].selEnd or (main.stageMenu and not stageEnd)) and counter >= 0 then
			timerSelect = main.f_drawTimer(timerSelect, motif.select_info.timer)
		end
		-- hook
		hook.run("start.f_selectScreen")
		--draw layerno = 1 backgrounds
		bgDraw(motif.selectbgdef.BGDef, 1)
		--frame transition
		if not fadeActive() and (fadeOutStarted or start.escFlag) then
			selScreenEnd = true
			break --skip last frame rendering
		end
		refresh()
	end
	return not start.escFlag
end

--;===========================================================
--; TEAM MENU
--;===========================================================
local t_teamActiveCount = {0, 0}
local t_teamActiveState = {false, false}

function start.f_teamMenu(side, t)
	if #t == 0 then
		start.p[side].teamEnd = true
		-- Team menu has no renderable entries (e.g. itemname_order hides them).
		-- Still allow character selection for this side if enabled.
		if not start.p[side].selEnd and #start.p[side].t_selCmd == 0 then
			table.insert(start.p[side].t_selCmd, {cmd = start.f_menuCmd(side), player = side, selectState = 0})
		end
		return
	end
	--skip selection if only 1 team mode is available and team size is fixed
	if not teamMenuSelectable(t) then
		if t[1].itemname == 'single' then
			start.p[side].numChars = 1
		elseif t[1].itemname == 'simul' then
			start.p[side].numChars = start.p[side].numSimul
		elseif t[1].itemname == 'turns' then
			start.p[side].numChars = start.p[side].numTurns
		elseif t[1].itemname == 'tag' then
			start.p[side].numChars = start.p[side].numTag
		end
		start.p[side].teamMode = t[1].mode
		start.p[side].teamEnd = true
	--otherwise display team mode selection
	else
		--Commands
		local t_cmd = {}
		if main.coop then
			for i = 1, gameOption('Config.Players') do
				if not gameMode('versuscoop') or (i - 1) % 2 + 1 == side then
					table.insert(t_cmd, i)
				end
			end
		else
			t_cmd = {start.f_menuCmd(side)}
		end
		--Calculate team cursor position
		if start.p[side].teamMenu > #t then
			start.p[side].teamMenu = 1
		end
		if #t > 1 and getInput(t_cmd, motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu.previous.key) then
			if start.p[side].teamMenu > 1 then
				sndPlay(motif.Snd, motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu.move.snd[1], motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu.move.snd[2])
				start.p[side].teamMenu = start.p[side].teamMenu - 1
			elseif motif.select_info.teammenu.move.wrapping then
				sndPlay(motif.Snd, motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu.move.snd[1], motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu.move.snd[2])
				start.p[side].teamMenu = #t
			end
		elseif #t > 1 and getInput(t_cmd, motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu.next.key) then
			if start.p[side].teamMenu < #t then
				sndPlay(motif.Snd, motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu.move.snd[1], motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu.move.snd[2])
				start.p[side].teamMenu = start.p[side].teamMenu + 1
			elseif motif.select_info.teammenu.move.wrapping then
				sndPlay(motif.Snd, motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu.move.snd[1], motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu.move.snd[2])
				start.p[side].teamMenu = 1
			end
		else
			local handled = hook.runFirst("start.f_teamMenu.input", side, t, t_cmd)
			if handled then
				-- handled by external module
			elseif t[start.p[side].teamMenu].itemname == 'simul' then
				if getInput(t_cmd, motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu.subtract.key) then
					if start.p[side].numSimul > main.numSimul[1] then
						sndPlay(motif.Snd, motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu.value.snd[1], motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu.value.snd[2])
						start.p[side].numSimul = start.p[side].numSimul - 1
					end
				elseif getInput(t_cmd, motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu.add.key) then
					if start.p[side].numSimul < main.numSimul[2] then
						sndPlay(motif.Snd, motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu.value.snd[1], motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu.value.snd[2])
						start.p[side].numSimul = start.p[side].numSimul + 1
					end
				end
			elseif t[start.p[side].teamMenu].itemname == 'turns' then
				if getInput(t_cmd, motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu.subtract.key) then
					if start.p[side].numTurns > main.numTurns[1] then
						sndPlay(motif.Snd, motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu.value.snd[1], motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu.value.snd[2])
						start.p[side].numTurns = start.p[side].numTurns - 1
					end
				elseif getInput(t_cmd, motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu.add.key) then
					if start.p[side].numTurns < main.numTurns[2] then
						sndPlay(motif.Snd, motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu.value.snd[1], motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu.value.snd[2])
						start.p[side].numTurns = start.p[side].numTurns + 1
					end
				end
			elseif t[start.p[side].teamMenu].itemname == 'tag' then
				if getInput(t_cmd, motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu.subtract.key) then
					if start.p[side].numTag > main.numTag[1] then
						sndPlay(motif.Snd, motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu.value.snd[1], motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu.value.snd[2])
						start.p[side].numTag = start.p[side].numTag - 1
					end
				elseif getInput(t_cmd, motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu.add.key) then
					if start.p[side].numTag < main.numTag[2] then
						sndPlay(motif.Snd, motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu.value.snd[1], motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu.value.snd[2])
						start.p[side].numTag = start.p[side].numTag + 1
					end
				end
			end
		end
		--Cancel is only a hard exit on the first team's root menu.
		if not start.escFlag and getInput(t_cmd, motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu.cancel.key) then
			local backed = cancelPreviousSide(side)
			sndPlay(motif.Snd, motif.select_info.cancel.snd[1], motif.select_info.cancel.snd[2])
			if backed then
				timerSelect = motif.select_info.timer.displaytime
			else
				fadeOutInit(motif.select_info.fadeout.FadeData)
				start.escFlag = true
			end
		end
		--Draw team background
		main.f_animPosDraw(motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu.bg.default.AnimData)
		--Draw team title
		if side == 2 and main.cpuSide[2] then
			main.f_animPosDraw(motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu.enemytitle.AnimData)
			textImgDraw(motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu.enemytitle.TextSpriteData)
		else
			main.f_animPosDraw(motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu.selftitle.AnimData)
			textImgDraw(motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu.selftitle.TextSpriteData)
		end
		--Draw team cursor
		main.f_animPosDraw(
			motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu.item.cursor.AnimData,
			(start.p[side].teamMenu - 1) * motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu.item.spacing[1],
			(start.p[side].teamMenu - 1) * motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu.item.spacing[2]
		)
		local teammenu = motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu
		local itemCfg = teammenu.item
		local valueCfg = teammenu.value
		local spacingX, spacingY = itemCfg.spacing[1], itemCfg.spacing[2]
		local uppercase = itemCfg.uppercase
		local gm = gameMode()
		for i = 1, #t do
			local x = (i - 1) * spacingX
			local y = (i - 1) * spacingY
			local itemname = t[i].itemname
			local itemText = main.f_itemnameUpper(t[i].displayname, uppercase)
			local textData = itemCfg.TextSpriteData
			--Draw team items
			if i == start.p[side].teamMenu then
				if t_teamActiveCount[side] < itemCfg.active.switchtime then --delay change
					t_teamActiveCount[side] = t_teamActiveCount[side] + 1
				else
					if t_teamActiveState[side] then
						t_teamActiveState[side] = false
					else
						t_teamActiveState[side] = true
					end
					t_teamActiveCount[side] = 0
				end
				--Draw team active item background
				if teammenu.active.bg[gm .. '-' .. itemname] ~= nil then
					main.f_animPosDraw(teammenu.active.bg[gm .. '-' .. itemname].AnimData)
				elseif teammenu.active.bg[itemname] ~= nil then
					main.f_animPosDraw(teammenu.active.bg[itemname].AnimData)
				end
				--Draw team active item font
				if t_teamActiveState[side] then
					textData = itemCfg.active2.TextSpriteData
				else
					textData = itemCfg.active.TextSpriteData
				end
			else
				--Draw team not active item background
				if teammenu.bg[gm .. '-' .. itemname] ~= nil then
					main.f_animPosDraw(teammenu.bg[gm .. '-' .. itemname].AnimData)
				elseif teammenu.bg[itemname] ~= nil then
					main.f_animPosDraw(teammenu.bg[itemname].AnimData)
				end
			end
			--Draw item font
			textImgReset(textData)
			textImgAddPos(textData, x, y)
			textImgSetText(textData, itemText)
			textImgDraw(textData)
			--Draw team icons
			if itemname == 'simul' then
				for j = 1, main.numSimul[2] do
					local vx = x + (j - 1) * valueCfg.spacing[1]
					local vy = y + (j - 1) * valueCfg.spacing[2]
					if j <= start.p[side].numSimul then
						main.f_animPosDraw(valueCfg.icon.AnimData, vx, vy)
					else
						main.f_animPosDraw(valueCfg.empty.icon.AnimData, vx, vy)
					end
				end
			elseif itemname == 'turns' then
				for j = 1, main.numTurns[2] do
					local vx = x + (j - 1) * valueCfg.spacing[1]
					local vy = y + (j - 1) * valueCfg.spacing[2]
					if j <= start.p[side].numTurns then
						main.f_animPosDraw(valueCfg.icon.AnimData, vx, vy)
					else
						main.f_animPosDraw(valueCfg.empty.icon.AnimData, vx, vy)
					end
				end
			elseif itemname == 'tag' then
				for j = 1, main.numTag[2] do
					local vx = x + (j - 1) * valueCfg.spacing[1]
					local vy = y + (j - 1) * valueCfg.spacing[2]
					if j <= start.p[side].numTag then
						main.f_animPosDraw(valueCfg.icon.AnimData, vx, vy)
					else
						main.f_animPosDraw(valueCfg.empty.icon.AnimData, vx, vy)
					end
				end
			else
				hook.runFirst("start.f_teamMenu.drawItemValue", side, t, i, x, y, valueCfg)
			end
		end
		--Confirmed team selection
		if getInput(t_cmd, motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu.done.key) or timerSelect == -1 then
			timerSelect = motif.select_info.timer.displaytime
			start.p[1].screenDelay, start.p[2].screenDelay = 0, 0
			sndPlay(motif.Snd, motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu.done.snd[1], motif.select_info['p' .. side].teammenu.done.snd[2])
			local confirmData = hook.runFirst("start.f_teamMenu.confirm", side, t, t_cmd)
			if confirmData ~= nil then
				local defaultMode = t[start.p[side].teamMenu].mode
				local teamMode = confirmData.teamMode or defaultMode
				local numChars = confirmData.numChars or start.p[side].numChars
				for k, v in pairs(confirmData) do
					start.p[side][k] = v
				end
				start.p[side].teamMode = teamMode
				start.p[side].numChars = numChars
			elseif t[start.p[side].teamMenu].itemname == 'single' then
				start.p[side].teamMode = t[start.p[side].teamMenu].mode
				start.p[side].numChars = 1
			elseif t[start.p[side].teamMenu].itemname == 'simul' then
				start.p[side].teamMode = t[start.p[side].teamMenu].mode
				start.p[side].numChars = start.p[side].numSimul
			elseif t[start.p[side].teamMenu].itemname == 'turns' then
				start.p[side].teamMode = t[start.p[side].teamMenu].mode
				start.p[side].numChars = start.p[side].numTurns
			elseif t[start.p[side].teamMenu].itemname == 'tag' then
				start.p[side].teamMode = t[start.p[side].teamMenu].mode
				start.p[side].numChars = start.p[side].numTag
			end
			start.p[side].teamEnd = true
		end
	end
	--t_selCmd table appending once team mode selection is finished
	if start.p[side].teamEnd then
		if main.coop and (side == 1 or gameMode('versuscoop')) then
			for i = 1, start.p[side].numChars do
				if gameMode('versuscoop') then
					if side == 1 then
						table.insert(start.p[side].t_selCmd, {cmd = getRemapInput(i * 2 - 1), player = start.f_getPlayerNo(side, #start.p[side].t_selCmd + 1), selectState = 0})
					else
						table.insert(start.p[side].t_selCmd, {cmd = getRemapInput(i * 2), player = start.f_getPlayerNo(side, #start.p[side].t_selCmd + 1), selectState = 0})
					end
				else
					table.insert(start.p[1].t_selCmd, {cmd = getRemapInput(i), player = start.f_getPlayerNo(side, #start.p[1].t_selCmd + 1), selectState = 0})
				end
			end
		else
			table.insert(start.p[side].t_selCmd, {cmd = start.f_menuCmd(side), player = start.f_getPlayerNo(side, #start.p[side].t_selCmd + 1), selectState = 0})
		end
	end
end

--===========================================================
--; PALETTE SELECT
--===========================================================
LoadedPals = {}
-- Tracks which characters have already had their palettes loaded to avoid redundant loading
local function ifCharPalsLoaded(ref)
	for _, v in ipairs(LoadedPals) do
		if v == ref then
			return true
		end
	end
	table.insert(LoadedPals, ref)
	return false
end
-- Loads palettes for a character if needed, prepares the animation, and applies the palette
function start.loadPalettes(a, ref, pal)
	if not ifCharPalsLoaded(ref) then
		animLoadPalettes(a, ref)
	end
	local srcAnim = a
	a = animPrepare(a, ref)
	animApplyVel(a, srcAnim)
	a = animSetColorPalette(a, pal)
	return a
end

--===========================================================
-- Draw Palette Menu
--===========================================================
function start.f_palMenuDraw(side, member, curIdx, validIdx ,maxIdx)
	local charData = start.f_getCharData(start.p[side].t_selTemp[member].ref)
	if not charData or not charData.pal then return end
	local palIndex = start.p[side].t_selTemp[member].pal
	local totalPals = #charData.pal
	local pn = 2 * (member - 1) + side
	local pCfg = f_getMotifP(motif.select_info, pn, side)
	local displayText = (curIdx == maxIdx) and pCfg.palmenu.random.text or tostring(validIdx)
	-- bg
	main.f_animPosDraw(pCfg.palmenu.bg.AnimData)
	-- draw number
	textImgReset(pCfg.palmenu.number.TextSpriteData)
	textImgSetText(pCfg.palmenu.number.TextSpriteData, displayText)
	textImgDraw(pCfg.palmenu.number.TextSpriteData)
	-- draw text
	textImgReset(pCfg.palmenu.text.TextSpriteData)
	textImgDraw(pCfg.palmenu.text.TextSpriteData)
end

--returns a random palette (using synced RNG)
function start.f_randomPal(charRef, validPals)
	start.shufflePals = start.shufflePals or {}
	start.shufflePals[charRef] = start.shufflePals[charRef] or {}

	if #start.shufflePals[charRef] == 0 then
		local last = start.lastRandomPal and start.lastRandomPal[charRef]
		local t = {}
		for _, v in ipairs(validPals) do
			table.insert(t, v)
		end
		start.f_shuffleTable(t, last)
		start.shufflePals[charRef] = t
	end
	-- draw one palette from the bag
	local result = table.remove(start.shufflePals[charRef])
	-- store last drawn palette
	start.lastRandomPal = start.lastRandomPal or {}
	start.lastRandomPal[charRef] = result
	return result
end

local function resolvePalConflict(side, charRef, pal)
	local charData = start.f_getCharData(charRef)
	if not charData or not charData.pal then
		return pal
	end
	local usedPals = {}
	for s = 1, 2 do
		for _, sel in ipairs(start.p[s].t_selected) do
			if sel.ref == charRef and sel.pal then
				usedPals[sel.pal] = true
			end
		end
	end
	-- if the chosen palette is not used, keep it
	if not usedPals[pal] then
		return validatePal(pal, charRef)
	end
	-- if it's in use, try to find the next free one
	local maxPal = gameOption('Config.PaletteMax')
	for i = pal + 1, maxPal do
	if not usedPals[i] then
			return validatePal(i, charRef)
		end
	end
	for i = 1, pal - 1 do
		if not usedPals[i] then
			return validatePal(i, charRef)
		end
	end

	return validatePal(pal, charRef)
end

local function applyPalette(sel, charData, palIndex)
	if sel.face_data then
		local srcAnim = sel.face_data
		sel.face_data = animSetColorPalette(sel.face_data, palIndex)
	end
	if sel.face2_data then
		local srcAnim = sel.face2_data
		sel.face2_data = animSetColorPalette(sel.face2_data, palIndex)
	end
end

-- palette select menu
function start.f_palMenu(side, cmd, player, member, selectState)
	local st = start.p[side].t_selTemp[member]
	local charRef = st.ref
	local charData = start.f_getCharData(charRef)
	local pn = 2 * (member - 1) + side
	local pCfg = f_getMotifP(motif.select_info, pn, side)
	-- initialize palette list and index if character changed or not yet set
	if st.validPalsCharRef ~= charRef or not st.validPals then
		local valid, seen, cur = {}, {}, validatePal(1, charRef)
		valid[1], seen[cur] = cur, true
		for i = 1, #charData.pal do
			local nextp = validatePal(cur + 1, charRef)
			if seen[nextp] then break end
			table.insert(valid, nextp)
			seen[nextp], cur = true, nextp
		end
		st.validPals, st.validPalsCharRef = valid, charRef
		-- set current index to match current palette (or default to first)
		local curPal = st.pal or valid[1]
		st.currentIdx = 1
		for i, p in ipairs(valid) do
			if p == curPal then st.currentIdx = i; break end
		end
	end

	local validPals = st.validPals
	local curIdx = st.currentIdx or 1
	local pal = st.pal or validPals[curIdx]
	local maxIdx = #validPals + 1
	start.p[side].inPalMenu = true

	-- accept selection
	local autoConfirm = #validPals <= 1
	if autoConfirm or getInput(cmd, motif.select_info['p' .. side].palmenu.done.key) or timerSelect == -1 then
		-- TODO: There's an issue here where when the palette is selected there will be 1 frame without any cursor
		-- Since the "done" cursor only appears in the next frame
		pal = (curIdx == maxIdx) and (start.c[player].randPalPreview or start.f_randomPal(charRef, validPals)) or validPals[curIdx]
		st.pal, st.currentIdx = pal, curIdx

		-- done anim after pal confirmation - primary face
		local done_anim = pCfg.face.done.anim
		local done_spr = pCfg.face.done.spr
		local preview_anim = pCfg.palmenu.preview.anim
		if done_anim ~= preview_anim or done_spr[1] ~= -1 then
			if (st.face_anim ~= done_anim or done_spr[1] ~= -1) and ((main.coop and not motif.select_info.coopqueue) or motif.select_info['p' .. side].face.num > 1 or main.f_tableLength(start.p[side].t_selected) + 1 == start.p[side].numChars) then
				local a = start.f_animGet(start.c[player].selRef, side, member, pCfg.face.done, pCfg.face, false, st.face_data)
				if a then
					st.face_data = start.loadPalettes(a, charRef, pal)
					animUpdate(st.face_data)
					start.p[side].screenDelay = math.min(120, math.max(start.p[side].screenDelay, animGetLength(st.face_data)))
				end
			end
		end

		-- face2 "done" anim after pal confirmation
		local done_anim2 = pCfg.face2.done.anim
		if st.face2_anim ~= done_anim2 and ((main.coop and not motif.select_info.coopqueue) or motif.select_info['p' .. side].face2.num > 1 or main.f_tableLength(start.p[side].t_selected) + 1 == start.p[side].numChars) then
			local a = start.f_animGet(start.c[player].selRef, side, member, pCfg.face2.done, pCfg.face2, false, st.face2_data)
			if a then
				st.face2_data = start.loadPalettes(a, charRef, pal)
				animUpdate(st.face2_data)
				start.p[side].screenDelay = math.min(120, math.max(start.p[side].screenDelay, animGetLength(st.face2_data)))
			end
		end
		selectState = 3
		start.f_playWave(start.c[player].selRef, 'cursor', motif.select_info['p' .. side].select.snd[1], motif.select_info['p' .. side].select.snd[2])
		-- Skip cursor sound for auto-confirmation, since we already played the select character confirmation sound
		if not autoConfirm then
			sndPlay(motif.Snd, motif.select_info['p' .. side].palmenu.done.snd[1], motif.select_info['p' .. side].palmenu.done.snd[2])
		end
	 -- next palette
	elseif getInput(cmd, motif.select_info['p' .. side].palmenu.next.key) then
		curIdx = (curIdx == maxIdx) and 1 or curIdx + 1
		st.currentIdx = curIdx
		if curIdx < maxIdx then
			applyPalette(st, charData, validPals[curIdx])
		end
		sndPlay(motif.Snd, motif.select_info['p' .. side].palmenu.value.snd[1], motif.select_info['p' .. side].palmenu.value.snd[2])
	-- previous palette
	elseif getInput(cmd, motif.select_info['p' .. side].palmenu.previous.key) then
		curIdx = (curIdx == 1) and maxIdx or curIdx - 1
		st.currentIdx = curIdx
		if curIdx < maxIdx then
			applyPalette(st, charData, validPals[curIdx])
		end
		sndPlay(motif.Snd, motif.select_info['p' .. side].palmenu.value.snd[1], motif.select_info['p' .. side].palmenu.value.snd[2])
	-- cancel
	elseif getInput(cmd, motif.select_info['p' .. side].palmenu.cancel.key) then
		resetSelectMember(side, member, charRef)
		selectState = 0
		sndPlay(motif.Snd, motif.select_info['p' .. side].palmenu.cancel.snd[1], motif.select_info['p' .. side].palmenu.cancel.snd[2])
	end
	-- random hotkey
	if getInput(cmd, motif.select_info['p' .. side].palmenu.random.key) then
		curIdx, st.currentIdx = maxIdx, maxIdx
	end
	-- random preview update
	if st.currentIdx == maxIdx then
		if not start.c[player].randPalCnt or start.c[player].randPalCnt <= 0 then
			start.c[player].randPalCnt = motif.select_info.palmenu.random.switchtime
			start.c[player].randPalPreview = start.f_randomPal(charRef, validPals)
			if motif.select_info.palmenu.random.applypal then
				applyPalette(st, charData, start.c[player].randPalPreview)
			else
				applyPalette(st, charData, 1)
			end
			sndPlay(motif.Snd, motif.select_info['p' .. side].palmenu.value.snd[1], motif.select_info['p' .. side].palmenu.value.snd[2])
		else
			start.c[player].randPalCnt = start.c[player].randPalCnt - 1
		end
	end
	start.f_palMenuDraw(side, member, curIdx, validPals[curIdx], maxIdx)
	return selectState
end

--;===========================================================
--; SELECT MENU
--;===========================================================
function start.f_selectMenu(side, cmd, player, member, selectState)
	local needUpdateDrawList = false
	--predefined selection
	if main.forceChar[side] ~= nil then
		local t = {}
		for _, v in ipairs(main.forceChar[side]) do
			if t[v] == nil then
				t[v] = ''
			end
			table.insert(start.p[side].t_selected, {
				ref = v,
				pal = start.f_selectPal(v),
				--pn = start.f_getPlayerNo(side, #start.p[side].t_selected + 1),
				--cursor = = {},
			})
		end
		start.p[side].selEnd = true
		return 0, false
	--manual selection
	elseif not start.p[side].selEnd then
		local pn = 2 * (member - 1) + side
		local pCfg = f_getMotifP(motif.select_info, pn, side)
		--cell not selected yet
		if selectState == 0 then
			--restore cursor coordinates
			if restoreCursor then
				-- remove entries if stored cursors exceeds team size
				if #start.p[side].t_cursor > start.p[side].numChars then
					for i = #start.p[side].t_cursor, start.p[side].numChars + 1, -1 do
						start.p[side].t_cursor[i] = nil
					end
				end
				-- restore saved position
				if start.p[side].t_cursor[member] ~= nil then
					local selX = start.p[side].t_cursor[member].x
					local selY = start.p[side].t_cursor[member].y
					if gameOption('Options.Team.Duplicates') or t_reservedChars[side][start.t_grid[selY + 1][selX + 1].char_ref] == nil then
						start.c[player].selX = selX
						start.c[player].selY = selY
					end
					start.p[side].t_cursor[member] = nil
				end
			end
			--calculate current position
			start.c[player].selX, start.c[player].selY = start.f_cellMovement(start.c[player].selX, start.c[player].selY, cmd, side, start.f_getCursorData(player).cursor.move.snd)
			start.c[player].cell = start.c[player].selX + motif.select_info.columns * start.c[player].selY
			start.c[player].selRef = start.f_selGrid(start.c[player].cell + 1).char_ref
			main.f_preloadSetCharHighlight(player, start.c[player].selRef)
			-- temp data not existing yet
			if start.p[side].t_selTemp[member] == nil then
				t_portraitPriority[side] = member
				table.insert(start.p[side].t_selTemp, {
					ref = start.c[player].selRef,
					cell = start.c[player].cell,
					inRandom = false,
					slotConfirmed = false,
					face_anim = pCfg.face.anim,
					face_data = start.f_animGet(start.c[player].selRef, side, member, pCfg.face, nil, true),
					face2_anim = pCfg.face2.anim,
					face2_data = start.f_animGet(start.c[player].selRef, side, member, pCfg.face2, nil, true),
				})
			else
				local updateAnim = false
				local slotSelected,slotChanged = start.f_slotSelected(start.c[player].cell + 1, side, cmd, player, start.c[player].selX, start.c[player].selY)
				local timerExpired = motif.select_info.timer.count ~= -1 and timerSelect == -1
				needUpdateDrawList = slotChanged
				local velCopy = false
				if slotChanged then
					start.c[player].selRef = start.f_selGrid(start.c[player].cell + 1).char_ref
				end
				if timerExpired then
					if start.c[player].selRef == nil or main.t_selChars[start.c[player].selRef + 1] == nil then
						start.c[player].selRef = start.f_randomChar(side)
					end
				end
				-- cursor changed position or character change within current slot
				if start.p[side].t_selTemp[member].cell ~= start.c[player].cell or start.p[side].t_selTemp[member].ref ~= start.c[player].selRef then
					if start.p[side].t_selTemp[member].cell ~= start.c[player].cell then
						t_portraitPriority[side] = member
					end
					--start.p[side].t_selTemp[member].pal = 1
					start.p[side].t_selTemp[member].ref = start.c[player].selRef
					start.p[side].t_selTemp[member].cell = start.c[player].cell
					start.p[side].t_selTemp[member].face_anim = pCfg.face.anim
					start.p[side].t_selTemp[member].face2_anim = pCfg.face2.anim
					if start.f_getCursorData(player).cursor.reset then
						resetCursorData(player, 'active')
					end
					updateAnim = true
				end
				-- cursor at randomselect cell
				if start.f_selGrid(start.c[player].cell + 1).char == 'randomselect' or start.f_selGrid(start.c[player].cell + 1).hidden == 3 then
					local wasRandom = start.p[side].t_selTemp[member].inRandom
					start.p[side].t_selTemp[member].inRandom = true
					velCopy = wasRandom
					-- re-entering random slot: reset random overlay anims so sliding restarts
					if not wasRandom then
						local pData = pCfg
						if pData.face2.random then
							animReset(pData.face2.random.AnimData)
							animUpdate(pData.face2.random.AnimData)
						end
						if pData.face.random then
							animReset(pData.face.random.AnimData)
							animUpdate(pData.face.random.AnimData)
						end
					end
					if start.c[player].randCnt > 0 then
						start.c[player].randCnt = start.c[player].randCnt - 1
						start.c[player].selRef = start.c[player].randRef
					else
						if motif.select_info.random.move.snd.cancel then
							sndStop(motif.Snd, start.f_getCursorData(player).random.move.snd[1], start.f_getCursorData(player).random.move.snd[2])
						end
						sndPlay(motif.Snd, start.f_getCursorData(player).random.move.snd[1], start.f_getCursorData(player).random.move.snd[2])
						start.c[player].randCnt = motif.select_info.cell.random.switchtime
						start.c[player].selRef = start.f_randomChar(side)
						if start.c[player].randRef ~= start.c[player].selRef or start.p[side].t_selTemp[member].face_data == nil then
							updateAnim = true
							start.c[player].randRef = start.c[player].selRef
						end
					end
				else
					start.p[side].t_selTemp[member].inRandom = false
				end
				main.f_preloadSetCharHighlight(player, start.c[player].selRef)
				-- update anim data
				if updateAnim then
					local face_data = velCopy and start.p[side].t_selTemp[member].face_data or nil
					local face2_data = velCopy and start.p[side].t_selTemp[member].face2_data or nil
					start.p[side].t_selTemp[member].face_data = start.f_animGet(start.c[player].selRef, side, member, pCfg.face, nil, true, face_data)
					start.p[side].t_selTemp[member].face2_data = start.f_animGet(start.c[player].selRef, side, member, pCfg.face2, nil, true, face2_data)
				end
				-- cell selected or select screen timer reached 0
				local canConfirm = (slotSelected and start.f_selGrid(start.c[player].cell + 1).char ~= nil and start.f_selGrid(start.c[player].cell + 1).hidden ~= 2) or timerExpired
				if canConfirm then
					local preloadReady = true
					if start.c[player].selRef ~= nil then
						local state = getCharPreloadStatus(start.c[player].selRef)
						preloadReady = state == 'ready'
						if not preloadReady then
							main.f_preloadBoostChar(start.c[player].selRef)
						else
							main.f_materializeCharByRef(start.c[player].selRef)
						end
					end
					if not preloadReady then
						if slotSelected then
							sndPlay(motif.Snd, motif.select_info.cancel.snd[1], motif.select_info.cancel.snd[2])
						end
						canConfirm = false
					end
				end
				if canConfirm then
					if motif.select_info.paletteselect ~= 0 then
						timerSelect = motif.select_info.timer.displaytime
					end
					sndPlay(motif.Snd, start.f_getCursorData(player).cursor.done.default.snd[1], start.f_getCursorData(player).cursor.done.default.snd[2])
					if motif.select_info.paletteselect == 0 then
						start.f_playWave(start.c[player].selRef, 'cursor', motif.select_info['p' .. side].select.snd[1], motif.select_info['p' .. side].select.snd[2])
					end
					if motif.select_info.paletteselect > 0 then
						resetCursorData(player, 'done')
					end
					start.p[side].t_selTemp[member].pal = main.f_btnPalNo(cmd)
					start.p[side].t_selTemp[member].inRandom = false
					start.p[side].t_selTemp[member].slotConfirmed = true
					if not gameOption('Options.Team.Duplicates') then
						t_reservedChars[side][start.c[player].selRef] = true
					end
					if start.p[side].t_selTemp[member].pal == nil or start.p[side].t_selTemp[member].pal == 0 then
						start.p[side].t_selTemp[member].pal = 1
					end
					-- done anim helper
					local function setDoneAnim(ref, side, member, params, velParams, targetField)
						local a = start.f_animGet(ref, side, member, params, velParams, false, start.p[side].t_selTemp[member][targetField])
						if a then
							start.p[side].t_selTemp[member][targetField] = a
							start.p[side].screenDelay = math.min(120, math.max(start.p[side].screenDelay, animGetLength(a)))
						end
					end
					-- if select anim differs from done anim and coop or pX.face.num allows to display more than 1 portrait or it's the last team member
					local done_anim = pCfg.face.done.anim
					local done_anim2 = pCfg.face2.done.anim
					local done_spr = pCfg.face.done.spr
					local palmenu_preview_anim = pCfg.palmenu.preview.anim
					local palmenu_preview_spr = pCfg.palmenu.preview.spr
					local face_anim = start.p[side].t_selTemp[member].face_anim
					local face2_anim = start.p[side].t_selTemp[member].face2_anim
					local canShow = (main.coop and not motif.select_info.coopqueue) or motif.select_info['p' .. side].face.num > 1 or main.f_tableLength(start.p[side].t_selected) + 1 == start.p[side].numChars
					local canShow2 = (main.coop and not motif.select_info.coopqueue) or motif.select_info['p' .. side].face2.num > 1 or main.f_tableLength(start.p[side].t_selected) + 1 == start.p[side].numChars
					-- primary face "done" / preview
					if canShow then
						if motif.select_info.paletteselect == 0 then
							if (face_anim ~= done_anim or done_spr[1] ~= -1) and (done_anim ~= -1 or done_spr[1] ~= -1) then
								setDoneAnim(start.c[player].selRef, side, member, pCfg.face.done, pCfg.face, 'face_data')
							end
						elseif palmenu_preview_anim ~= -1 or palmenu_preview_spr[1] ~= -1 then
							start.f_playWave(start.c[player].selRef, 'cursor', motif.select_info['p' .. side].palmenu.preview.snd[1], motif.select_info['p' .. side].palmenu.preview.snd[2])
							setDoneAnim(start.c[player].selRef, side, member, pCfg.palmenu.preview, pCfg.face, 'face_data')
						end
					end
					-- face2 "done" anim
					if face2_anim ~= done_anim and canShow2 and done_anim2 ~= -1 then
						setDoneAnim(start.c[player].selRef, side, member, pCfg.face2.done, pCfg.face2, 'face2_data')
					end

					start.p[side].t_selTemp[member].ref = start.c[player].selRef
					local charRef = start.p[side].t_selTemp[member].ref
					local charData = start.f_getCharData(charRef)
					local pal = start.p[side].t_selTemp[member].pal
					local finalPal

					if motif.select_info.paletteselect == 1 then
						finalPal = 1
					elseif motif.select_info.paletteselect == 2 then
						finalPal = pal
					elseif motif.select_info.paletteselect == 3 then
						finalPal = start.f_keyPalMap(charRef, pal)
					else
						finalPal = start.f_keyPalMap(charRef, pal)
					end

					-- resolve visual palette conflict
					finalPal = resolvePalConflict(side, charRef, finalPal)

					if motif.select_info.paletteselect > 0 then
						start.p[side].t_selTemp[member].pal = finalPal
					end

					if start.p[side].t_selTemp[member].face_data ~= nil then
						local applyFlag = pCfg.face.applypal
						if applyFlag then
							start.p[side].t_selTemp[member].face_data = start.loadPalettes(start.p[side].t_selTemp[member].face_data, charRef, finalPal)
							animUpdate(start.p[side].t_selTemp[member].face_data)
						end
					end
					if start.p[side].t_selTemp[member].face2_data ~= nil then
						local applyFlag = pCfg.face2.applypal
						if applyFlag then
							start.p[side].t_selTemp[member].face2_data = start.loadPalettes(start.p[side].t_selTemp[member].face2_data, charRef, finalPal)
							animUpdate(start.p[side].t_selTemp[member].face2_data)
						end
					end
					selectState = 1
				end
			end
		--selection menu
		elseif selectState == 1 then
			if motif.select_info.paletteselect and motif.select_info.paletteselect > 0 then
				selectState = start.f_palMenu(side, cmd, player, member, selectState)
			else
				selectState = 3
			end
		--confirm selection
		elseif selectState == 3 then
			local valid = {1,2,3}
			local finalPal
			for _, v in ipairs(valid) do
				if motif.select_info.paletteselect == v then
					finalPal = start.p[side].t_selTemp[member].pal
					start.p[side].inPalMenu = false
					break
				end
			end
			finalPal = finalPal or start.f_selectPal(start.c[player].selRef, start.p[side].t_selTemp[member].pal)
			finalPal = resolvePalConflict(side, start.c[player].selRef, finalPal)
			applyPalette(start.p[side].t_selTemp[member], start.f_getCharData(start.c[player].selRef), finalPal)
			start.p[side].t_selected[member] = {
				ref = start.c[player].selRef,
				pal = finalPal,
				pn = start.f_getPlayerNo(side, member),
				cursor = {start.c[player].selX, start.c[player].selY},
			}
			main.f_preloadSetCharHighlight(player, nil)
			hook.run("start.f_selectMenu.selected", side, member, start.p[side].t_selected[member], start.p[side], player)
			if not gameOption('Options.Team.Duplicates') then
				t_reservedChars[side][start.c[player].selRef] = true
			end
			-- If we just confirmed a pick while hovering Random Select, force the random preview to advance for the next team member.
			-- This prevents mashing select from picking the same random character repeatedly.
			local cellIdx = (start.c[player].cell or -1) + 1
			if cellIdx > 0 then
				local g = start.f_selGrid(cellIdx)
				if g.char == 'randomselect' or g.hidden == 3 then
					start.c[player].randCnt = 0
					start.c[player].randRef = nil
				end
			end
			start.p[side].t_cursor[member] = {x = start.c[player].selX, y = start.c[player].selY}
			if main.f_tableLength(start.p[side].t_selected) == start.p[side].numChars then --if all characters have been chosen
				if side == 1 and main.cpuSide[2] and start.reset then --if player1 is allowed to select p2 characters
					start.p[2].selEnd = not main.selectMenu[2]
					start.p[2].t_selCmd = {}
					if timerSelect == -1 then
						start.p[2].teamMode = start.p[1].teamMode
						start.p[2].numChars = start.p[1].numChars
						start.c[2].cell = start.c[1].cell
						start.c[2].selX = start.c[1].selX
						start.c[2].selY = start.c[1].selY
						start.p[2].teamEnd = false
					else
						start.p[2].teamEnd = false
					end
				end
				start.p[side].selEnd = true
			elseif not gameOption('Options.Team.Duplicates') and start.t_grid[start.c[player].selY + 1][start.c[player].selX + 1].char ~= 'randomselect' then
				local t_dirs = {'F', 'B', 'D', 'U'}
				if start.c[player].selY + 1 >= motif.select_info.rows then --next row not visible on the screen
					t_dirs = {'F', 'B', 'U', 'D'}
				end
				for _, v in ipairs(t_dirs) do
					local selX, selY = start.f_cellMovement(start.c[player].selX, start.c[player].selY, cmd, side, start.f_getCursorData(player).cursor.move.snd, v)
					if start.t_grid[selY + 1][selX + 1].char ~= nil and (selX ~= start.c[player].selX or selY ~= start.c[player].selY) then
						start.c[player].selX, start.c[player].selY = selX, selY
						break
					end
				end
			end
			if not start.p[1].teamEnd or not start.p[2].teamEnd or not start.p[1].selEnd or not start.p[2].selEnd then
				timerSelect = motif.select_info.timer.displaytime
			end
			if main.coop and (side == 1 or gameMode('versuscoop')) then --remaining members are controlled by different players
				selectState = 4
			elseif not start.p[side].selEnd then --next member controlled by this player should become selectable
				selectState = 0
			end
		end
	end
	return selectState, needUpdateDrawList
end

--;===========================================================
--; STAGE MENU
--;===========================================================
function start.f_stageMenu()
	local n = stageListNo
	local randomMode = {
		[0] = { init = 1, min = 1 }, -- disabled
		[1] = { init = 0, min = 0 }, -- default
		[2] = { init = 1, min = 0 }, -- random at the 'end'
	}

	local r = randomMode[motif.select_info.stage_randomselect] or randomMode[1]
	local stageListIdx = r.init
	local stageListMinIdx = r.min
	local stageListMaxIdx = #main.t_selectableStages

	if getInput(-1, motif.select_info.cell.left.key) then
		sndPlay(motif.Snd, motif.select_info.stage.move.snd[1], motif.select_info.stage.move.snd[2])
		stageListNo = stageListNo - 1
		if stageListNo < stageListMinIdx then stageListNo = stageListMaxIdx end
	elseif getInput(-1, motif.select_info.cell.right.key) then
		sndPlay(motif.Snd, motif.select_info.stage.move.snd[1], motif.select_info.stage.move.snd[2])
		stageListNo = stageListNo + 1
		if stageListNo > stageListMaxIdx then stageListNo = stageListMinIdx end
	elseif getInput(-1, motif.select_info.cell.up.key) then
		sndPlay(motif.Snd, motif.select_info.stage.move.snd[1], motif.select_info.stage.move.snd[2])
		for i = 1, 10 do
			stageListNo = stageListNo - 1
			if stageListNo < stageListMinIdx then stageListNo = stageListMaxIdx end
		end
	elseif getInput(-1, motif.select_info.cell.down.key) then
		sndPlay(motif.Snd, motif.select_info.stage.move.snd[1], motif.select_info.stage.move.snd[2])
		for i = 1, 10 do
			stageListNo = stageListNo + 1
			if stageListNo > stageListMaxIdx then stageListNo = stageListMinIdx end
		end
	end
	if n ~= stageListNo and stageListNo > 0 then
		animReset(main.t_selStages[main.t_selectableStages[stageListNo]].anim_data)
		animUpdate(main.t_selStages[main.t_selectableStages[stageListNo]].anim_data)
	end
	if stageListNo > 0 then
		main.f_preloadBoostStage(main.t_selectableStages[stageListNo])
	end
end

--;===========================================================
--; VERSUS SCREEN / ORDER SELECTION
--;===========================================================
-- Build params for loadStart()
function start.f_buildLoadStartParams(arg, doSelectMissing, t_orderRemap)
	local parts = {}
	local t = {}
	local musicParams = arg
	if type(arg) == "table" then
		t = arg
		musicParams = t.musicParams
	end
	if musicParams and musicParams ~= "" then
		parts[#parts + 1] = musicParams
	end
	local function addParam(k, v)
		if v == nil or v == "" then
			return
		end
		parts[#parts + 1] = k .. "=" .. tostring(v)
	end
	addParam("continue", main.f_arg(t.continue, main.motif.continuescreen))
	addParam("quickcontinue", main.f_arg(t.quickcontinue, defaultQuickContinue()))
	addParam("vsscreen", main.f_arg(t.vsscreen, main.motif.vsscreen))
	addParam("victoryscreen", main.f_arg(t.victoryscreen, main.motif.victoryscreen))
	addParam("winscreen", main.f_arg(t.winscreen, main.motif.winscreen))
	addParam("order", t.order)
	addParam("stage", t.stage)
	addParam("ai", t.ai)
	addParam("time", t.roundtime or t.time)
	addParam("lua", t.lua)
	addParam("charparam.ai", main.charparam.ai)
	addParam("charparam.arcadepath", main.charparam.arcadepath)
	addParam("charparam.music", main.charparam.music)
	addParam("charparam.rounds", main.charparam.rounds)
	addParam("charparam.single", main.charparam.single)
	addParam("charparam.stage", main.charparam.stage)
	addParam("charparam.time", main.charparam.time)
	addParam("p1.turnsoffset", start.p[1].turnsOffset or 0)
	addParam("p2.turnsoffset", start.p[2].turnsOffset or 0)
	addParam("pausemenu", main.pauseMenu)
	addParam("persistlife", main.persistLife)
	addParam("persistmusic", main.persistMusic)
	addParam("persistrounds", main.persistRounds)
	addParam("rankingcondition", main.rankingCondition)
	return table.concat(parts, ", ")
end

-- Build per-member override params for selectChar().
function start.f_buildOverrideParams(side, member, v)
	local parts = {}
	local function addParam(field, val)
		if val == nil then return end
		parts[#parts + 1] = string.format("p%d.%d.%s=%s", side, member, field, tostring(val))
	end
	hook.run("start.f_selectLoading.member", v)
	addParam("life", v.life)
	addParam("lifemax", v.lifeMax)
	addParam("power", v.power)
	addParam("dizzypoints", v.dizzyPoints)
	addParam("guardpoints", v.guardPoints)
	addParam("existed", v.existed)
	if type(v.maps) == "table" then
		for mapName, mapValue in pairs(v.maps) do
			if type(mapName) == "string" and mapValue ~= nil then
				local key = mapName
				if key:sub(1, 4):lower() == "map." then
					key = key:sub(5)
				end
				if key ~= "" then
					addParam("map." .. key, mapValue)
				end
			end
		end
	end
	return table.concat(parts, ", ")
end

function start.f_selectVersus(active, t_orderSelect, loadStartArg)
	start.t_orderRemap = {{}, {}}
	start.bgLoadStarted = false
	for side = 1, 2 do
		-- populate order remap table with default values
		for i = 1, #start.p[side].t_selected do
			table.insert(start.t_orderRemap[side], i)
		end
		-- prevent order select if not enabled in screenpack or if team size = 1
		if t_orderSelect[side] then
			t_orderSelect[side] = motif.vs_screen.orderselect.enabled and #start.p[side].t_selected > 1
			-- In Turns Survival after any defeats, order selection would break the invariant that
			-- defeated members are a prefix of the roster, so should be disabled.
			if start.p[side].teamMode == 2 and (start.p[side].turnsOffset or 0) > 0 then
				t_orderSelect[side] = false
			end
		end
		-- reset order-confirm flags and selection flags
		for _, v in ipairs(start.p[side].t_selected) do
			main.f_preloadBoostChar(v.ref)
			v.loading = false
			v.selected = false
		end
	end
	-- skip versus screen if vs screen is disabled or p2 side char has vsscreen select.def flag set to 0
	for _, v in ipairs(start.p[2].t_selected) do
		if start.f_getCharData(v.ref).vsscreen == 0 then
			active = false
			break
		end
	end
	if not active then
		clearColor(motif.versusbgdef.bgclearcolor[1], motif.versusbgdef.bgclearcolor[2], motif.versusbgdef.bgclearcolor[3])
		return true
	end
	textImgReset(motif.vs_screen.match.TextSpriteData)
	textImgSetText(motif.vs_screen.match.TextSpriteData, string.format(motif.vs_screen.match.text, matchNo()))
	bgReset(motif.versusbgdef.BGDef)
	fadeInInit(motif.vs_screen.fadein.FadeData)
	local fadeOutStarted = false
	playBgm({source = "motif.vs"})
	start.f_resetTempData(motif.vs_screen, '')
	start.f_playWave(getStageNo(), 'stage', motif.vs_screen.stage.snd[1], motif.vs_screen.stage.snd[2])
	local counter = 0 - motif.vs_screen.fadein.time
	local bgLoading = gameOption('Config.VsScreenLoading')
	local done = (not t_orderSelect[1] and not t_orderSelect[2]) -- both sides having order disabled
	local timerActive = not done
	local timerCount = 0
	local escFlag = false
	local doneKeyReady = done
	local t_order = {{}, {}}
	local cpuOrderFinalized = {false, false}
	local t_icon = {false, false}
	local selStageNo = getStageNo()
	local loadStarted = false
	local netReady = false
	local readyToLeave = not bgLoading
	local wantSkip = false
	local wantDone = false
	
	-- Reset stage portrait animation if it was already seen when entering the VS screen
	resetStagePortraitAnim(selStageNo, 'vs_anim_data')

	-- Background loading: start async loader immediately.
	if bgLoading then
		local params = start.f_buildLoadStartParams(loadStartArg, false, start.t_orderRemap)
		if gameOption('Debug.DumpLuaTables') then main.f_printTable(params, "debug/loadStartParams.txt") end
		resetGameParams()
		loadStart(params)
		loadStarted = true
		start.bgLoadStarted = true
		-- Sides without order select: select everyone immediately so loading can begin.
		for side = 1, 2 do
			if not t_orderSelect[side] then
				for member, v in ipairs(start.p[side].t_selected) do
					if not v.selected then
						selectChar(side, v.ref, v.pal, start.f_buildOverrideParams(side, member, v))
						v.selected = true
					end
					v.loading = true
					t_order[side][#t_order[side] + 1] = member
				end
				t_icon[side] = nil
			end
		end
	end

	local function finishOrderSelection(side)
		for member, v in ipairs(start.p[side].t_selected) do
			if not v.loading then
				t_order[side][#t_order[side] + 1] = member
				local slot = #t_order[side]
				if not v.selected then
					if bgLoading then
						selectChar(side, v.ref, v.pal, start.f_buildOverrideParams(side, slot, v))
					else
						selectChar(side, v.ref, v.pal)
					end
					v.selected = true
				end
				v.loading = true
			end
		end
		if #start.p[side].t_selected == #t_order[side] then
			t_icon[side] = nil
		end
	end
	while true do
		main.f_preloadTick(4)
		local snd = false
		-- CPU order select: randomize first, then selectChar() using randomized slot order
		for side = 1, 2 do
			if main.cpuSide[side] and t_orderSelect[side] and not cpuOrderFinalized[side] then
				t_order[side] = {}
				for i = 1, #start.p[side].t_selected do
					t_order[side][i] = i
				end
				main.f_tableShuffle(t_order[side])
				for slot, idx in ipairs(t_order[side]) do
					local v = start.p[side].t_selected[idx]
					if bgLoading and not v.selected then
						selectChar(side, v.ref, v.pal, start.f_buildOverrideParams(side, slot, v))
						v.selected = true
					end
					v.loading = true
				end
				t_icon[side] = nil
				cpuOrderFinalized[side] = true
			end
		end
		-- for each team side member
		for side = 1, 2 do
			if not done and t_orderSelect[side] and not main.cpuSide[side] and getInput(side, motif.vs_screen.skip.key) then
				finishOrderSelection(side)
				if not snd then
					sndPlay(motif.Snd, motif.vs_screen['p' .. side].value.snd[1], motif.vs_screen['p' .. side].value.snd[2])
					snd = true
				end
			end
			for k, v in ipairs(start.p[side].t_selected) do
				local pn = 2 * (k - 1) + side
				local pCfg = f_getMotifP(motif.vs_screen, pn, side)
				-- until loading flag is set
				if not v.loading then
					-- Timeout: append all remaining members in default order and confirm them.
					if timerCount == -1 then
						for kk, vv in ipairs(start.p[side].t_selected) do
							if not vv.loading then
								t_order[side][#t_order[side] + 1] = kk
								local slot = #t_order[side]
								if not vv.selected then
									if bgLoading then
										selectChar(side, vv.ref, vv.pal, start.f_buildOverrideParams(side, slot, vv))
									else
										selectChar(side, vv.ref, vv.pal)
									end
									vv.selected = true
								end
								vv.loading = true
							end
						end
						t_icon[side] = nil
						if not snd then
							sndPlay(motif.Snd, motif.vs_screen['p' .. side].value.snd[1], motif.vs_screen['p' .. side].value.snd[2])
							snd = true
						end
					-- CPU / no-key / auto-confirm path
					elseif not t_orderSelect[side] or main.cpuSide[side] or (#pCfg.key == 0 and #t_order[side] == k - 1) then
						t_order[side][#t_order[side] + 1] = k
						local slot = #t_order[side]
						if bgLoading and not v.selected then
							selectChar(side, v.ref, v.pal, start.f_buildOverrideParams(side, slot, v))
							v.selected = true
						end
						v.loading = true
						if #start.p[side].t_selected == #t_order[side] then
							t_icon[side] = nil
						end
					elseif getInput(side, pCfg.key) or (#start.p[side].t_selected == #t_order[side] + 1) then
						t_order[side][#t_order[side] + 1] = k
						local slot = #t_order[side]
						if bgLoading and not v.selected then
							selectChar(side, v.ref, v.pal, start.f_buildOverrideParams(side, slot, v))
							v.selected = true
						end
						if not bgLoading and not v.selected then
							selectChar(side, v.ref, v.pal)
							v.selected = true
						end
						v.loading = true
						-- if it's the last unordered team member
						if #start.p[side].t_selected == #t_order[side] then
							t_icon[side] = nil
						end
						-- play sound only once in particular frame
						if not snd then
							sndPlay(motif.Snd, motif.vs_screen['p' .. side].value.snd[1], motif.vs_screen['p' .. side].value.snd[2])
							snd = true
						end
					end
				end
			end
		end
		-- do once if both sides confirmed order selection
		if not done and #start.p[1].t_selected == #t_order[1] and #start.p[2].t_selected == #t_order[2] then
			for side = 1, 2 do
				-- rearrange characters in selection order
				for k, v in ipairs(t_order[side]) do
					start.t_orderRemap[side][k] = v
				end
				-- rebuild portrait data using final order positions
				for member, srcMember in ipairs(start.t_orderRemap[side]) do
					local v = start.p[side].t_selected[srcMember]
					local portrait = start.p[side].t_selTemp[srcMember]
					local pn = 2 * (member - 1) + side
					local pCfg = f_getMotifP(motif.vs_screen, pn, side)
					local faceCfg = pCfg
					if pCfg.done.anim ~= -1 or pCfg.done.spr[1] ~= -1 then
						faceCfg = pCfg.done
					end
					portrait.face_anim = faceCfg.anim
					portrait.face_data = start.f_animGet(v.ref, side, srcMember, faceCfg, pCfg, false, portrait.face_data)
					local face2Cfg = pCfg.face2
					if pCfg.face2.done.anim ~= -1 or pCfg.face2.done.spr[1] ~= -1 then
						face2Cfg = pCfg.face2.done
					end
					portrait.face2_anim = face2Cfg.anim
					portrait.face2_data = start.f_animGet(v.ref, side, srcMember, face2Cfg, pCfg.face2, false, portrait.face2_data)
				end
				if t_orderSelect[side] then
					t_icon[side] = true
				end
			end
			counter = motif.vs_screen.time - motif.vs_screen.done.time
			done = true
			doneKeyReady = false
		end
		counter = counter + 1
		--draw clearcolor
		clearColor(motif.versusbgdef.bgclearcolor[1], motif.versusbgdef.bgclearcolor[2], motif.versusbgdef.bgclearcolor[3])
		--draw layerno = 0 backgrounds
		bgDraw(motif.versusbgdef.BGDef, 0)
		--draw portraits and order icons
		for side = 1, 2 do
			start.f_drawPortraits(main.f_remapTable(start.p[side].t_selTemp, start.t_orderRemap[side]), side, motif.vs_screen, '', false, t_icon[side])
		end
		--draw order values
		for side = 1, 2 do
			if t_orderSelect[side] then
				for i = 1, math.min(#start.p[side].t_selected, motif.vs_screen['p' .. side].num) do
					local pn = 2 * (i - 1) + side
					local pCfg = f_getMotifP(motif.vs_screen, pn, side)
					if i > #t_order[side] and #start.p[side].t_selected > #t_order[side] then
						main.f_animPosDraw(
							pCfg.value.empty.icon.AnimData,
							(i - 1) * motif.vs_screen['p' .. side].value.icon.spacing[1],
							(i - 1) * motif.vs_screen['p' .. side].value.icon.spacing[2]
						)
					else
						main.f_animPosDraw(
							pCfg.value.icon.AnimData,
							(i - 1) * motif.vs_screen['p' .. side].value.icon.spacing[1],
							(i - 1) * motif.vs_screen['p' .. side].value.icon.spacing[2]
						)
					end
				end
			end
		end
		--draw names
		for side = 1, 2 do
			for k, v in ipairs(main.f_remapTable(start.p[side].t_selTemp, start.t_orderRemap[side])) do
				if k <= motif.vs_screen['p' .. side].name.num then
					textImgReset(motif.vs_screen['p' .. side].name.TextSpriteData)
					textImgAddPos(
						motif.vs_screen['p' .. side].name.TextSpriteData,
						(k - 1) * motif.vs_screen['p' .. side].name.spacing[1],
						(k - 1) * motif.vs_screen['p' .. side].name.spacing[2]
					)
					textImgSetText(motif.vs_screen['p' .. side].name.TextSpriteData, start.f_getName(v.ref, side))
					textImgDraw(motif.vs_screen['p' .. side].name.TextSpriteData)
				end
			end
		end
		--draw stage portrait
		if selStageNo then
			--draw stage portrait background
			main.f_animPosDraw(motif.vs_screen.stage.portrait.bg.AnimData)
			--draw stage portrait loaded from stage SFF
			local portrait = motif.vs_screen.stage.portrait
			local anim = main.t_selStages[selStageNo].vs_anim_data
			local loadingPortrait = false
			if getStagePreloadStatus(selStageNo) ~= 'ready' and hasPortraitAnim(portrait.loading) then
				portrait = portrait.loading
				anim = portrait.AnimData
				loadingPortrait = true
			end
			if anim then
				local x = motif.vs_screen.stage.pos[1]
				local y = motif.vs_screen.stage.pos[2]
				if not loadingPortrait then
					x = x + portrait.offset[1]
					y = y + portrait.offset[2]
				end
				main.f_animPosDraw(anim, x, y)
			end
		end
		--draw stage name
		if selStageNo and main.t_selStages[selStageNo] then
			textImgReset(motif.vs_screen.stage.TextSpriteData)
			local stage_text = main.f_formatBySpec(motif.vs_screen.stage.text, {i = selStageNo, s = main.t_selStages[selStageNo].name})
			textImgSetText(motif.vs_screen.stage.TextSpriteData, stage_text)
			textImgDraw(motif.vs_screen.stage.TextSpriteData)
		end
		--draw match counter
		if main.motif.vsmatchno then
			textImgDraw(motif.vs_screen.match.TextSpriteData)
		end
		--draw timer
		if not done and motif.vs_screen.timer.count ~= -1 and timerActive and counter >= 0 then
			timerCount, timerActive = main.f_drawTimer(timerCount, motif.vs_screen.timer)
		end
		-- done key
		if done and not doneKeyReady and not getInput(-1, motif.vs_screen.done.key) then
			doneKeyReady = true
		end
		-- Background loading status
		readyToLeave = not bgLoading
		if bgLoading and loadStarted then
			-- Latch leave input before netLoadingReady(), because the loading handshake stops the pre-match net input stream.
			for side = 1, 2 do
				if not main.cpuSide[side] and getInput(side, motif.vs_screen.skip.key) then
					wantSkip = true
				end
				if done and doneKeyReady and getInput(side, motif.vs_screen.done.key) then
					wantDone = true
				end
			end
			local leaveRequested = (counter >= motif.vs_screen.time and (not (t_orderSelect[1] or t_orderSelect[2]) or done)) or wantSkip or wantDone
			local localDone = not loading()
			if localDone and leaveRequested and not netReady then
				netReady = netLoadingReady()
			end
			readyToLeave = localDone and netReady
			if not localDone then
				main.f_animPosDraw(motif.vs_screen.loading.AnimData)
				textImgDraw(motif.vs_screen.loading.TextSpriteData)
			else
				main.f_animPosDraw(motif.vs_screen.loading.done.AnimData)
				textImgDraw(motif.vs_screen.loading.done.TextSpriteData)
			end
		end
		--draw layerno = 1 backgrounds
		bgDraw(motif.versusbgdef.BGDef, 1)
		-- hook
		hook.run("start.f_selectVersus")
		--draw fadein / fadeout
		for side = 1, 2 do
			if not fadeOutStarted and (
				(counter >= motif.vs_screen.time and (not (t_orderSelect[1] or t_orderSelect[2]) or done) and readyToLeave)
				or (readyToLeave and (not main.cpuSide[side] and (getInput(side, motif.vs_screen.skip.key) or wantSkip)))
				or (readyToLeave and (done and doneKeyReady and (getInput(side, motif.vs_screen.done.key) or wantDone)))) then
				fadeOutInit(motif.vs_screen.fadeout.FadeData)
				fadeOutStarted = true
				wantSkip = false
				wantDone = false
				break
			end
		end
		--frame transition
		if not escFlag and (esc() or getInput(-1, motif.vs_screen.cancel.key)) then
			esc(false)
			if bgLoading and loadStarted then
				loadCancel()
				clearSelected()
			end
			if main.replayActive then
				start.exit = true
			end
			fadeOutInit(motif.vs_screen.fadeout.FadeData)
			fadeOutStarted = true
			escFlag = true
		end
		if not fadeActive() and (fadeOutStarted or start.escFlag) then
			clearColor(motif.versusbgdef.bgclearcolor[1], motif.versusbgdef.bgclearcolor[2], motif.versusbgdef.bgclearcolor[3])
			break --skip last frame rendering
		end
		refresh()
	end
	esc(escFlag) --force Esc detection
	return not escFlag
end

--loading loop called after versus screen is finished
function start.f_selectLoading(arg)
	clearAllSound()
	local t = {}
	if type(arg) == "table" then
		t = arg
	elseif type(arg) == "string" then
		t.musicParams = arg
	end
	local params = start.f_buildLoadStartParams(t, true, start.t_orderRemap)
	if gameOption('Debug.DumpLuaTables') then main.f_printTable(params, "debug/loadStartParams.txt") end
	resetGameParams()
	if not gameOption('Config.VsScreenLoading') then
		-- If background loading is disabled, first select all chars, then start the loader.
		for side = 1, 2 do
			local remap = start.t_orderRemap and start.t_orderRemap[side]
			for member = 1, #start.p[side].t_selected do
				local src = remap and remap[member] or member
				local v = start.p[side].t_selected[src]
				if not v.selected then
					selectChar(side, v.ref, v.pal, start.f_buildOverrideParams(side, member, v))
					v.selected = true
				end
			end
		end
		loadStart(params)
	else
		-- Background loading: start loader first, then feed selections.
		loadStart(params)
		for side = 1, 2 do
			local remap = start.t_orderRemap and start.t_orderRemap[side]
			for member = 1, #start.p[side].t_selected do
				local src = remap and remap[member] or member
				local v = start.p[side].t_selected[src]
				if not v.selected then
					selectChar(side, v.ref, v.pal, start.f_buildOverrideParams(side, member, v))
					v.selected = true
				end
			end
		end
		if main.f_storyboard(motif.vs_screen.loading.storyboard) then
			loadCancel()
			clearSelected()
			return false
		end
		-- VS screen is normally responsible for showing loading progress.
		-- If it was skipped/disabled, keep a small Lua render loop alive here.
		local netReady = false
		while loading() or not netReady do
			if not loading() then
				netReady = netLoadingReady()
			end
			if esc() then
				loadCancel()
				clearSelected()
				return false
			end
			clearColor(0, 0, 0)
			main.f_animPosDraw(motif.vs_screen.loading.wait.AnimData)
			textImgDraw(motif.vs_screen.loading.wait.TextSpriteData)
			refresh()
		end
	end
	return true
end

return start