feat: Implement core player character setup, a centralized notification system, and special tile power-up management with inventory and cooldowns.

scripts/managers/notification_manager.gd

@@ -46,7 +46,9 @@ static func send_message(target: Node, message: String, type: int = MessageType.
 			
 		# Call the RPC on the target (usually a Player node)
 		# "any_peer" allows any client to send this message to the target
-		target.rpc("display_message", message, type)
+		# COMMENTED OUT PER USER REQUEST (Hide MessageBar/Notifications)
+		# target.rpc("display_message", message, type)
+		pass
 
 # Helper for broadcasting to all players (if needed in future)
 static func broadcast_to_all(tree: SceneTree, message: String, type: int = MessageType.NORMAL):

scripts/managers/special_tiles_manager.gd

@@ -314,7 +314,7 @@ func _execute_area_freeze(center_pos: Vector2i = Vector2i.ZERO):
 		if main:
 			var gcm = main.get_node_or_null("GoalsCycleManager")
 			if gcm:
-				gcm.add_score(player.name.to_int(), points)
+				gcm.rpc("request_add_score", points)
 			
 		NotificationManager.send_message(player, "Hit %d Players! +%d Pts" % [hit_count, points], NotificationManager.MessageType.GOAL)
 

scripts/managers/ui_manager.gd

@@ -401,22 +401,20 @@ func setup_playerboard_label(main_node):
 	var lbl = main_node.get_node_or_null("PlayerBoardLabel")
 	if lbl:
 		playerboard_label = lbl
-		playerboard_label.text = "" # Hidden initially
+		playerboard_label.text = "x0" # Start at x0
 		print("[UIManager] Found PlayerBoardLabel")
 	else:
 		print("[UIManager] PlayerBoardLabel not found")
 
 func update_goal_count_label(count: int):
 	if playerboard_label:
+		playerboard_label.text = "x%d" % count
+		
+		# Pop effect only for progress
 		if count > 0:
-			playerboard_label.text = "x%d" % count
-			
-			# Pop effect
 			var tween = playerboard_label.create_tween()
 			playerboard_label.scale = Vector2(1.5, 1.5)
 			tween.tween_property(playerboard_label, "scale", Vector2(1.0, 1.0), 0.3).set_trans(Tween.TRANS_BOUNCE)
-		else:
-			playerboard_label.text = ""
 
 # Method to update leaderboard with all players in match
 func initialize_leaderboard_with_players(players: Array):