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

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):