diff --git a/scripts/managers/stop_n_go_manager.gd b/scripts/managers/stop_n_go_manager.gd
index 88b87a7..afccc29 100644
--- a/scripts/managers/stop_n_go_manager.gd
+++ b/scripts/managers/stop_n_go_manager.gd
@@ -864,18 +864,18 @@ func _animate_safe_zone_disappear():
 	var start_alpha: float = fade_mat.albedo_color.a
 	var tween = create_tween()
 	
-	# Phase 1 — Flicker brighten: alpha → 0.95 in 0.15s (warn the player)
+	# Phase 1 — Hold alpha steady (warn the player via outlines only to prevent panel z-fighting glitch)
 	tween.tween_method(
 		func(a: float):
 			if is_instance_valid(fade_mat): fade_mat.albedo_color.a = a,
-		start_alpha, 0.95, 0.15
+		start_alpha, start_alpha, 0.15
 	).set_ease(Tween.EASE_OUT).set_trans(Tween.TRANS_SINE)
 	
-	# Phase 2 — Fade out: alpha 0.95 → 0 in 0.4s (EXPO ease-in = fast vanish)
+	# Phase 2 — Fade out: alpha start_alpha → 0 in 0.4s (EXPO ease-in = fast vanish)
 	tween.tween_method(
 		func(a: float):
 			if is_instance_valid(fade_mat): fade_mat.albedo_color.a = a,
-		0.95, 0.0, 0.4
+		start_alpha, 0.0, 0.4
 	).set_ease(Tween.EASE_IN).set_trans(Tween.TRANS_EXPO)
 	
 	# Fade out all outline nodes in sync
diff --git a/scripts/managers/user_profile_manager.gd b/scripts/managers/user_profile_manager.gd
index 14881bf..84f8807 100644
--- a/scripts/managers/user_profile_manager.gd
+++ b/scripts/managers/user_profile_manager.gd
@@ -125,14 +125,14 @@ func update_display_name(new_name: String) -> bool:
 		emit_signal("profile_update_failed", "Display name cannot be empty")
 		return false
 	
-	if new_name.length() > 6:
-		emit_signal("profile_update_failed", "Display name too long (max 6 characters)")
+	if new_name.length() > 14:
+		emit_signal("profile_update_failed", "Display name too long (max 14 characters)")
 		return false
 		
 	var regex = RegEx.new()
-	regex.compile("^[A-Za-z]+$")
+	regex.compile("^[A-Za-z0-9 ]+$")
 	if not regex.search(new_name):
-		emit_signal("profile_update_failed", "Name must contain only letters")
+		emit_signal("profile_update_failed", "Name can only contain letters, numbers, and spaces")
 		return false
 
 	# Allow guest name updates locally
diff --git a/scripts/ui/profile_panel.gd b/scripts/ui/profile_panel.gd
index 0582ea7..ac8a579 100644
--- a/scripts/ui/profile_panel.gd
+++ b/scripts/ui/profile_panel.gd
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ func _load_profile_data() -> void:
 	var stats := UserProfileManager.stats
 
 	display_name_input.text = profile.get("display_name", "Guest")
-	display_name_input.max_length = 6
+	display_name_input.max_length = 14
 
 	var avatar_url: String = UserProfileManager.get_avatar_url()
 	if ResourceLoader.exists(avatar_url):
@@ -243,9 +243,6 @@ func _on_save_name_pressed() -> void:
 		emit_signal("profile_updated")
 		await get_tree().create_timer(3.0).timeout
 		status_label.text = ""
-	else:
-		status_label.add_theme_color_override("font_color", Color.RED)
-		status_label.text = "Failed to update name"
 
 # -------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Account