diff --git a/assets/textures/Backgrounds/meadow2.jpg b/assets/textures/Backgrounds/meadow2.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d40ff39
Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/textures/Backgrounds/meadow2.jpg differ
diff --git a/assets/textures/Backgrounds/meadow2.jpg.import b/assets/textures/Backgrounds/meadow2.jpg.import
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d0587f8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/assets/textures/Backgrounds/meadow2.jpg.import
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+[remap]
+
+importer="texture"
+type="CompressedTexture2D"
+uid="uid://da7o6lfuoliid"
+path="res://.godot/imported/meadow2.jpg-a2c56367f6dea92f74977abc7eb0e749.ctex"
+metadata={
+"vram_texture": false
+}
+
+[deps]
+
+source_file="res://assets/textures/Backgrounds/meadow2.jpg"
+dest_files=["res://.godot/imported/meadow2.jpg-a2c56367f6dea92f74977abc7eb0e749.ctex"]
+
+[params]
+
+compress/mode=0
+compress/high_quality=false
+compress/lossy_quality=0.7
+compress/hdr_compression=1
+compress/normal_map=0
+compress/channel_pack=0
+mipmaps/generate=false
+mipmaps/limit=-1
+roughness/mode=0
+roughness/src_normal=""
+process/fix_alpha_border=true
+process/premult_alpha=false
+process/normal_map_invert_y=false
+process/hdr_as_srgb=false
+process/hdr_clamp_exposure=false
+process/size_limit=0
+detect_3d/compress_to=1
diff --git a/globals/inventory.gd b/globals/inventory.gd
deleted file mode 100644
index 432deed..0000000
--- a/globals/inventory.gd
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,21 +0,0 @@
-extends Node
-
-# SIGNALS
-signal inventory_changed
-
-# The players current monsters in the inventory are saved here
-var monsters: Array
-
-# Called when the node enters the scene tree for the first time.
-func _ready() -> void:
-	setup_new_inventory()
-
-func setup_new_inventory() -> void:
-	var data = MonsterData.new()
-	data.set_data("debuggy", {}, 5)
-	print("After setting it in inventory: ", data.display_name)
-	
-	monsters.append(data)
-	# debug timeout to wait for the debug UI
-	await get_tree().create_timer(2.0).timeout
-	inventory_changed.emit()
diff --git a/globals/save_game.gd b/globals/save_game.gd
index bc5386b..6c41d21 100644
--- a/globals/save_game.gd
+++ b/globals/save_game.gd
@@ -4,9 +4,6 @@ extends Node
 const SAVE_GAME_PATH := "user://savegame.save"
 const VERSION: int = 1
 
-# List all the nodes and resouces to save
-var save_data: Resource = SaveData.new()
-
 func save() -> void:
 	var save_file = FileAccess.open(SAVE_GAME_PATH, FileAccess.WRITE)
 	
@@ -19,25 +16,25 @@ func save() -> void:
 	}
 	var meta_json_string = JSON.stringify(meta_data)
 	save_file.store_line(meta_json_string)
+		
+	# Save the player node's position
+	var player = get_tree().get_root().find_child("Player", true, false)
+	var player_node_data = player.save()
+	var player_json = JSON.stringify(player_node_data)
+	save_file.store_line(player_json)
 	
-	# for now, only save the savedata resource from above
-	if !save_data.has_method("save"):
-		print("Resource '%s' is missing a save() function, skipped" %save_data.resource_name)
-		return
-
-	# Call the node's / resource's save function
-	var node_data = save_data.call("save")
-	
-	# Serialize the JSON string
-	var json_string = JSON.stringify(node_data)
-	
-	# Store the save dictionary as a new line in the save file
+	# Save all other stuff from the SaveData
+	var save_data = SaveData.call("save")
+	var json_string = JSON.stringify(save_data)
 	save_file.store_line(json_string)
 
 func load() -> void:
 	if not FileAccess.file_exists(SAVE_GAME_PATH):
 		print("No save file exists.")
 		return
+		
+	# NEXT STEP: How to load correctly and in which order?
+	# first the current world, then the player and their position and then the inventory?
 	
 	# Load the save file line by line and process the dictionary to restore
 	# the object it represents
@@ -57,17 +54,17 @@ func load() -> void:
 		# Get the data from the JSON object
 		var node_data = json.get_data()
 		
+		if node_data.has("meta"):
+			print("Meta data ignored.")
+
 		# handle the player data (name, money, etc.)
 		if node_data.has("player_data"):
-			print("save_game.gd: ", node_data)
-		
-		# Firstly, we need to create the object and add it to the tree and set its position.
-		#var new_object = load(node_data["filename"]).instantiate()
-		#get_node(node_data["parent"]).add_child(new_object)
-		#new_object.position = Vector2(node_data["pos_x"], node_data["pos_y"])
+			var world_to_load = load(node_data["player_data"].world)
+			var instance = world_to_load.instantiate()
+			instance.add_child(load("res://scenes/player/player.tscn").instantiate())
+			var level_container = get_tree().get_root().find_child("CurrentLevel", true, false)
+			level_container.add_child(instance)
 
-		# Now we set the remaining variables.
-		#for i in node_data.keys():
-		#	if i == "filename" or i == "parent" or i == "pos_x" or i == "pos_y":
-		#		continue
-		#	new_object.set(i, node_data[i])
+
+func savegame_exists() -> bool:
+	return FileAccess.file_exists(SAVE_GAME_PATH)
diff --git a/project.godot b/project.godot
index 6193e00..7f03946 100644
--- a/project.godot
+++ b/project.godot
@@ -18,8 +18,9 @@ config/icon="res://assets/logo/logo.png"
 
 [autoload]
 
-Inventory="*res://globals/inventory.gd"
+UI="*res://scenes/ui/ui.gd"
 SaveGame="*res://globals/save_game.gd"
+SaveData="*res://resources/save_data.gd"
 
 [display]
 
@@ -29,6 +30,10 @@ window/stretch/mode="canvas_items"
 window/stretch/aspect="expand"
 window/handheld/orientation=1
 
+[global_group]
+
+Persist="Contains all nodes that need to be saved"
+
 [input]
 
 joystick_right_right={
@@ -41,6 +46,16 @@ joystick_right_left={
 "events": [Object(InputEventJoypadMotion,"resource_local_to_scene":false,"resource_name":"","device":-1,"axis":2,"axis_value":-1.0,"script":null)
 ]
 }
+joystick_right_up={
+"deadzone": 0.5,
+"events": [Object(InputEventJoypadMotion,"resource_local_to_scene":false,"resource_name":"","device":-1,"axis":3,"axis_value":-1.0,"script":null)
+]
+}
+joystick_right_down={
+"deadzone": 0.5,
+"events": [Object(InputEventJoypadMotion,"resource_local_to_scene":false,"resource_name":"","device":-1,"axis":3,"axis_value":1.0,"script":null)
+]
+}
 
 [input_devices]
 
diff --git a/resources/save_data.gd b/resources/save_data.gd
index 5b6cc3e..9eb815d 100644
--- a/resources/save_data.gd
+++ b/resources/save_data.gd
@@ -1,11 +1,19 @@
-class_name SaveData
-extends Resource
+extends Node
+
+# SIGNALS
+signal inventory_changed
 
 # Player data
 var player_name: String = "Player"
 var money: int = 0
+var world: String = "res://scenes/worlds/debug_level.tscn"
 
 # Inventory data
+# Items with their unique id and amount
+
+# Monster Party data
+# monster with their values (unique id, atk, def, tmp for now)
+var monsters: Array
 
 func _init() -> void:
 	set_name("SaveData")
@@ -13,7 +21,8 @@ func _init() -> void:
 func save():
 	var player_data = {
 		"player_name": player_name,
-		"money": money
+		"money": money,
+		"world": world
 	}
 	
 	# Collect all data to save in one dictionary
@@ -22,3 +31,11 @@ func save():
 	}
 	
 	return save_dict
+
+func setup_new_inventory() -> void:
+	var data = MonsterData.new()
+	data.set_data("debuggy", {}, 5)
+	print("After setting it in inventory: ", data.display_name)
+	
+	monsters.append(data)
+	inventory_changed.emit()
diff --git a/scenes/game.gd b/scenes/game.gd
index 30323bf..dd52257 100644
--- a/scenes/game.gd
+++ b/scenes/game.gd
@@ -1,10 +1,34 @@
 extends Node3D
 # Game.gd - Main Entrypoint for the game
 
-@onready var ui: UI = $UI
+@export var skip_menu: bool = true
 
 # Called when the node enters the scene tree for the first time.
 func _ready() -> void:
+	
+	# Skip the menu for development
+	if skip_menu == true:
+		UI.show_ingame_controls(!skip_menu)
+		UI.show_main_menu(!skip_menu)
+		_on_ui_on_new_game_started()
+		return
+		
+	# On start of the game, the main menu is shown
+	UI.show_main_menu()
+	
+# this event comes from the MainMenu Node in the UI
+func _on_ui_on_new_game_started() -> void:
+	var world = preload("res://scenes/worlds/debug_level.tscn").instantiate()
+	UI.show_ingame_controls()
+	
+	# Add the starting world
+	%CurrentLevel.add_child(world)
+	
+	# Add the starting player to the starting world
+	var player = preload("res://scenes/player/player.tscn").instantiate()
+	world.add_child(player)
+
+# event comes from the MainMenu Node in the UI
+func _on_ui_on_game_continued() -> void:
 	SaveGame.load()
-	# Update the UI when the Inventory (global) changes
-	Inventory.inventory_changed.connect(ui._update_ui)
+	UI.show_ingame_controls()
diff --git a/scenes/game.tscn b/scenes/game.tscn
index e2831da..fc19034 100644
--- a/scenes/game.tscn
+++ b/scenes/game.tscn
@@ -1,14 +1,12 @@
-[gd_scene load_steps=4 format=3 uid="uid://cswuap81n7t3f"]
+[gd_scene load_steps=3 format=3 uid="uid://cswuap81n7t3f"]
 
-[ext_resource type="PackedScene" uid="uid://p8agd0dfam0p" path="res://scenes/worlds/debug_level.tscn" id="1_j851n"]
 [ext_resource type="Script" path="res://scenes/game.gd" id="1_mfbtr"]
 [ext_resource type="PackedScene" uid="uid://b5y7pdfe6ougf" path="res://scenes/ui/ui.tscn" id="2_ynhuf"]
 
 [node name="Game" type="Node3D"]
 script = ExtResource("1_mfbtr")
 
-[node name="CurrentLevel" type="Node3D" parent="."]
-
-[node name="DebugLevel" parent="CurrentLevel" instance=ExtResource("1_j851n")]
-
 [node name="UI" parent="." instance=ExtResource("2_ynhuf")]
+
+[node name="CurrentLevel" type="Node3D" parent="."]
+unique_name_in_owner = true
diff --git a/scenes/player/player.gd b/scenes/player/player.gd
index 18a4718..5c08fd4 100644
--- a/scenes/player/player.gd
+++ b/scenes/player/player.gd
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ func _physics_process(delta: float) -> void:
 		
 	# Camera rotation
 	var camera_input_dir := Input.get_vector("joystick_right_left", "joystick_right_right", "joystick_right_left", "joystick_right_right")
-	$CameraRoot.rotation.y += camera_input_dir.x * 0.2
+	$CameraRoot.rotation.y += camera_input_dir.x
 
 	# Get the input direction and handle the movement / deceleration.
 	# As good practice, you should replace UI actions with custom gameplay actions.
@@ -74,3 +74,16 @@ func start_battle(enemy: Node3D, player_position: Vector3) -> void:
 	await get_tree().create_timer(2.0).timeout
 	print("timer over")
 	in_battle = false
+
+func save() -> Dictionary:
+	var save_dict =  {
+		"player_transform": {
+			"pos_x": global_position.x,
+			"pos_y": global_position.y,
+			"pos_z": global_position.z,
+			"rot_x": global_rotation.x,
+			"rot_y": global_rotation.y,
+			"rot_z": global_rotation.z
+		}
+	}
+	return save_dict
diff --git a/scenes/ui/ingame_menu.gd b/scenes/ui/ingame_menu.gd
index bb48c21..cbc25fa 100644
--- a/scenes/ui/ingame_menu.gd
+++ b/scenes/ui/ingame_menu.gd
@@ -12,12 +12,12 @@ func _on_close_button_pressed() -> void:
 	pass # Replace with function body.
 
 func _update_monster_list() -> void:
-	for i in Inventory.monsters.size():
-		var monster = Inventory.monsters[i]
+	for i in SaveData.monsters.size():
+		var monster = SaveData.monsters[i]
 		var entry = monster_list_entry.instantiate()
 		
 		# populate the new entry
-		entry.populate(Inventory.monsters[i])
+		entry.populate(SaveData.monsters[i])
 		
 		# add it to the list
 		monster_list_entry_container.add_child(entry)
diff --git a/scenes/ui/main_menu.gd b/scenes/ui/main_menu.gd
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c7cd744
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scenes/ui/main_menu.gd
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+extends Control
+
+signal on_new_game_started
+signal on_game_continued
+
+# On ready, check which buttons to show
+func _ready() -> void:
+	if SaveGame.savegame_exists():
+		%ContinueGameButton.visible = true
+		%NewGameButton.visible = false
+
+func _on_new_game_button_pressed() -> void:
+	# Hide the main menu
+	self.visible = false
+	
+	# emit the new game signal
+	on_new_game_started.emit()
+
+func _on_continue_game_button_pressed() -> void:
+	# Hide the main menu
+	self.visible = false
+	
+	# emit the continue game signal
+	on_game_continued.emit()
+
+func _on_options_button_pressed() -> void:
+	print("TODO")
+
+func _on_licenses_button_pressed() -> void:
+	print("TODO")
+
+func _on_exit_button_pressed() -> void:
+	get_tree().quit()
diff --git a/scenes/ui/main_menu.tscn b/scenes/ui/main_menu.tscn
index 5e45fa4..ad199db 100644
--- a/scenes/ui/main_menu.tscn
+++ b/scenes/ui/main_menu.tscn
@@ -1,16 +1,79 @@
-[gd_scene load_steps=3 format=3 uid="uid://dt00rjsodtady"]
+[gd_scene load_steps=10 format=3 uid="uid://dt00rjsodtady"]
 
 [ext_resource type="Texture2D" uid="uid://b6ylra30qxf30" path="res://assets/logo/logo.png" id="1_1fmce"]
+[ext_resource type="Script" path="res://scenes/ui/main_menu.gd" id="1_5gs73"]
 [ext_resource type="FontFile" uid="uid://bjaavdnopfh0q" path="res://assets/fonts/aoboshi_one/AoboshiOne-Regular.ttf" id="2_aqmkw"]
+[ext_resource type="Texture2D" uid="uid://da7o6lfuoliid" path="res://assets/textures/Backgrounds/meadow2.jpg" id="2_bb61v"]
+
+[sub_resource type="StyleBoxFlat" id="StyleBoxFlat_7grw7"]
+content_margin_left = 20.0
+content_margin_right = 20.0
+content_margin_bottom = 5.0
+bg_color = Color(0.799841, 0.529277, 0.323387, 1)
+corner_radius_top_left = 5
+corner_radius_top_right = 5
+corner_radius_bottom_right = 5
+corner_radius_bottom_left = 5
+
+[sub_resource type="StyleBoxFlat" id="StyleBoxFlat_xjg0j"]
+content_margin_left = 20.0
+content_margin_right = 20.0
+content_margin_bottom = 5.0
+bg_color = Color(0.799841, 0.529277, 0.323387, 1)
+corner_radius_top_left = 5
+corner_radius_top_right = 5
+corner_radius_bottom_right = 5
+corner_radius_bottom_left = 5
+
+[sub_resource type="StyleBoxFlat" id="StyleBoxFlat_3y6oq"]
+content_margin_left = 20.0
+content_margin_right = 20.0
+content_margin_bottom = 5.0
+bg_color = Color(0.799841, 0.529277, 0.323387, 1)
+corner_radius_top_left = 5
+corner_radius_top_right = 5
+corner_radius_bottom_right = 5
+corner_radius_bottom_left = 5
+
+[sub_resource type="StyleBoxFlat" id="StyleBoxFlat_cnake"]
+content_margin_left = 20.0
+content_margin_right = 20.0
+content_margin_bottom = 5.0
+bg_color = Color(0.799841, 0.529277, 0.323387, 1)
+corner_radius_top_left = 5
+corner_radius_top_right = 5
+corner_radius_bottom_right = 5
+corner_radius_bottom_left = 5
+
+[sub_resource type="StyleBoxFlat" id="StyleBoxFlat_0d7mr"]
+content_margin_left = 20.0
+content_margin_right = 20.0
+content_margin_bottom = 5.0
+bg_color = Color(0.799841, 0.529277, 0.323387, 1)
+corner_radius_top_left = 5
+corner_radius_top_right = 5
+corner_radius_bottom_right = 5
+corner_radius_bottom_left = 5
 
 [node name="MainMenu" type="Control"]
-visible = false
 layout_mode = 3
 anchors_preset = 15
 anchor_right = 1.0
 anchor_bottom = 1.0
 grow_horizontal = 2
 grow_vertical = 2
+script = ExtResource("1_5gs73")
+
+[node name="Background" type="TextureRect" parent="."]
+layout_mode = 1
+anchors_preset = 15
+anchor_right = 1.0
+anchor_bottom = 1.0
+grow_horizontal = 2
+grow_vertical = 2
+texture = ExtResource("2_bb61v")
+expand_mode = 3
+stretch_mode = 6
 
 [node name="VBoxContainer" type="VBoxContainer" parent="."]
 layout_mode = 1
@@ -22,7 +85,9 @@ grow_vertical = 2
 theme_override_constants/separation = 50
 
 [node name="Logo" type="TextureRect" parent="VBoxContainer"]
+custom_minimum_size = Vector2(600, 600)
 layout_mode = 2
+size_flags_horizontal = 4
 texture = ExtResource("1_1fmce")
 expand_mode = 4
 stretch_mode = 5
@@ -46,22 +111,88 @@ FANGEN"
 horizontal_alignment = 1
 max_lines_visible = 2
 
-[node name="MenuButtons" type="VBoxContainer" parent="VBoxContainer"]
+[node name="MarginContainer" type="MarginContainer" parent="VBoxContainer"]
+layout_mode = 2
+size_flags_vertical = 3
+theme_override_constants/margin_left = 50
+theme_override_constants/margin_top = 20
+theme_override_constants/margin_right = 50
+theme_override_constants/margin_bottom = 50
+
+[node name="MenuButtons" type="VBoxContainer" parent="VBoxContainer/MarginContainer"]
 layout_mode = 2
 size_flags_horizontal = 4
+size_flags_vertical = 3
 
-[node name="NewGameButton" type="Button" parent="VBoxContainer/MenuButtons"]
+[node name="NewGameButton" type="Button" parent="VBoxContainer/MarginContainer/MenuButtons"]
+unique_name_in_owner = true
 layout_mode = 2
+theme_override_colors/font_color = Color(0.355673, 0.203473, 0.0399276, 1)
+theme_override_fonts/font = ExtResource("2_aqmkw")
+theme_override_font_sizes/font_size = 45
+theme_override_styles/focus = SubResource("StyleBoxFlat_7grw7")
+theme_override_styles/hover_pressed = SubResource("StyleBoxFlat_xjg0j")
+theme_override_styles/hover = SubResource("StyleBoxFlat_3y6oq")
+theme_override_styles/pressed = SubResource("StyleBoxFlat_cnake")
+theme_override_styles/normal = SubResource("StyleBoxFlat_0d7mr")
 text = "New Game"
 
-[node name="ContinueGameButton" type="Button" parent="VBoxContainer/MenuButtons"]
+[node name="ContinueGameButton" type="Button" parent="VBoxContainer/MarginContainer/MenuButtons"]
+unique_name_in_owner = true
+visible = false
 layout_mode = 2
+theme_override_colors/font_color = Color(0.356863, 0.203922, 0.0392157, 1)
+theme_override_fonts/font = ExtResource("2_aqmkw")
+theme_override_font_sizes/font_size = 45
+theme_override_styles/focus = SubResource("StyleBoxFlat_0d7mr")
+theme_override_styles/hover_pressed = SubResource("StyleBoxFlat_0d7mr")
+theme_override_styles/hover = SubResource("StyleBoxFlat_0d7mr")
+theme_override_styles/pressed = SubResource("StyleBoxFlat_0d7mr")
+theme_override_styles/normal = SubResource("StyleBoxFlat_0d7mr")
 text = "Continue"
 
-[node name="OptionsButton" type="Button" parent="VBoxContainer/MenuButtons"]
+[node name="OptionsButton" type="Button" parent="VBoxContainer/MarginContainer/MenuButtons"]
+unique_name_in_owner = true
 layout_mode = 2
+theme_override_colors/font_color = Color(0.356863, 0.203922, 0.0392157, 1)
+theme_override_fonts/font = ExtResource("2_aqmkw")
+theme_override_font_sizes/font_size = 45
+theme_override_styles/focus = SubResource("StyleBoxFlat_0d7mr")
+theme_override_styles/hover_pressed = SubResource("StyleBoxFlat_0d7mr")
+theme_override_styles/hover = SubResource("StyleBoxFlat_0d7mr")
+theme_override_styles/pressed = SubResource("StyleBoxFlat_0d7mr")
+theme_override_styles/normal = SubResource("StyleBoxFlat_0d7mr")
 text = "Options"
 
-[node name="ExitButton" type="Button" parent="VBoxContainer/MenuButtons"]
+[node name="LicensesButton" type="Button" parent="VBoxContainer/MarginContainer/MenuButtons"]
+unique_name_in_owner = true
 layout_mode = 2
+theme_override_colors/font_color = Color(0.356863, 0.203922, 0.0392157, 1)
+theme_override_fonts/font = ExtResource("2_aqmkw")
+theme_override_font_sizes/font_size = 45
+theme_override_styles/focus = SubResource("StyleBoxFlat_0d7mr")
+theme_override_styles/hover_pressed = SubResource("StyleBoxFlat_0d7mr")
+theme_override_styles/hover = SubResource("StyleBoxFlat_0d7mr")
+theme_override_styles/pressed = SubResource("StyleBoxFlat_0d7mr")
+theme_override_styles/normal = SubResource("StyleBoxFlat_0d7mr")
+text = "Licenses"
+
+[node name="ExitButton" type="Button" parent="VBoxContainer/MarginContainer/MenuButtons"]
+unique_name_in_owner = true
+layout_mode = 2
+size_flags_vertical = 10
+theme_override_colors/font_color = Color(0.356863, 0.203922, 0.0392157, 1)
+theme_override_fonts/font = ExtResource("2_aqmkw")
+theme_override_font_sizes/font_size = 45
+theme_override_styles/focus = SubResource("StyleBoxFlat_0d7mr")
+theme_override_styles/hover_pressed = SubResource("StyleBoxFlat_0d7mr")
+theme_override_styles/hover = SubResource("StyleBoxFlat_0d7mr")
+theme_override_styles/pressed = SubResource("StyleBoxFlat_0d7mr")
+theme_override_styles/normal = SubResource("StyleBoxFlat_0d7mr")
 text = "Exit"
+
+[connection signal="pressed" from="VBoxContainer/MarginContainer/MenuButtons/NewGameButton" to="." method="_on_new_game_button_pressed"]
+[connection signal="pressed" from="VBoxContainer/MarginContainer/MenuButtons/ContinueGameButton" to="." method="_on_continue_game_button_pressed"]
+[connection signal="pressed" from="VBoxContainer/MarginContainer/MenuButtons/OptionsButton" to="." method="_on_options_button_pressed"]
+[connection signal="pressed" from="VBoxContainer/MarginContainer/MenuButtons/LicensesButton" to="." method="_on_licenses_button_pressed"]
+[connection signal="pressed" from="VBoxContainer/MarginContainer/MenuButtons/ExitButton" to="." method="_on_exit_button_pressed"]
diff --git a/scenes/ui/ui.gd b/scenes/ui/ui.gd
index a4387d8..e56785f 100644
--- a/scenes/ui/ui.gd
+++ b/scenes/ui/ui.gd
@@ -1,16 +1,35 @@
-extends CanvasLayer
-class_name UI
+extends Node
 
-@onready var ingame_menu: MarginContainer = %IngameMenu
+# these two signals come from the MainMenu and start / continue the game
+# gets sent to the main.gd scene
+signal on_new_game_started
+signal on_game_continued
+
+@onready var root: CanvasLayer = $/root/Game/UI
+@onready var main_menu: Control = $/root/Game/UI/MainMenu
+@onready var ingame_controls: MarginContainer = $/root/Game/UI/IngameControls
+@onready var ingame_menu: Control = $/root/Game/UI/IngameMenu
+@onready var camera_control_area : Control = $/root/Game/UI/CameraControlArea
+@onready var save_ui : Control = $/root/Game/UI/SaveUI
 
-# Called when the node enters the scene tree for the first time.
 func _ready() -> void:
-	pass # Replace with function body.
-
-# Called every frame. 'delta' is the elapsed time since the previous frame.
-func _process(delta: float) -> void:
+	main_menu.connect("on_game_continued", _on_main_menu_on_game_continued)
+	main_menu.connect("on_new_game_started", _on_main_menu_on_new_game_started)
+	
+	ingame_controls.connect("menu_button_clicked", _on_ingame_controls_menu_button_clicked)
+	ingame_controls.connect("save_button_clicked", _on_ingame_controls_save_button_clicked)
+	ingame_controls.connect("save_button_released", _on_ingame_controls_save_button_released)
+	ingame_controls.connect("save_timer_incremented", _on_ingame_controls_save_timer_incremented)
+	ingame_controls.connect("save_timer_reached", _on_ingame_controls_save_timer_reached)
+	
 	pass
 
+func show_main_menu(p_visible = true) -> void:
+	main_menu.visible = p_visible
+	
+func show_ingame_controls(p_visible = true) -> void:
+	ingame_controls.visible = p_visible
+
 func _on_ingame_controls_menu_button_clicked() -> void:
 	ingame_menu.visible = true
 
@@ -26,19 +45,28 @@ func _update_ui() -> void:
 
 
 func _on_ingame_controls_save_button_clicked() -> void:
-	%SaveUI.visible = true
+	save_ui.visible = true
 
 func _on_ingame_controls_save_button_released() -> void:
-	%SaveUI.visible = false
+	save_ui.visible = false
 
 func _on_ingame_controls_save_timer_incremented(value) -> void:
-	%SavePercentage.text = str(value)
+	save_ui.get_node("SavePercentage").text = str(value)
 
 
 func _on_ingame_controls_save_timer_reached() -> void:
-	%SavePercentage.text = "Saved!"
-	%IngameControls.disable_save_button()
+	save_ui.get_node("SavePercentage").text = "Saved!"
+	ingame_controls.disable_save_button()
 	await get_tree().create_timer(1.0).timeout
-	%IngameControls.enable_save_button()
-	$SaveUI.visible = false
-	%SavePercentage.text = "0%"
+	ingame_controls.enable_save_button()
+	save_ui.visible = false
+	save_ui.get_node("SavePercentage").text = "0%"
+
+
+# sends the signal from the MainMenu node up to the main.gd scene
+func _on_main_menu_on_new_game_started() -> void:
+	on_new_game_started.emit()
+
+# sends the signal from the MainMenu node up to the main.gd scene
+func _on_main_menu_on_game_continued() -> void:
+	on_game_continued.emit()
diff --git a/scenes/ui/ui.tscn b/scenes/ui/ui.tscn
index 844f986..1214b77 100644
--- a/scenes/ui/ui.tscn
+++ b/scenes/ui/ui.tscn
@@ -1,13 +1,11 @@
-[gd_scene load_steps=6 format=3 uid="uid://b5y7pdfe6ougf"]
+[gd_scene load_steps=5 format=3 uid="uid://b5y7pdfe6ougf"]
 
-[ext_resource type="Script" path="res://scenes/ui/ui.gd" id="1_vyi3s"]
 [ext_resource type="Script" path="res://scripts/camera_controls.gd" id="1_x56x6"]
 [ext_resource type="PackedScene" uid="uid://dt00rjsodtady" path="res://scenes/ui/main_menu.tscn" id="3_tcmm8"]
 [ext_resource type="PackedScene" uid="uid://1anjhvi173g3" path="res://scenes/ui/ingame_controls.tscn" id="4_likk0"]
 [ext_resource type="PackedScene" uid="uid://bbvbnrcjatkrb" path="res://scenes/ui/ingame_menu.tscn" id="5_qjqu1"]
 
 [node name="UI" type="CanvasLayer"]
-script = ExtResource("1_vyi3s")
 
 [node name="CameraControlArea" type="Control" parent="."]
 layout_mode = 3
@@ -52,17 +50,12 @@ horizontal_alignment = 1
 vertical_alignment = 1
 
 [node name="MainMenu" parent="." instance=ExtResource("3_tcmm8")]
+unique_name_in_owner = true
 
 [node name="IngameControls" parent="." instance=ExtResource("4_likk0")]
 unique_name_in_owner = true
+visible = false
 
 [node name="IngameMenu" parent="." instance=ExtResource("5_qjqu1")]
 unique_name_in_owner = true
 visible = false
-
-[connection signal="gui_input" from="CameraControlArea" to="CameraControlArea" method="_on_gui_input"]
-[connection signal="menu_button_clicked" from="IngameControls" to="." method="_on_ingame_controls_menu_button_clicked"]
-[connection signal="save_button_clicked" from="IngameControls" to="." method="_on_ingame_controls_save_button_clicked"]
-[connection signal="save_button_released" from="IngameControls" to="." method="_on_ingame_controls_save_button_released"]
-[connection signal="save_timer_incremented" from="IngameControls" to="." method="_on_ingame_controls_save_timer_incremented"]
-[connection signal="save_timer_reached" from="IngameControls" to="." method="_on_ingame_controls_save_timer_reached"]
diff --git a/scenes/worlds/debug_level.tscn b/scenes/worlds/debug_level.tscn
index 948b1b4..e18f5c8 100644
--- a/scenes/worlds/debug_level.tscn
+++ b/scenes/worlds/debug_level.tscn
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
-[gd_scene load_steps=11 format=3 uid="uid://p8agd0dfam0p"]
+[gd_scene load_steps=10 format=3 uid="uid://p8agd0dfam0p"]
 
-[ext_resource type="PackedScene" uid="uid://be5bc5gjbo875" path="res://scenes/player/player.tscn" id="1_ra6oo"]
 [ext_resource type="PackedScene" uid="uid://dawpmu4vvv3rs" path="res://scenes/monster_spawnpoint/monster_spawnpoint.tscn" id="3_esgto"]
 [ext_resource type="Script" path="res://resources/monster_data.gd" id="3_iktqp"]
 [ext_resource type="Resource" uid="uid://0xqaef8uftnv" path="res://resources/monsters/debuggy.tres" id="4_noslo"]
@@ -28,8 +27,6 @@ glow_enabled = true
 
 [node name="DebugLevel" type="Node3D"]
 
-[node name="Player" parent="." instance=ExtResource("1_ra6oo")]
-
 [node name="Floor" type="StaticBody3D" parent="."]
 metadata/_edit_lock_ = true
 
diff --git a/scripts/camera_controls.gd b/scripts/camera_controls.gd
index b952945..7003306 100644
--- a/scripts/camera_controls.gd
+++ b/scripts/camera_controls.gd
@@ -1,23 +1,14 @@
 extends Control
 
 var pressed: bool = false
-var previous_position: Vector2 = Vector2(0, 0)
-var touch_delta: Vector2 = Vector2(0, 0)
-var current_delta: Vector2 = Vector2(0, 0)
-var dampening_factor: float = 0.8  # Lower values = more dampening (0-1 range)
+var previous_position : Vector2 = Vector2.ZERO
+var speed : float = 0.04
 
 # Called every frame. 'delta' is the elapsed time since the previous frame.
 func _process(delta: float) -> void:
-	var t = clamp(dampening_factor * delta, 0.0, 1.0)  # Clamp to 0-1 range
-	current_delta = lerp(current_delta, Vector2(0, 0), ease(t, -0.5))  # Use easing with lerp
+	pass
 
-	# Simulate joystick motion using the dampened delta.
-	simulate_joystick_motion(JOY_AXIS_RIGHT_X, -current_delta.x * 0.1, 0)
-
-	# Debug: See the current delta
-	#print(current_delta)
-
-func _on_gui_input(event: InputEvent) -> void:
+func _gui_input(event: InputEvent) -> void:
 	# Filter touch or drag events only.
 	if event is not InputEventScreenTouch and event is not InputEventScreenDrag:
 		return
@@ -25,16 +16,18 @@ func _on_gui_input(event: InputEvent) -> void:
 	if event is InputEventScreenTouch:
 		if event.is_pressed():
 			pressed = true
-			previous_position = event.position  # Initialize previous position on touch start
 		else:
 			pressed = false
-			touch_delta = Vector2(0, 0)  # Reset delta on touch release
+			simulate_joystick_motion(JOY_AXIS_RIGHT_X, 0, 0)
 
 	if pressed and event is InputEventScreenDrag:
-		# Calculate the delta between the current and previous touch position.
-		touch_delta = event.position - previous_position
+		var delta_position : Vector2 = event.position - previous_position
+		print(delta_position)
+		simulate_joystick_motion(JOY_AXIS_RIGHT_X, -delta_position.x * speed, 0)
+		#simulate_joystick_motion(JOY_AXIS_RIGHT_Y, delta_position.y * speed, 0)
+		
+		# finally update the previous position
 		previous_position = event.position
-		current_delta = touch_delta * 0.5  # Update current delta with the new drag value
 
 func simulate_joystick_motion(axis: int, value: float, device_id: int = 0) -> void:
 	var joystick_event = InputEventJoypadMotion.new()