Fade from main menu to gameplay

src/graphics/renderers/GameRenderer.cpp

@@ -124,7 +124,8 @@ void GameRenderer::renderPlayingState(
     float winW,
     float winH,
     bool showExitConfirmPopup,
-    int exitPopupSelectedButton
+    int exitPopupSelectedButton,
+    bool suppressPauseVisuals
 ) {
     if (!game || !pixelFont) return;
     
@@ -237,8 +238,10 @@ void GameRenderer::renderPlayingState(
         }
     }
     
+    bool allowActivePieceRender = !game->isPaused() || suppressPauseVisuals;
+
     // Draw ghost piece (where current piece will land)
-    if (!game->isPaused()) {
+    if (allowActivePieceRender) {
         Game::Piece ghostPiece = game->current();
         // Find landing position
         while (true) {
@@ -271,7 +274,7 @@ void GameRenderer::renderPlayingState(
     }
     
     // Draw the falling piece
-    if (!game->isPaused()) {
+    if (allowActivePieceRender) {
         drawPiece(renderer, blocksTex, game->current(), gridX, gridY, finalBlockSize, false);
     }
     
@@ -413,8 +416,8 @@ void GameRenderer::renderPlayingState(
         drawSmallPiece(renderer, blocksTex, static_cast<PieceType>(game->held().type), statsX + 60, statsY + statsH - 80, finalBlockSize * 0.6f);
     }
     
-    // Pause overlay
-    if (game->isPaused() && !showExitConfirmPopup) {
+    // Pause overlay (skip when visuals are suppressed, e.g., countdown)
+    if (!suppressPauseVisuals && game->isPaused() && !showExitConfirmPopup) {
         SDL_SetRenderDrawColor(renderer, 0, 0, 0, 180);
         SDL_FRect pauseOverlay{0, 0, logicalW, logicalH};
         SDL_RenderFillRect(renderer, &pauseOverlay);