fixed assertion

src/main.cpp

@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 #include <memory>
 #include <filesystem>
 #include <thread>
+#include <atomic>
 
 #include "audio/Audio.h"
 #include "audio/SoundEffect.h"
@@ -696,7 +697,6 @@ int main(int, char **)
                 exeDir.string().c_str(), ec.message().c_str());
         }
 #endif
-        SDL_free(const_cast<char*>(basePathRaw));
     } else {
         SDL_LogWarn(SDL_LOG_CATEGORY_APPLICATION,
             "SDL_GetBasePath() failed; asset lookups rely on current directory: %s",
@@ -711,15 +711,13 @@ int main(int, char **)
     pixelFont.init("assets/fonts/PressStart2P-Regular.ttf", 16);
     
     ScoreManager scores;
+    std::atomic<bool> scoresLoadComplete{false};
     // Load scores asynchronously but keep the worker alive until shutdown to avoid lifetime issues
-    std::jthread scoreLoader([&scores]() {
+    std::jthread scoreLoader([&scores, &scoresLoadComplete]() {
         scores.load();
+        scoresLoadComplete.store(true, std::memory_order_release);
     });
-    const auto ensureScoresLoaded = [&]() {
+    std::jthread menuTrackLoader;
-        if (scoreLoader.joinable()) {
-            scoreLoader.join();
-        }
-    };
     Starfield starfield;
     starfield.init(200, LOGICAL_W, LOGICAL_H);
     Starfield3D starfield3D;
@@ -904,7 +902,7 @@ int main(int, char **)
     // Allow states to access the state manager for transitions
     ctx.stateManager = &stateMgr;
     ctx.game = &game;
-    ctx.scores = &scores;
+    ctx.scores = nullptr; // populated once async load finishes
     ctx.starfield = &starfield;
     ctx.starfield3D = &starfield3D;
     ctx.font = &font;
@@ -938,6 +936,15 @@ int main(int, char **)
         running = false;
     };
 
+    auto ensureScoresLoaded = [&]() {
+        if (scoreLoader.joinable()) {
+            scoreLoader.join();
+        }
+        if (!ctx.scores) {
+            ctx.scores = &scores;
+        }
+    };
+
     auto beginStateFade = [&](AppState targetState, bool armGameplayCountdown) {
         if (!ctx.stateManager) {
             return;
@@ -1023,6 +1030,10 @@ int main(int, char **)
     // Playing, LevelSelect and GameOver currently use inline logic in main; we'll migrate later
     while (running)
     {
+        if (!ctx.scores && scoresLoadComplete.load(std::memory_order_acquire)) {
+            ensureScoresLoaded();
+        }
+
         int winW = 0, winH = 0;
         SDL_GetWindowSize(window, &winW, &winH);
         
@@ -1460,14 +1471,17 @@ int main(int, char **)
                 // Load menu track once on first menu entry (in background to avoid blocking)
                 static bool menuTrackLoaded = false;
                 if (!menuTrackLoaded) {
-                    std::thread([]() {
+                    if (menuTrackLoader.joinable()) {
+                        menuTrackLoader.join();
+                    }
+                    menuTrackLoader = std::jthread([]() {
                         std::string menuTrack = AssetPath::resolveWithExtensions("assets/music/Every Block You Take", { ".mp3" });
                         if (!menuTrack.empty()) {
                             Audio::instance().setMenuTrack(menuTrack);
                         } else {
                             SDL_LogWarn(SDL_LOG_CATEGORY_APPLICATION, "Menu track not found (Every Block You Take)");
                         }
-                    }).detach();
+                    });
                     menuTrackLoaded = true;
                 }
                 
@@ -1959,6 +1973,15 @@ int main(int, char **)
     // Save settings on exit
     Settings::instance().save();
     
+    if (scoreLoader.joinable()) {
+        scoreLoader.join();
+        if (!ctx.scores) {
+            ctx.scores = &scores;
+        }
+    }
+    if (menuTrackLoader.joinable()) {
+        menuTrackLoader.join();
+    }
     lineEffect.shutdown();
     Audio::instance().shutdown();
     SoundEffectManager::instance().shutdown();

src/states/MenuState.cpp

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 #include <algorithm>
 #include <array>
 #include <cmath>
+#include <vector>
 
 // Use dynamic logical dimensions from GlobalState instead of hardcoded values
 // This allows the UI to adapt when the window is resized or goes fullscreen
@@ -239,7 +240,8 @@ void MenuState::render(SDL_Renderer* renderer, float logicalScale, SDL_Rect logi
 
     // High scores table with wave offset
     float scoresStartY = topPlayersY + 70; // more spacing under title
-    const auto &hs = ctx.scores ? ctx.scores->all() : *(new std::vector<ScoreEntry>());
+    static const std::vector<ScoreEntry> EMPTY_SCORES;
+    const auto& hs = ctx.scores ? ctx.scores->all() : EMPTY_SCORES;
     size_t maxDisplay = std::min(hs.size(), size_t(12));
 
     // Draw table header