fixed barks/laments pauses while in conversation

Assets/ScriptableObjects/LevelsData/LevelLoaderData.asset

@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ MonoBehaviour:
     LevelNameToDisplay: Test Hub
     DialogueVariableName: 
     LoadSceneMode: 0
-  - LevelName: Wasteland
+  - LevelName: Wasteland_Arenas
     LevelNameToDisplay: Wasteland
     DialogueVariableName: 
     LoadSceneMode: 0

Assets/Scripts/Utils/BarkPlayer.cs

@@ -2,11 +2,12 @@ using System.Collections;
 using System.Collections.Generic;
 using System.Linq;
 using PixelCrushers; // For Saver
-using Sirenix.OdinInspector; // For ReadOnly/Button attributes (Optional: remove if not using Odin)
+using PixelCrushers.DialogueSystem; // REQUIRED: Added for DialogueManager events
+using Sirenix.OdinInspector;
 using UnityEngine;
 using Random = UnityEngine.Random;
 
-namespace Beyond // Ensure this namespace matches your project
+namespace Beyond
 {
     [RequireComponent(typeof(Collider))]
     public class BarkPlayer : Saver
@@ -28,6 +29,10 @@ namespace Beyond // Ensure this namespace matches your project
         [Tooltip("Play barks within each entry in a random order (shuffled when the entry starts).")]
         public bool shuffleOrder = false;
 
+        [Header("Dialogue Integration")] // --- NEW SECTION ---
+        [Tooltip("How long to wait after a dialogue ends before resuming barks.")]
+        public float resumeDelayAfterDialogue = 2.0f;
+
         [Header("Trigger Settings")]
         [Tooltip("Layers that can activate this bark trigger.")]
         public LayerMask triggeringLayers;
@@ -36,30 +41,30 @@ namespace Beyond // Ensure this namespace matches your project
         [Tooltip("If true, the BarkPlayer will be active automatically when the game starts or when loaded without existing save data for it.")]
         public bool startAutomaticallyOnLoad = false;
 
-        // Runtime state fields remain private but visible for debugging if needed
         [Header("Runtime State (Read Only)")]
-        [SerializeField, ReadOnly] // Use Sirenix ReadOnly or remove if not using Odin
+        [SerializeField, ReadOnly] 
-        private bool _runtime_IsStarted = false; // Tracks the current operational state
+        private bool _runtime_IsStarted = false;
 
         [SerializeField, ReadOnly]
-        private int currentEntryArrayIndex = 0; // Index for barkManagerEntryIndices array
+        private int currentEntryArrayIndex = 0;
 
         [SerializeField, ReadOnly]
-        private int nextBarkSequenceIndex = 0; // Index for playbackOrder (within current entry)
+        private int nextBarkSequenceIndex = 0;
 
         [SerializeField, ReadOnly]
-        private bool isTriggeringObjectInside = false; // Is a valid object currently inside?
+        private bool isTriggeringObjectInside = false;
 
         #endregion
 
         #region Internal Variables
 
-        private List<int> playbackOrder; // Stores the bark order for the CURRENTLY active entry
+        private List<int> playbackOrder;
         private bool isInitialized = false;
         private Collider triggerCollider;
-        private BarkManager barkManager; // Cached reference
+        private BarkManager barkManager;
         private Coroutine currentPlaybackCoroutine = null;
-        private Transform currentTriggererTransform = null; // Transform of the object inside
+        private Coroutine resumeCoroutine = null; // To track the resume timer
+        private Transform currentTriggererTransform = null;
 
         #endregion
 
@@ -68,10 +73,10 @@ namespace Beyond // Ensure this namespace matches your project
         [System.Serializable]
         public class BarkPlayerData
         {
-            public bool savedIsStarted; // Tracks the saved state from _runtime_IsStarted
+            public bool savedIsStarted;
             public int savedCurrentEntryArrayIndex;
             public int savedNextBarkSequenceIndex;
-            public bool wasShuffled; // Tracks shuffle setting at time of save
+            public bool wasShuffled;
         }
         private BarkPlayerData m_saveData = new BarkPlayerData();
 
@@ -87,22 +92,35 @@ namespace Beyond // Ensure this namespace matches your project
             triggerCollider = GetComponent<Collider>();
             if (!triggerCollider.isTrigger)
             {
-                Debug.LogWarning($"BarkPlayer on {gameObject.name}: Collider was not set to 'Is Trigger'. Forcing it.", this);
                 triggerCollider.isTrigger = true;
             }
 
             if (triggeringLayers.value == 0)
             {
-                int playerLayer = LayerMask.NameToLayer("Player");
+                triggeringLayers = LayerMask.GetMask("Player");
-                if (playerLayer != -1)
+            }
-                {
+        }
-                    triggeringLayers = LayerMask.GetMask("Player");
+
-                    Debug.LogWarning($"BarkPlayer on {gameObject.name}: Triggering Layers not set in inspector, defaulting to 'Player' layer.", this);
+        public override void OnEnable()
-                }
+        {
-                else
+            base.OnEnable();
-                {
+            // Subscribe to global Dialogue System events
-                    Debug.LogError($"BarkPlayer ({gameObject.name}): Triggering Layers is not set in the inspector, and the default 'Player' layer was not found. This trigger will likely not activate.", this);
+            // We use the C# event delegates instead of the component message system for reliability
-                }
+            if (DialogueManager.instance != null)
+            {
+                DialogueManager.instance.conversationStarted += OnDialogueStarted;
+                DialogueManager.instance.conversationEnded += OnDialogueEnded;
+            }
+        }
+
+        public override void OnDisable()
+        {
+            base.OnDisable();
+            // Unsubscribe to prevent memory leaks
+            if (DialogueManager.instance != null)
+            {
+                DialogueManager.instance.conversationStarted -= OnDialogueStarted;
+                DialogueManager.instance.conversationEnded -= OnDialogueEnded;
             }
         }
 
@@ -111,7 +129,6 @@ namespace Beyond // Ensure this namespace matches your project
             barkManager = BarkManager.Instance;
             if (barkManager == null)
             {
-                Debug.LogError($"BarkPlayer ({gameObject.name}): Could not find BarkManager instance! Disabling component.", this);
                 enabled = false;
                 return;
             }
@@ -120,22 +137,12 @@ namespace Beyond // Ensure this namespace matches your project
 
             if (barkManagerEntryIndices == null || barkManagerEntryIndices.Length == 0)
             {
-                Debug.LogWarning($"BarkPlayer ({gameObject.name}): No Bark Manager Entry Indices provided. Disabling.", this);
                 enabled = false;
                 return;
             }
-            for (int i = 0; i < barkManagerEntryIndices.Length; i++)
-            {
-                if (barkManagerEntryIndices[i] < 0 || barkManagerEntryIndices[i] >= barkManager.m_barks.Length)
-                {
-                    Debug.LogError($"BarkPlayer ({gameObject.name}): Invalid Bark Manager Entry Index {barkManagerEntryIndices[i]} at array position {i}. Max index is {barkManager.m_barks.Length - 1}. Disabling.", this);
-                    enabled = false;
-                    return;
-                }
-            }
 
             isInitialized = true;
-            CheckForAutoStartIfInside(); // Check immediately if conditions are met
+            CheckForAutoStartIfInside();
         }
 
         private void OnDrawGizmos()
@@ -151,73 +158,91 @@ namespace Beyond // Ensure this namespace matches your project
 
         #endregion
 
+        #region Dialogue System Event Handlers (New Logic)
+
+        // Called automatically by Dialogue System whenever ANY conversation starts
+        private void OnDialogueStarted(Transform actor)
+        {
+            if (resumeCoroutine != null) StopCoroutine(resumeCoroutine);
+
+            // Halt the bark loop immediately
+            if (currentPlaybackCoroutine != null)
+            {
+                Debug.Log($"BarkPlayer ({gameObject.name}): Dialogue started. Halting barks.", this);
+                StopCoroutine(currentPlaybackCoroutine);
+                currentPlaybackCoroutine = null;
+            }
+        }
+
+        // Called automatically by Dialogue System whenever ANY conversation ends
+        private void OnDialogueEnded(Transform actor)
+        {
+            // Don't resume if we aren't supposed to be running or nobody is inside
+            if (_runtime_IsStarted && isTriggeringObjectInside && enabled)
+            {
+                Debug.Log($"BarkPlayer ({gameObject.name}): Dialogue ended. Resuming in {resumeDelayAfterDialogue}s.", this);
+                resumeCoroutine = StartCoroutine(ResumeAfterDialogueDelay());
+            }
+        }
+
+        private IEnumerator ResumeAfterDialogueDelay()
+        {
+            yield return new WaitForSeconds(resumeDelayAfterDialogue);
+            
+            // Check conditions again in case player left during the wait
+            CheckForAutoStartIfInside();
+            resumeCoroutine = null;
+        }
+
+        #endregion
+
         #region Trigger Handling
 
         private void OnTriggerEnter(Collider other)
         {
-            // Only ignore if not initialized or component is disabled
             if (!isInitialized || !enabled) return;
 
-            // --- Layer Check ---
             int otherLayer = other.gameObject.layer;
-            if ((triggeringLayers.value & (1 << otherLayer)) == 0)
+            if ((triggeringLayers.value & (1 << otherLayer)) == 0) return;
-            {
-                return; // Layer not in mask, ignore this trigger event
-            }
 
-            // --- Check if already processing an object ---
+            if (isTriggeringObjectInside && other.transform != currentTriggererTransform) return;
-            // This prevents multiple triggering objects from interfering. Only the first one in matters.
+            if (isTriggeringObjectInside) return;
-            if (isTriggeringObjectInside && other.transform != currentTriggererTransform)
+
+            isTriggeringObjectInside = true;
+            currentTriggererTransform = other.transform;
+
+            // Added check: Don't start barking if a conversation is ALREADY active
+            if (DialogueManager.isConversationActive)
             {
-                // If another object enters while one is already tracked, ignore the new one.
+                Debug.Log($"BarkPlayer ({gameObject.name}): Trigger entered, but dialogue is active. Waiting for dialogue end.", this);
-                // If it's the *same* object re-entering (somehow), this check might be too strict,
-                // but standard OnTriggerEnter/Exit should handle one object at a time.
                 return;
             }
-            if (isTriggeringObjectInside) return; // Simplified: if already tracking one, ignore others.
 
-            // --- Valid Trigger - Mark presence ---
-            // We set these REGARDLESS of _runtime_IsStarted so state is correct when StartPlayer() is called
-            Debug.Log($"BarkPlayer ({gameObject.name}): Triggering object '{other.name}' entered (tracking presence).", this);
-            isTriggeringObjectInside = true;
-            currentTriggererTransform = other.transform; // Store the transform for barking
-
-            // --- Start Playback Coroutine if player is started and not already running ---
-            // This handles the case where the player enters *after* StartPlayer() has been called
             if (_runtime_IsStarted && currentPlaybackCoroutine == null)
             {
-                Debug.Log($"BarkPlayer ({gameObject.name}): Player is active. Starting playback loop due to new entry.", this);
-                // Apply potentially loaded/saved array index before starting loop
                 currentEntryArrayIndex = Mathf.Clamp(m_saveData.savedCurrentEntryArrayIndex, 0, Mathf.Max(0, barkManagerEntryIndices.Length - 1));
-                // nextBarkSequenceIndex will be set by PrepareEntrySequence inside the coroutine
                 currentPlaybackCoroutine = StartCoroutine(ContinuousPlaybackLoop());
             }
-            // If !_runtime_IsStarted, isTriggeringObjectInside is now true,
-            // and CheckForAutoStartIfInside() (called by StartPlayer()) will pick it up.
         }
 
-
         private void OnTriggerExit(Collider other)
         {
             if (!isInitialized || !enabled) return;
 
             int otherLayer = other.gameObject.layer;
-            if ((triggeringLayers.value & (1 << otherLayer)) == 0)
+            if ((triggeringLayers.value & (1 << otherLayer)) == 0) return;
-            {
-                return;
-            }
 
             if (other.transform == currentTriggererTransform)
             {
-                Debug.Log($"BarkPlayer ({gameObject.name}): Tracked triggering object '{other.name}' exited.", this);
                 isTriggeringObjectInside = false;
                 currentTriggererTransform = null;
 
+                if (resumeCoroutine != null) StopCoroutine(resumeCoroutine);
+
                 if (currentPlaybackCoroutine != null)
                 {
                     StopCoroutine(currentPlaybackCoroutine);
                     currentPlaybackCoroutine = null;
-                    Debug.Log($"BarkPlayer ({gameObject.name}): Stopping playback loop due to exit.", this);
                 }
             }
         }
@@ -233,7 +258,6 @@ namespace Beyond // Ensure this namespace matches your project
             int barkCount = barkManager.GetBarkCountInEntry(entryIndexToPrepare);
             if (barkCount <= 0)
             {
-                Debug.LogWarning($"BarkPlayer ({gameObject.name}): BarkEntry {entryIndexToPrepare} (from array index {currentEntryArrayIndex}) has no barks. Skipping entry.", this);
                 playbackOrder = new List<int>();
                 nextBarkSequenceIndex = 0;
                 return false;
@@ -249,9 +273,8 @@ namespace Beyond // Ensure this namespace matches your project
                 }
             }
 
-            // Apply saved index ONLY if the loaded entry array index matches the current one
+            // If we are resuming mid-sequence (because coroutine was stopped/restarted), 
-            // AND if the shuffle setting at time of save matches current.
+            // we try to respect the saved index, otherwise reset to 0.
-            // If shuffle setting changed, it's safer to restart the entry.
             if (currentEntryArrayIndex == m_saveData.savedCurrentEntryArrayIndex && shuffleOrder == m_saveData.wasShuffled)
             {
                 nextBarkSequenceIndex = Mathf.Clamp(m_saveData.savedNextBarkSequenceIndex, 0, playbackOrder.Count);
@@ -260,36 +283,26 @@ namespace Beyond // Ensure this namespace matches your project
             {
                 nextBarkSequenceIndex = 0;
             }
-            // Clear the saved next bark index after applying it or deciding not to,
-            // so it's not incorrectly reused if we loop back to this entry without saving/loading.
-            // m_saveData.savedNextBarkSequenceIndex = 0; // Reconsider this - only clear on actual load/new entry start.
 
             return true;
         }
 
         private IEnumerator ContinuousPlaybackLoop()
         {
-            Debug.Log($"BarkPlayer ({gameObject.name}): Starting playback loop.", this);
-
             if (barkManagerEntryIndices == null || barkManagerEntryIndices.Length == 0)
             {
-                Debug.LogError($"BarkPlayer ({gameObject.name}): Cannot start loop, entry indices array is empty or null.", this);
                 currentPlaybackCoroutine = null;
                 yield break;
             }
 
-            // Outer loop: Continues as long as a valid triggering object is inside AND player is started
+            while (isTriggeringObjectInside && currentTriggererTransform != null && _runtime_IsStarted)
-            while (isTriggeringObjectInside && currentTriggererTransform != null && _runtime_IsStarted) // Added _runtime_IsStarted check here too
             {
+                // Safety check: if dialogue started while we were in a yield, break immediately
+                if (DialogueManager.isConversationActive) break;
+
                 if (currentEntryArrayIndex >= barkManagerEntryIndices.Length)
                 {
                     currentEntryArrayIndex = 0;
-                    if (barkManagerEntryIndices.Length == 0)
-                    {
-                        Debug.LogError($"BarkPlayer ({gameObject.name}): Entry indices array became empty during loop?", this);
-                        currentPlaybackCoroutine = null; // Ensure it's cleared
-                        yield break;
-                    }
                 }
 
                 int currentManagerEntryIndex = barkManagerEntryIndices[currentEntryArrayIndex];
@@ -298,25 +311,30 @@ namespace Beyond // Ensure this namespace matches your project
                 if (!canPlayEntry)
                 {
                     currentEntryArrayIndex++;
-                    m_saveData.savedNextBarkSequenceIndex = 0; // Ensure next time this entry is loaded (if looping), it starts fresh
+                    m_saveData.savedNextBarkSequenceIndex = 0;
                     yield return null;
                     continue;
                 }
 
                 while (nextBarkSequenceIndex < playbackOrder.Count && isTriggeringObjectInside && currentTriggererTransform != null && _runtime_IsStarted)
                 {
-                    while (barkManager.IsPlaying && isTriggeringObjectInside && _runtime_IsStarted)
+                    // Wait for any other barks (or dialogue) to finish
+                    while ((barkManager.IsPlaying || DialogueManager.isConversationActive) && isTriggeringObjectInside && _runtime_IsStarted)
                     {
+                        // If dialogue becomes active during this wait, the OnDialogueStarted event 
+                        // will kill this coroutine, so this check is just a backup.
                         yield return null;
                     }
                     if (!isTriggeringObjectInside || currentTriggererTransform == null || !_runtime_IsStarted) break;
 
                     int barkIndexToPlay = playbackOrder[nextBarkSequenceIndex];
-                    Debug.Log($"BarkPlayer ({gameObject.name}): Playing Bark {nextBarkSequenceIndex + 1}/{playbackOrder.Count} (Actual Index: {barkIndexToPlay}) from Entry {currentManagerEntryIndex}.", this);
+                    
-
                     AudioClip playedClip = barkManager.PlayBark(currentManagerEntryIndex, currentTriggererTransform, barkIndexToPlay);
                     nextBarkSequenceIndex++;
 
+                    // Update Save Data immediately so if we stop mid-sequence we know where we were
+                    m_saveData.savedNextBarkSequenceIndex = nextBarkSequenceIndex;
+
                     float waitTime = delayBetweenBarks;
                     if (playedClip != null) { waitTime += Mathf.Max(0f, playedClip.length); }
 
@@ -325,6 +343,7 @@ namespace Beyond // Ensure this namespace matches your project
                         float timer = 0f;
                         while (timer < waitTime && isTriggeringObjectInside && currentTriggererTransform != null && _runtime_IsStarted)
                         {
+                            if (DialogueManager.isConversationActive) break; // Break timer on dialogue
                             timer += Time.deltaTime;
                             yield return null;
                         }
@@ -334,39 +353,41 @@ namespace Beyond // Ensure this namespace matches your project
                         yield return null;
                     }
 
+                    if (DialogueManager.isConversationActive) break; // Exit loop if dialogue started
                     if (!isTriggeringObjectInside || currentTriggererTransform == null || !_runtime_IsStarted) break;
                 }
 
+                // If we broke out due to dialogue, exit the outer loop properly
+                if (DialogueManager.isConversationActive) break;
+
                 if (isTriggeringObjectInside && currentTriggererTransform != null && _runtime_IsStarted)
                 {
-                    Debug.Log($"BarkPlayer ({gameObject.name}): Finished sequence for Entry {currentManagerEntryIndex}.", this);
                     currentEntryArrayIndex++;
-                    m_saveData.savedNextBarkSequenceIndex = 0; // Reset for next entry
+                    m_saveData.savedNextBarkSequenceIndex = 0;
+                    // Reset save data sequence index for next entry
+                    m_saveData.savedCurrentEntryArrayIndex = currentEntryArrayIndex;
 
                     if (currentEntryArrayIndex >= barkManagerEntryIndices.Length)
                     {
-                        Debug.Log($"BarkPlayer ({gameObject.name}): Finished all entries in the array. Looping back.", this);
                         currentEntryArrayIndex = 0;
                     }
 
                     if (delayBetweenEntries > 0)
                     {
-                        Debug.Log($"BarkPlayer ({gameObject.name}): Waiting {delayBetweenEntries}s before next entry.", this);
                         float timer = 0f;
                         while (timer < delayBetweenEntries && isTriggeringObjectInside && currentTriggererTransform != null && _runtime_IsStarted)
                         {
+                            if (DialogueManager.isConversationActive) break;
                             timer += Time.deltaTime;
                             yield return null;
                         }
+                        if (DialogueManager.isConversationActive) break;
                         if (!isTriggeringObjectInside || currentTriggererTransform == null || !_runtime_IsStarted) break;
                     }
                 }
             }
 
-            Debug.Log($"BarkPlayer ({gameObject.name}): Playback loop finished.", this);
+            if (currentPlaybackCoroutine == this.currentPlaybackCoroutine)
-            // Only clear if this instance of the coroutine is the one stopping.
-            // If StopPlayer() was called, it would have already nulled currentPlaybackCoroutine.
-            if (currentPlaybackCoroutine == this.currentPlaybackCoroutine) // Check if this is still the active coroutine
             {
                  currentPlaybackCoroutine = null;
             }
@@ -381,23 +402,12 @@ namespace Beyond // Ensure this namespace matches your project
         {
             if (!_runtime_IsStarted)
             {
-                Debug.Log($"BarkPlayer ({gameObject.name}): Player Runtime Explicitly Started.", this);
                 _runtime_IsStarted = true;
-                // Clear any previously saved next bark index when explicitly starting,
-                // unless shuffle settings are the same and we are on the same entry.
-                // This is tricky. For now, CheckForAutoStartIfInside will rely on PrepareEntrySequence
-                // to correctly determine if it should resume.
-                // m_saveData.savedNextBarkSequenceIndex = 0; // Maybe too aggressive.
-
                 if (isInitialized)
                 {
                     CheckForAutoStartIfInside();
                 }
             }
-            else
-            {
-                Debug.Log($"BarkPlayer ({gameObject.name}): Player Runtime was already started.", this);
-            }
         }
 
         [Button]
@@ -405,53 +415,38 @@ namespace Beyond // Ensure this namespace matches your project
         {
             if (_runtime_IsStarted)
             {
-                Debug.Log($"BarkPlayer ({gameObject.name}): Player Runtime Explicitly Stopped.", this);
                 _runtime_IsStarted = false;
-
+                if (resumeCoroutine != null) StopCoroutine(resumeCoroutine);
                 if (currentPlaybackCoroutine != null)
                 {
                     StopCoroutine(currentPlaybackCoroutine);
                     currentPlaybackCoroutine = null;
-                    Debug.Log($"BarkPlayer ({gameObject.name}): Stopping active playback loop due to StopPlayer call.", this);
                 }
             }
         }
 
         private void CheckForAutoStartIfInside()
         {
-            // This is called from Start() and StartPlayer()
             if (_runtime_IsStarted && isTriggeringObjectInside && currentTriggererTransform != null && currentPlaybackCoroutine == null && isInitialized)
             {
-                Debug.Log($"BarkPlayer ({gameObject.name}): Conditions met for auto-start. Object inside, player started, no active coroutine. Starting playback loop.", this);
+                // Double check dialogue isn't running before starting
-                // Ensure currentEntryArrayIndex is correctly set from save data before starting
+                if (!DialogueManager.isConversationActive)
-                // (it should already be from Start() or ApplyData(), but good to be sure)
+                {
-                currentEntryArrayIndex = Mathf.Clamp(m_saveData.savedCurrentEntryArrayIndex, 0, Mathf.Max(0, barkManagerEntryIndices.Length - 1));
+                    currentEntryArrayIndex = Mathf.Clamp(m_saveData.savedCurrentEntryArrayIndex, 0, Mathf.Max(0, barkManagerEntryIndices.Length - 1));
-                // nextBarkSequenceIndex will be determined by PrepareEntrySequence
+                    currentPlaybackCoroutine = StartCoroutine(ContinuousPlaybackLoop());
-                currentPlaybackCoroutine = StartCoroutine(ContinuousPlaybackLoop());
+                }
             }
         }
 
         #endregion
 
-        #region Save System Integration (Pixel Crushers Saver)
+        #region Save System Integration
 
         public override string RecordData()
         {
             m_saveData.savedIsStarted = this._runtime_IsStarted;
             m_saveData.savedCurrentEntryArrayIndex = this.currentEntryArrayIndex;
-            // Only save nextBarkSequenceIndex if a coroutine is running and we are "mid-sequence"
+            m_saveData.savedNextBarkSequenceIndex = this.nextBarkSequenceIndex;
-            // Otherwise, it should be 0 for the next entry.
-            if (currentPlaybackCoroutine != null && nextBarkSequenceIndex > 0 && nextBarkSequenceIndex < (playbackOrder?.Count ?? 0))
-            {
-                m_saveData.savedNextBarkSequenceIndex = this.nextBarkSequenceIndex;
-            }
-            else
-            {
-                // If not actively playing a sequence or at the start/end, save 0.
-                // This means when loading, it will either start the currentEntryArrayIndex from the beginning,
-                // or if currentEntryArrayIndex was incremented after an entry finished, it will start the *new* entry from beginning.
-                m_saveData.savedNextBarkSequenceIndex = 0;
-            }
             m_saveData.wasShuffled = this.shuffleOrder;
 
             return SaveSystem.Serialize(m_saveData);
@@ -462,12 +457,11 @@ namespace Beyond // Ensure this namespace matches your project
             if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(s))
             {
                 _runtime_IsStarted = startAutomaticallyOnLoad;
-                m_saveData = new BarkPlayerData(); // Ensure fresh save data container
+                m_saveData = new BarkPlayerData();
-                m_saveData.savedIsStarted = _runtime_IsStarted; // Sync with runtime
+                m_saveData.savedIsStarted = _runtime_IsStarted;
                 m_saveData.savedCurrentEntryArrayIndex = 0;
                 m_saveData.savedNextBarkSequenceIndex = 0;
-                m_saveData.wasShuffled = shuffleOrder; // Use current inspector setting
+                m_saveData.wasShuffled = shuffleOrder;
-                Debug.Log($"BarkPlayer ({gameObject.name}): No save data, using startAutomaticallyOnLoad ({_runtime_IsStarted}).", this);
                 return;
             }
 
@@ -476,22 +470,10 @@ namespace Beyond // Ensure this namespace matches your project
             {
                 m_saveData = loadedData;
                 this._runtime_IsStarted = m_saveData.savedIsStarted;
-                // currentEntryArrayIndex and nextBarkSequenceIndex will be used by Start() and PrepareEntrySequence()
+                this.currentEntryArrayIndex = m_saveData.savedCurrentEntryArrayIndex;
-                Debug.Log($"BarkPlayer ({gameObject.name}): Applied loaded data. Started={_runtime_IsStarted}, EntryIdx={m_saveData.savedCurrentEntryArrayIndex}, BarkIdx={m_saveData.savedNextBarkSequenceIndex}, WasShuffled={m_saveData.wasShuffled}.", this);
+                this.nextBarkSequenceIndex = m_saveData.savedNextBarkSequenceIndex;
-            }
-            else
-            {
-                Debug.LogError($"BarkPlayer ({gameObject.name}): Failed to deserialize save data. Using defaults.", this);
-                _runtime_IsStarted = startAutomaticallyOnLoad;
-                m_saveData = new BarkPlayerData();
-                m_saveData.savedIsStarted = _runtime_IsStarted;
-                m_saveData.savedCurrentEntryArrayIndex = 0;
-                m_saveData.savedNextBarkSequenceIndex = 0;
-                m_saveData.wasShuffled = shuffleOrder;
             }
 
-            // After applying data, if loaded state is 'stopped', ensure coroutine is also stopped.
-            // CheckForAutoStartIfInside in Start() will handle restarting if needed.
             if (!this._runtime_IsStarted && currentPlaybackCoroutine != null)
             {
                 StopCoroutine(currentPlaybackCoroutine);