diff --git a/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scenes/GameScene.unity b/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scenes/GameScene.unity
index e956634..486551b 100644
--- a/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scenes/GameScene.unity
+++ b/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scenes/GameScene.unity
@@ -134,6 +134,7 @@ GameObject:
   - component: {fileID: 133964671}
   - component: {fileID: 133964673}
   - component: {fileID: 133964674}
+  - component: {fileID: 133964675}
   m_Layer: 5
   m_Name: UI
   m_TagString: Untagged
@@ -200,6 +201,18 @@ MonoBehaviour:
   m_Name: 
   m_EditorClassIdentifier: 
   state: 0
+--- !u!114 &133964675
+MonoBehaviour:
+  m_ObjectHideFlags: 0
+  m_CorrespondingSourceObject: {fileID: 0}
+  m_PrefabInstance: {fileID: 0}
+  m_PrefabAsset: {fileID: 0}
+  m_GameObject: {fileID: 133964670}
+  m_Enabled: 1
+  m_EditorHideFlags: 0
+  m_Script: {fileID: 11500000, guid: 6351b7620d84e2d43bc4f59c5f3f8b5c, type: 3}
+  m_Name: 
+  m_EditorClassIdentifier: 
 --- !u!1 &447905425
 GameObject:
   m_ObjectHideFlags: 0
diff --git a/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/AccountUI.cs b/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/AccountUI.cs
index dcab716..977f0ff 100644
--- a/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/AccountUI.cs
+++ b/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/AccountUI.cs
@@ -1,82 +1,90 @@
 using System;
 using System.Net.Mail;
+using Firebase.Auth;
 using UnityEngine;
 using UnityEngine.Assertions;
 using UnityEngine.UIElements;
+using Button = UnityEngine.UIElements.Button;
 
 /// <summary>
 ///     class to handle the account view ui
 /// </summary>
 public class AccountUI : MonoBehaviour
 {
-    /// <summary>
-    ///     state of the account view
-    /// </summary>
-    private enum State
-    {
-        UnassociatedState, // (start)
-        NotSignedIn, // initial
-        AfterContinue,  // after
-        SignedIn  // post
-    }
-
     /// <summary>
     ///     current state of the account view
     /// </summary>
     [SerializeField] private State state = State.UnassociatedState;
 
     /// <summary>
-    ///     account view header text
+    ///     default text colour
     /// </summary>
-    private Label _header;
-    
+    private readonly Color _defaultInputFieldValueTextColour = new(5.88f, 5.1f, 10.59f);
+
     /// <summary>
-    ///     username text field
+    ///     error text colour
     /// </summary>
-    private TextField _usernameField;
-    
-    /// <summary>
-    ///     email text field
-    /// </summary>
-    private TextField _emailField;
-    
-    /// <summary>
-    ///     password text field
-    /// </summary>
-    private TextField _passwordField;
-    
-    /// <summary>
-    ///     button to update the username
-    /// </summary>
-    private Button _usernameUpdateButton;
-    
-    /// <summary>
-    ///     button to update the email
-    /// </summary>
-    private Button _emailUpdateButton;
-    
-    /// <summary>
-    ///     button to update the password
-    /// </summary>
-    private Button _passwordUpdateButton;
-    
+    private readonly Color _errorInputFieldValueTextColour = new(1f, 50.59f, 50.2f);
+
     /// <summary>
     ///     accompanying text for the account input fields, used when an error/notice is needed
     /// </summary>
     private Label _accompanyingText;
-    
+
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     email text field
+    /// </summary>
+    private TextField _emailField;
+
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     button to update the email
+    /// </summary>
+    private Button _emailUpdateButton;
+
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     account view header text
+    /// </summary>
+    private Label _header;
+
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     password text field
+    /// </summary>
+    private TextField _passwordField;
+
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     button to update the password
+    /// </summary>
+    private Button _passwordUpdateButton;
+
     /// <summary>
     ///     either 'continue', 'log in', or 'sign out' button
     ///     (in order of 'initial', 'after', and 'post' states)
     /// </summary>
     private Button _primaryActionButton;
-    
+
     /// <summary>
     ///     either 'forgot password' or 'create an account'
     ///     (in order of 'initial' and 'after' states, is hidden in 'post' state)
     /// </summary>
     private Button _secondaryActionButton;
-    
+
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     username text field
+    /// </summary>
+    private TextField _usernameField;
+
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     button to update the username
+    /// </summary>
+    private Button _usernameUpdateButton;
+
+    public void Start()
+    {
+        if (state == State.UnassociatedState) throw new Exception("unreachable state");
+
+        // GameManager.Instance.Backend.RegisterOnSignInCallback(OnSignInCallback);
+    }
+
     /// <summary>
     ///     function to subscribe button events to their respective functions
     /// </summary>
@@ -85,44 +93,57 @@ public void OnEnable()
         var ui = GetComponent<UIDocument>().rootVisualElement;
 
         _header = ui.Q<Label>("AccountHeader");
-        
+
         _usernameField = ui.Q<TextField>("UsernameField");
         _emailField = ui.Q<TextField>("EmailField");
         _passwordField = ui.Q<TextField>("PasswordField");
 
         _usernameUpdateButton = ui.Q<Button>("UsernameUpdateButton");
         _usernameUpdateButton.clicked += OnUsernameUpdateButtonClick;
-        
+
         _emailUpdateButton = ui.Q<Button>("EmailUpdateButton");
         _emailUpdateButton.clicked += OnEmailUpdateButtonClick;
-        
+
         _passwordUpdateButton = ui.Q<Button>("PasswordUpdateButton");
         _passwordUpdateButton.clicked += OnPasswordUpdateButtonClick;
-        
+
         _accompanyingText = ui.Q<Label>("AccompanyingText");
-        
+
         _primaryActionButton = ui.Q<Button>("PrimaryActionButton");
         _primaryActionButton.clicked += OnPrimaryActionButtonClick;
-        
+
         _secondaryActionButton = ui.Q<Button>("SecondaryActionButton");
         _secondaryActionButton.clicked += OnSecondaryActionButtonClick;
-        
+
         TransitionStateTo(State.NotSignedIn);
+        GameManager.Instance.Backend.RegisterOnSignInCallback(OnSignInCallback);
     }
 
-    public void Start()
+    private void OnSignInCallback(FirebaseUser user)
     {
-        if (state == State.UnassociatedState)
-        {
-            throw new Exception("unreachable state");
-        }
+        Debug.Log("sign in account ui callback");
+
+        var username = GameManager.Instance.Backend.GetUsername();
+        _usernameField.value = username;
+        _emailField.value = GameManager.Instance.Backend.GetUser().Email;
+        _passwordField.value = "";
+        _header.text = $"Signed in as {username}";
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     populate the fields with the given username and email, used by GameManager after local player data is loaded
+    /// </summary>
+    public void PopulateFields(string username, string email)
+    {
+        _usernameField.value = username;
+        _emailField.value = email;
     }
 
     private void TransitionStateTo(State newState, bool keepAccompanyingText = false)
     {
         // if we're transitioning to the same state, do nothing
         if (state == newState) return;
-        
+
         // else, hide the accompanying text
         if (!keepAccompanyingText) _accompanyingText.style.display = DisplayStyle.None;
 
@@ -139,78 +160,79 @@ private void TransitionStateTo(State newState, bool keepAccompanyingText = false
             _passwordUpdateButton.style.display = DisplayStyle.Flex;
             _emailUpdateButton.style.display = DisplayStyle.Flex;
         }
-        
-        Debug.Log($"transitioning to {newState}");
 
         // set primary/secondary buttons
         switch (newState)
         {
             case State.NotSignedIn:
                 _header.text = "You are not signed in.";
-                
+
                 _usernameField.style.display = DisplayStyle.None;
                 _emailField.style.display = DisplayStyle.Flex;
                 _passwordField.style.display = DisplayStyle.Flex;
-                
+
                 _primaryActionButton.style.display = DisplayStyle.Flex;
                 _secondaryActionButton.style.display = DisplayStyle.Flex;
 
                 _primaryActionButton.text = "Continue \u2192";
                 _secondaryActionButton.text = "Forgot Password \u2192";
                 break;
-            
+
             case State.AfterContinue:
                 _header.text = "You are not signed in.";
-                
+
                 _usernameField.style.display = DisplayStyle.None;
                 _emailField.style.display = DisplayStyle.Flex;
                 _passwordField.style.display = DisplayStyle.Flex;
-                
+
                 _primaryActionButton.style.display = DisplayStyle.Flex;
                 _secondaryActionButton.style.display = DisplayStyle.Flex;
-                
+
                 _primaryActionButton.text = "Retry Log In \u2192";
                 _secondaryActionButton.text = "Create an Account \u2192";
                 break;
-            
+
             case State.SignedIn:
+                Debug.Log("transitioning to signed in state");
+
                 var username = GameManager.Instance.Backend.GetUsername();
                 _header.text = string.IsNullOrEmpty(username) ? "You are signed in." : $"Signed in as {username}";
-                
+
                 _usernameField.style.display = DisplayStyle.Flex;
                 _emailField.style.display = DisplayStyle.Flex;
                 _passwordField.style.display = DisplayStyle.Flex;
-                
-                _usernameField.value = GameManager.Instance.Backend.GetUsername();
-                _emailField.value = GameManager.Instance.Backend.GetUser().Email;
-                _passwordField.value = "";
-                
+
                 _primaryActionButton.style.display = DisplayStyle.Flex;
                 _secondaryActionButton.style.display = DisplayStyle.None;
 
                 _primaryActionButton.text = "Sign Out \u2192";
                 break;
-            
+
             case State.UnassociatedState:
             default:
                 throw new ArgumentOutOfRangeException();
         }
-        
+
         state = newState;
     }
-    
+
+    private void ValidateUsername()
+    {
+        // just has to be min. 5 characters
+        _usernameField.style.color = _defaultInputFieldValueTextColour;
+        if (_usernameField.value.Length >= 5) return;
+        _usernameField.style.color = _errorInputFieldValueTextColour;
+        throw new Exception("Username must be at least 5 characters long.");
+    }
+
     /// <summary>
-    ///     validate the email and password fields
+    ///     validate the email field
     /// </summary>
     /// <param name="emailField">the email field to validate</param>
-    /// <param name="passwordField">the password field to validate</param>
-    /// <exception cref="Exception">if the email or password fields are invalid</exception>
-    private void ValidateFields(TextField emailField, TextField passwordField)
+    /// <exception cref="Exception">if the email field is invalid</exception>
+    private void ValidateEmailField(TextField emailField)
     {
-        emailField.style.color = Color.black;
-        passwordField.style.color = Color.black;
-
-        // validate email
+        emailField.style.color = _defaultInputFieldValueTextColour;
         try
         {
             var dot = emailField.value.LastIndexOf(".", StringComparison.Ordinal);
@@ -226,34 +248,217 @@ private void ValidateFields(TextField emailField, TextField passwordField)
         }
         catch
         {
-            emailField.style.color = Color.red;
+            emailField.style.color = _errorInputFieldValueTextColour;
             throw new Exception("Invalid email.");
         }
-
-        // validate password
-        if (passwordField.value.Length >= 10) return;
-        passwordField.style.color = Color.red;
-        throw new Exception("Invalid password.");
     }
-    
+
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     validate the password field
+    /// </summary>
+    /// <param name="passwordField">the password field to validate</param>
+    /// <exception cref="Exception">if the password field is invalid</exception>
+    private void ValidatePasswordField(TextField passwordField)
+    {
+        passwordField.style.color = _defaultInputFieldValueTextColour;
+        if (passwordField.value.Length >= 10) return;
+        passwordField.style.color = _errorInputFieldValueTextColour;
+        throw new Exception("Password must be at least 10 characters long.");
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     validate both the email and password fields
+    /// </summary>
+    /// <param name="emailField">the email field to validate</param>
+    /// <param name="passwordField">the password field to validate</param>
+    /// <exception cref="Exception">if either the email or password field is invalid</exception>
+    private void ValidateFields(TextField emailField, TextField passwordField)
+    {
+        var invalidEmail = false;
+        var invalidPassword = false;
+
+        try
+        {
+            ValidateEmailField(_emailField);
+        }
+        catch (Exception _)
+        {
+            invalidEmail = true;
+        }
+
+        try
+        {
+            ValidatePasswordField(_passwordField);
+        }
+        catch (Exception _)
+        {
+            invalidPassword = true;
+        }
+
+        if (!invalidEmail && !invalidPassword) return;
+        var errorMessage = (invalidEmail, invalidPassword) switch
+        {
+            (true, true) => "Invalid email and password is too short.",
+            (true, false) => "Invalid email.",
+            (false, true) => "Passwords must be at least 10 characters long.",
+            _ => null
+        };
+        throw new Exception(errorMessage);
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     validate both the email and password fields
+    /// </summary>
+    /// <param name="emailField">the email field to validate</param>
+    /// <param name="passwordField">the password field to validate</param>
+    /// <param name="usernameField">the username field to validate</param>
+    /// <exception cref="Exception">if either the email or password field is invalid</exception>
+    private void ValidateFields(TextField emailField, TextField passwordField, TextField usernameField)
+    {
+        var invalidEmail = false;
+        var invalidPassword = false;
+        var invalidUsername = false;
+
+        try
+        {
+            ValidateEmailField(_emailField);
+        }
+        catch (Exception _)
+        {
+            invalidEmail = true;
+        }
+
+        try
+        {
+            ValidatePasswordField(_passwordField);
+        }
+        catch (Exception _)
+        {
+            invalidPassword = true;
+        }
+
+        try
+        {
+            ValidateUsername();
+        }
+        catch (Exception _)
+        {
+            invalidUsername = true;
+        }
+
+        if (!invalidEmail && !invalidPassword && !invalidUsername) return;
+        var errorMessage = (invalidEmail, invalidPassword, invalidUsername) switch
+        {
+            (true, true, true) => "Invalid email, password is too short, and username is too short.",
+            (true, true, false) => "Invalid email, and password is too short.",
+            (true, false, true) => "Invalid email, and username is too short.",
+            (true, false, false) => "Invalid email.",
+            (false, true, true) => "Password is too short, and username is too short.",
+            (false, true, false) => "Password is too short.",
+            (false, false, true) => "Username is too short.",
+            _ => null
+        };
+
+        throw new Exception(errorMessage);
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     function to handle the username update button click
+    /// </summary>
     private void OnUsernameUpdateButtonClick()
     {
-        // TODO
-        throw new NotImplementedException();
+        try
+        {
+            ValidateUsername();
+        }
+        catch (Exception e)
+        {
+            _accompanyingText.style.display = DisplayStyle.Flex;
+            _accompanyingText.text = e.Message;
+            return;
+        }
+
+        GameManager.Instance.Backend.UpdateUserAccountDetail(Backend.UserAccountDetailTargetEnum.Username,
+            _usernameField.value,
+            dtr =>
+            {
+                _accompanyingText.style.display = DisplayStyle.Flex;
+                _accompanyingText.text = dtr switch
+                {
+                    Backend.DatabaseTransactionResult.Ok => "Username updated!",
+                    Backend.DatabaseTransactionResult.Unauthenticated =>
+                        "You are not signed in. Please sign in to update your username.",
+                    _ => "An error occurred updating the username. Please try again."
+                };
+            });
     }
-    
+
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     function to handle the email update button click
+    /// </summary>
     private void OnEmailUpdateButtonClick()
     {
-        // TODO
-        throw new NotImplementedException();
+        try
+        {
+            ValidateEmailField(_emailField);
+        }
+        catch (Exception e)
+        {
+            _accompanyingText.style.display = DisplayStyle.Flex;
+            _accompanyingText.text = e.Message;
+            return;
+        }
+
+        GameManager.Instance.Backend.UpdateUserAccountDetail(Backend.UserAccountDetailTargetEnum.Email,
+            _emailField.value,
+            callback =>
+            {
+                _accompanyingText.style.display = DisplayStyle.Flex;
+                _accompanyingText.text = callback switch
+                {
+                    Backend.DatabaseTransactionResult.Ok =>
+                        $"Verification email sent to {_emailField.value}! You may want to sign in again to see the changes.",
+                    Backend.DatabaseTransactionResult.Unauthenticated =>
+                        "You are not signed in. Please sign in to update your email.",
+                    _ => "An error occurred updating the email. Please try again."
+                };
+            });
     }
-    
+
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     function to handle the password update button click
+    /// </summary>
     private void OnPasswordUpdateButtonClick()
     {
-        // TODO
-        throw new NotImplementedException();
+        try
+        {
+            ValidatePasswordField(_passwordField);
+        }
+        catch (Exception e)
+        {
+            _accompanyingText.style.display = DisplayStyle.Flex;
+            _accompanyingText.text = e.Message;
+            return;
+        }
+
+        GameManager.Instance.Backend.UpdateUserAccountDetail(Backend.UserAccountDetailTargetEnum.Password,
+            _passwordField.value,
+            callback =>
+            {
+                _accompanyingText.style.display = DisplayStyle.Flex;
+                _accompanyingText.text = callback switch
+                {
+                    Backend.DatabaseTransactionResult.Ok => "Password updated!",
+                    Backend.DatabaseTransactionResult.Unauthenticated =>
+                        "You are not signed in. Please sign in to update your password.",
+                    _ => "An error occurred updating the password. Please try again."
+                };
+            });
     }
-    
+
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     function to handle the primary action button click
+    /// </summary>
     private void OnPrimaryActionButtonClick()
     {
         switch (state)
@@ -273,11 +478,11 @@ private void OnPrimaryActionButtonClick()
                     _accompanyingText.text = e.Message;
                     return;
                 }
-                
+
                 GameManager.Instance.Backend.AuthenticateUser(
                     _emailField.value,
                     _passwordField.value,
-                    (result) =>
+                    result =>
                     {
                         switch (result)
                         {
@@ -289,7 +494,7 @@ private void OnPrimaryActionButtonClick()
                             case Backend.AuthenticationResult.NonExistentUser:
                                 TransitionStateTo(State.AfterContinue);
                                 break;
-                            
+
                             case Backend.AuthenticationResult.InvalidEmail:
                                 _accompanyingText.style.display = DisplayStyle.Flex;
                                 _accompanyingText.text = "Invalid email. Please try again.";
@@ -299,44 +504,43 @@ private void OnPrimaryActionButtonClick()
                                 _accompanyingText.style.display = DisplayStyle.Flex;
                                 _accompanyingText.text = "Invalid credentials. Please try again.";
                                 break;
-                            
+
                             case Backend.AuthenticationResult.AlreadyExistingUser:
                             case Backend.AuthenticationResult.GenericError:
                             default:
                                 TransitionStateTo(State.AfterContinue);
                                 _accompanyingText.style.display = DisplayStyle.Flex;
-                                _accompanyingText.text = "Either the account does not exist, or there was an internal error. Try again.";
+                                _accompanyingText.text =
+                                    "There was an error. Either the account does not exist, or the credentials are invalid. Try again.";
                                 break;
                         }
                     });
                 break;
-            
-            
+
             // sign out button
             case State.SignedIn:
                 GameManager.Instance.Backend.SignOutUser();
                 TransitionStateTo(State.NotSignedIn);
                 break;
-            
+
             case State.UnassociatedState:
             default:
                 throw new ArgumentOutOfRangeException();
         }
     }
-    
+
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     function to handle the secondary action button click
+    /// </summary>
     private void OnSecondaryActionButtonClick()
     {
         switch (state)
         {
             // forgot password button
             case State.NotSignedIn:
-                throw new NotImplementedException();
-            
-            // create an account button
-            case State.AfterContinue:
                 try
                 {
-                    ValidateFields(_emailField, _passwordField);
+                    ValidateEmailField(_emailField);
                 }
                 catch (Exception e)
                 {
@@ -344,7 +548,30 @@ private void OnSecondaryActionButtonClick()
                     _accompanyingText.text = e.Message;
                     return;
                 }
-                
+
+                GameManager.Instance.Backend.ForgotPassword(_emailField.value, result =>
+                {
+                    _accompanyingText.style.display = DisplayStyle.Flex;
+                    _accompanyingText.text =
+                        result
+                            ? "Password reset email sent. Check your inbox! :D"
+                            : "An error occurred sending the email. Please try again.";
+                });
+                break;
+
+            // create an account button
+            case State.AfterContinue:
+                try
+                {
+                    ValidateFields(_emailField, _passwordField, _usernameField);
+                }
+                catch (Exception e)
+                {
+                    _accompanyingText.style.display = DisplayStyle.Flex;
+                    _accompanyingText.text = e.Message;
+                    return;
+                }
+
                 // if the username field is hidden, show it and then immediately return
                 if (_usernameField.style.display == DisplayStyle.None)
                 {
@@ -353,11 +580,11 @@ private void OnSecondaryActionButtonClick()
                     _accompanyingText.text = "Set a username for your account.";
                     return;
                 }
-                
+
                 GameManager.Instance.Backend.AuthenticateUser(
                     _emailField.value,
                     _passwordField.value,
-                    (result) =>
+                    result =>
                     {
                         switch (result)
                         {
@@ -365,7 +592,7 @@ private void OnSecondaryActionButtonClick()
                             case Backend.AuthenticationResult.AlreadyAuthenticated:
                                 TransitionStateTo(State.SignedIn);
                                 break;
-                            
+
                             case Backend.AuthenticationResult.InvalidEmail:
                                 _accompanyingText.style.display = DisplayStyle.Flex;
                                 _accompanyingText.text = "Invalid email. Please try again.";
@@ -375,7 +602,7 @@ private void OnSecondaryActionButtonClick()
                                 _accompanyingText.style.display = DisplayStyle.Flex;
                                 _accompanyingText.text = "Invalid credentials. Please try again.";
                                 break;
-                            
+
                             case Backend.AuthenticationResult.NonExistentUser:
                             case Backend.AuthenticationResult.AlreadyExistingUser:
                             case Backend.AuthenticationResult.GenericError:
@@ -389,11 +616,22 @@ private void OnSecondaryActionButtonClick()
                     true,
                     _usernameField.value);
                 break;
-            
+
             case State.SignedIn:
             case State.UnassociatedState:
             default:
                 throw new ArgumentOutOfRangeException();
         }
     }
-}
+
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     state of the account view
+    /// </summary>
+    private enum State
+    {
+        UnassociatedState, // (start)
+        NotSignedIn, // initial
+        AfterContinue, // after
+        SignedIn // post
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/AudioManager.cs b/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/AudioManager.cs
deleted file mode 100644
index f4793b4..0000000
--- a/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/AudioManager.cs
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,163 +0,0 @@
-/*
- * author: mark joshwel
- * date: 29/5/2024
- * description: audio manager for handling audio in the game
- */
-
-using System;
-using UnityEngine;
-
-/// <summary>
-///     singleton class for handling audio in the game
-/// </summary>
-public class AudioManager : MonoBehaviour
-{
-    /// <summary>
-    ///     enum for available audio channels in the game
-    /// </summary>
-    public enum AudioChannel
-    {
-        Music,
-        SoundEffects
-    }
-
-    /// <summary>
-    ///     singleton pattern: define instance field for accessing the singleton elsewhere
-    /// </summary>
-    public static AudioManager Instance;
-
-    /// <summary>
-    ///     music audio source
-    /// </summary>
-    [SerializeField] private AudioSource musicSource;
-
-    /// <summary>
-    ///     sound effects (sfx) audio source
-    /// </summary>
-    [SerializeField] private AudioSource sfxSource;
-
-    /// <summary>
-    ///     music source default volume
-    /// </summary>
-    [SerializeField] private float musicSourceDefaultVolume = 0.6f;
-
-    /// <summary>
-    ///     sound effects (sfx) source default volume
-    /// </summary>
-    [SerializeField] private float sfxSourceDefaultVolume = 0.6f;
-
-    /// <summary>
-    ///     enforces singleton behaviour; sets doesn't destroy on load and checks for multiple instances
-    /// </summary>
-    private void Awake()
-    {
-        // check if instance hasn't been set yet
-        if (Instance == null)
-        {
-            Debug.Log("awake as singleton instance, setting self as the forever-alive instance");
-            Instance = this;
-            DontDestroyOnLoad(gameObject);
-        }
-        // check if instance is already set and it's not this instance
-        else if (Instance != null && Instance != this)
-        {
-            Debug.Log("awake as non-singleton instance, destroying self");
-            Destroy(gameObject);
-        }
-    }
-
-    /// <summary>
-    ///     function to set default volumes for the audio sources
-    /// </summary>
-    public void Start()
-    {
-        // set the default volume for the music source
-        musicSource.volume = musicSourceDefaultVolume;
-
-        // set the default volume for the sfx source
-        sfxSource.volume = sfxSourceDefaultVolume;
-    }
-
-    /// <summary>
-    ///     plays the audio clip once on a given channel
-    /// </summary>
-    /// <param name="clip">the audio clip to play</param>
-    /// <param name="channel">the audio channel to play the clip on</param>
-    public void PlayClipOnChannel(AudioClip clip, AudioChannel channel)
-    {
-        switch (channel)
-        {
-            case AudioChannel.Music:
-                musicSource.PlayOneShot(clip);
-                break;
-            case AudioChannel.SoundEffects:
-                sfxSource.PlayOneShot(clip);
-                break;
-            default:
-                Debug.LogError($"invalid channel '{channel}'");
-                break;
-        }
-    }
-
-    /// <summary>
-    ///     gets the volume of a given audio channel
-    /// </summary>
-    /// <param name="channel">the AudioManager.AudioChannel to get the volume of</param>
-    /// <returns>volume float value of the channel, from 0.0f-1.0f</returns>
-    public float GetChannelVolume(AudioChannel channel)
-    {
-        switch (channel)
-        {
-            case AudioChannel.Music:
-                return musicSource.volume;
-            case AudioChannel.SoundEffects:
-                return sfxSource.volume;
-            default:
-                Debug.LogError($"invalid channel '{channel}'");
-                return 0f;
-        }
-    }
-
-    /// <summary>
-    ///     sets the pure volume value of a given audio channel
-    /// </summary>
-    /// <param name="volume">volume float value for the channel, from 0.0f-1.0f</param>
-    /// <param name="channel">the AudioManager.AudioChannel to set the volume of</param>
-    public void SetChannelVolumeReal(float volume, AudioChannel channel)
-    {
-        switch (channel)
-        {
-            case AudioChannel.Music:
-                musicSource.volume = Math.Min(volume, 1.0f);
-                break;
-            case AudioChannel.SoundEffects:
-                sfxSource.volume = Math.Min(volume, 1.0f);
-                break;
-            default:
-                Debug.LogError($"invalid channel '{channel}'");
-                break;
-        }
-    }
-
-    /// <summary>
-    ///     sets the volume value of a given audio channel based on a logarithmic scale
-    ///     for human perception (e.g. 0.5f is half volume, 0.1f is very quiet)
-    /// </summary>
-    /// <param name="volume">volume float value for the channel, from 0.0f-1.0f</param>
-    /// <param name="channel">the AudioManager.AudioChannel to set the volume of</param>
-    public void SetChannelVolumeLog(float volume, AudioChannel channel)
-    {
-        switch (channel)
-        {
-            case AudioChannel.Music:
-                musicSource.volume = Mathf.Log10(Mathf.Max(volume, 0.0001f)) * 20;
-                break;
-            case AudioChannel.SoundEffects:
-                sfxSource.volume = Mathf.Log10(Mathf.Max(volume, 0.0001f)) * 20;
-                break;
-            default:
-                Debug.LogError($"invalid channel '{channel}'");
-                break;
-        }
-    }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/Backend.cs b/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/Backend.cs
index b030820..0354950 100644
--- a/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/Backend.cs
+++ b/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/Backend.cs
@@ -50,6 +50,13 @@ public enum FirebaseConnectionStatus
         InternalError // "an unknown error occurred"
     }
 
+    public enum UserAccountDetailTargetEnum
+    {
+        Username,
+        Email,
+        Password
+    }
+
     /// <summary>
     ///     callback functions to be invoked when the user signs in
     /// </summary>
@@ -171,12 +178,13 @@ private void AuthStateChanged(object sender, EventArgs eventArgs)
 
         // they have signed in, update _user
         _user = _auth.CurrentUser;
-        if (signedIn)
+        if (!signedIn) return;
+
+        Debug.Log($"signed in successfully as {_user.UserId}");
+        RetrieveUsernameWithCallback((_, _) =>
         {
-            Debug.Log($"signed in successfully as {_user.UserId}");
-            RetrieveUsername();
             foreach (var callback in _onSignInCallback) callback(_user);
-        }
+        });
     }
 
     /// <summary>
@@ -292,6 +300,7 @@ public void RegisterOnSignOutCallback(Action<FirebaseUser> callback)
             {
                 if (signInTask.IsCompletedSuccessfully)
                 {
+                    RetrieveUsername();
                     callback(AuthenticationResult.Ok);
                     return;
                 }
@@ -332,23 +341,44 @@ public void RegisterOnSignOutCallback(Action<FirebaseUser> callback)
     }
 
     /// <summary>
-    ///     function to retrieve the user's username from the database
+    ///     helper function to run RetrieveUsername with no callback
     /// </summary>
     private void RetrieveUsername()
+    {
+        RetrieveUsernameWithCallback((result, username) => { });
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     function to retrieve the user's username from the database
+    /// </summary>
+    private void RetrieveUsernameWithCallback(Action<DatabaseTransactionResult, string> callback)
     {
         if (!Status.Equals(FirebaseConnectionStatus.Connected)) return;
-        _db.Child("users").Child(_user.UserId).Child("username").GetValueAsync().ContinueWith(task =>
+
+        if (_user == null)
         {
+            Debug.LogError("receiving username post-authentication but user is null (should be unreachable)");
+            callback(DatabaseTransactionResult.Unauthenticated, "Unknown");
+            return;
+        }
+
+        _db.Child("users").Child(_user.UserId).Child("username").GetValueAsync().ContinueWithOnMainThread(task =>
+        {
+            DatabaseTransactionResult result;
             if (task.IsCompletedSuccessfully)
             {
+                result = DatabaseTransactionResult.Ok;
                 _username = task.Result.Value.ToString();
                 Debug.Log($"our username is {_username}");
             }
             else
             {
-                _username = "???";
+                result = DatabaseTransactionResult.Error;
+                _username = "Unknown";
                 Debug.LogError("failed to get username");
             }
+
+            callback(result, _username);
         });
     }
 
@@ -375,12 +405,46 @@ public void SignOutUser()
     }
 
     /// <summary>
-    ///     abstraction function to submit a play to the database
+    ///     abstraction function for the user to reset their password
     /// </summary>
-    /// <param name="playData">play data</param>
+    /// <param name="email">the forgetful user's email lol</param>
+    /// <param name="callback">callback function to be invoked after the password reset email is sent</param>
+    public void ForgotPassword(string email, Action<bool> callback)
+    {
+        _auth.SendPasswordResetEmailAsync(email).ContinueWithOnMainThread(resetTask =>
+        {
+            if (resetTask.IsCompletedSuccessfully)
+            {
+                callback(true);
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                Debug.LogError(resetTask.Exception);
+                callback(false);
+            }
+        });
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     abstraction function to get the user's recent scores from the database
+    /// </summary>
+    /// <param name="callback">
+    ///     callback function that takes in a DatabaseTransactionResult and List of LocalPlayerData.Score
+    ///     argument
+    /// </param>
+    public void GetRecentScores(Action<DatabaseTransactionResult, List<LocalPlayerData.Score>> callback)
+    {
+        // TODO
+        callback(DatabaseTransactionResult.Error, new List<LocalPlayerData.Score>(0));
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     abstraction function to submit a score to the database
+    /// </summary>
+    /// <param name="score">score</param>
     /// <param name="callback">callback function that takes in one DatabaseTransactionResult argument</param>
-    public void SubmitPlay(
-        PlayData playData,
+    public void SubmitScore(
+        LocalPlayerData.Score score,
         Action<DatabaseTransactionResult> callback)
     {
         throw new NotImplementedException();
@@ -421,20 +485,79 @@ public void SignOutUser()
         throw new NotImplementedException();
     }
 
-    // private void Playground()
-    // {
-    //     // update username
-    //     _db.Child("users").Child(_user.UserId).Child("username").SetValueAsync("newusername").ContinueWith(task => { });
-    //
-    //     // update email
-    //     _user.SendEmailVerificationBeforeUpdatingEmailAsync("name@example.com").ContinueWith(task => { });
-    //
-    //     // update password
-    //     _user.UpdatePasswordAsync("password").ContinueWith(task => { });
-    //
-    //     // reset password
-    //     _auth.SendPasswordResetEmailAsync("name@example.com").ContinueWith(task => { });
-    // }
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     abstraction function to update the user's account details in the database
+    /// </summary>
+    /// <param name="target">the target account detail to update</param>
+    /// <param name="newValue">the new value for the target account detail</param>
+    /// <param name="callback">callback function that takes in one DatabaseTransactionResult argument</param>
+    /// <exception cref="ArgumentOutOfRangeException">thrown when the target is not a valid UserAccountDetailTargetEnum</exception>
+    public void UpdateUserAccountDetail(
+        UserAccountDetailTargetEnum target,
+        string newValue,
+        Action<DatabaseTransactionResult> callback)
+    {
+        if (!Status.Equals(FirebaseConnectionStatus.Connected)) callback(DatabaseTransactionResult.Unauthenticated);
+
+        if (_user == null)
+        {
+            callback(DatabaseTransactionResult.Unauthenticated);
+            return;
+        }
+
+        switch (target)
+        {
+            case UserAccountDetailTargetEnum.Email:
+                _user.SendEmailVerificationBeforeUpdatingEmailAsync(newValue).ContinueWithOnMainThread(task =>
+                {
+                    if (task.IsCompletedSuccessfully)
+                    {
+                        callback(DatabaseTransactionResult.Ok);
+                    }
+                    else
+                    {
+                        Debug.LogError(task.Exception);
+                        callback(DatabaseTransactionResult.Error);
+                    }
+                });
+                break;
+
+            case UserAccountDetailTargetEnum.Username:
+                _db.Child("users").Child(_user.UserId).Child("username").SetValueAsync(newValue)
+                    .ContinueWithOnMainThread(task =>
+                    {
+                        if (task.IsCompletedSuccessfully)
+                        {
+                            _username = newValue;
+                            callback(DatabaseTransactionResult.Ok);
+                        }
+                        else
+                        {
+                            Debug.LogError(task.Exception);
+                            callback(DatabaseTransactionResult.Error);
+                        }
+                    });
+                break;
+
+            case UserAccountDetailTargetEnum.Password:
+                _user.UpdatePasswordAsync(newValue).ContinueWithOnMainThread(task =>
+                {
+                    if (task.IsCompletedSuccessfully)
+                    {
+                        callback(DatabaseTransactionResult.Ok);
+                    }
+                    else
+                    {
+                        Debug.LogError(task.Exception);
+                        callback(DatabaseTransactionResult.Error);
+                    }
+                });
+                break;
+
+            default:
+                throw new ArgumentOutOfRangeException(nameof(target), target, null);
+        }
+    }
 
     /// <summary>
     ///     struct for a leaderboard entry
@@ -452,16 +575,4 @@ public LeaderboardEntry(string username, float rating, int playCount)
             PlayCount = playCount;
         }
     }
-
-    /// <summary>
-    ///     struct for play data
-    /// </summary>
-    public struct PlayData
-    {
-        public int RoundsPlayed;
-        public float AverageOverallAccuracy;
-        public float AverageLightnessAccuracy;
-        public float AverageChromaAccuracy;
-        public float AverageHueAccuracy;
-    }
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/CommonMenu.cs b/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/CommonMenu.cs
deleted file mode 100644
index 770859d..0000000
--- a/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/CommonMenu.cs
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,122 +0,0 @@
-/*
- * author: mark joshwel
- * date: 29/5/2024
- * description: common menu script for hover and click sound effects on ui toolkit buttons
- */
-
-using System;
-using UnityEngine;
-using UnityEngine.UIElements;
-
-/// <summary>
-///     <para>
-///         common menu class for hover and click sound effects on ui toolkit buttons
-///     </para>
-///     <para>
-///         override <c>OnEnable()</c> with the first call to <c>base.OnEnable()</c>
-///         or <c>PostEnable()</c>, and set the variable
-///         <c>GameManager.DisplayState.associatedState</c> to the respective menu state
-///     </para>
-/// </summary>
-public class CommonMenu : MonoBehaviour
-{
-    /// <summary>
-    ///     associated display state with the menu for the game manager to filter out menus in a scene
-    /// </summary>
-    public GameManager.DisplayState associatedState = GameManager.DisplayState.UnassociatedState;
-
-    /// <summary>
-    ///     audio clip for menu button click
-    /// </summary>
-    [SerializeField] public AudioClip menuButtonClick;
-
-    /// <summary>
-    ///     audio clip for menu button hover
-    /// </summary>
-    [SerializeField] public AudioClip menuButtonHover;
-
-    /// <summary>
-    ///     manager for the game state
-    /// </summary>
-    protected GameManager Game;
-
-    /// <summary>
-    ///     the visual element object for the menu
-    /// </summary>
-    protected VisualElement UI;
-
-    /// <summary>
-    ///     checks if The Menu (2022) was set up correctly
-    /// </summary>
-    /// <exception cref="Exception">throws an exception if UI, Game and Audio are not set</exception>
-    private void Start()
-    {
-        if (associatedState == GameManager.DisplayState.UnassociatedState)
-            throw new Exception("associatedState not set");
-
-        if (Game == null)
-            throw new Exception("Game not set (was base.OnEnable() or PostEnable() called?)");
-    }
-
-    /// <summary>
-    ///     override this class but call <c>base.OnEnable()</c> first.
-    ///     also set the <c>associatedState</c> variable to the respective menu state
-    /// </summary>
-    public virtual void OnEnable()
-    {
-        PostEnable();
-    }
-
-    /// <summary>
-    ///     function to subscribe to mouse events and assign managers
-    /// </summary>
-    public void PostEnable()
-    {
-        // get audio manager singleton instance from the world
-        UI = GetComponent<UIDocument>().rootVisualElement;
-        Game = GameManager.Instance;
-
-        // subscribe to hover events
-        UI.RegisterCallback<PointerOverEvent>(HoverListener);
-    }
-
-    /// <summary>
-    ///     function listener for <c>PointerOverEvents</c> and plays a hover sound if it's a button
-    /// </summary>
-    /// <param name="evt">event from UIE callback</param>
-    public virtual void HoverListener(PointerOverEvent evt)
-    {
-        // check for button
-        if (evt.target is Button)
-            // play hover sound
-            PlayHover();
-    }
-
-    /// <summary>
-    ///     function listener for <c>ClickEvents</c> and plays a click sound if it's a button
-    /// </summary>
-    /// <param name="evt">event from UIE callback</param>
-    public virtual void ClickListener(ClickEvent evt)
-    {
-        // check for button
-        if (evt.target is Button)
-            // play click sound
-            PlayClick();
-    }
-
-    /// <summary>
-    ///     generic decoupled function to play click sound
-    /// </summary>
-    public virtual void PlayClick()
-    {
-        AudioManager.Instance.PlayClipOnChannel(menuButtonClick, AudioManager.AudioChannel.SoundEffects);
-    }
-
-    /// <summary>
-    ///     generic decoupled function to play hover sound
-    /// </summary>
-    public virtual void PlayHover()
-    {
-        AudioManager.Instance.PlayClipOnChannel(menuButtonHover, AudioManager.AudioChannel.SoundEffects);
-    }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/CommonMenu.cs.meta b/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/CommonMenu.cs.meta
deleted file mode 100644
index 3e612e4..0000000
--- a/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/CommonMenu.cs.meta
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,11 +0,0 @@
-fileFormatVersion: 2
-guid: 26a2a7f124fc93c47aae6ca6569f68b9
-MonoImporter:
-  externalObjects: {}
-  serializedVersion: 2
-  defaultReferences: []
-  executionOrder: 0
-  icon: {instanceID: 0}
-  userData: 
-  assetBundleName: 
-  assetBundleVariant: 
diff --git a/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/GameManager.cs b/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/GameManager.cs
index e1ee389..56709b1 100644
--- a/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/GameManager.cs
+++ b/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/GameManager.cs
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 using UnityEngine;
+using UnityEngine.Serialization;
 using UnityEngine.UIElements;
 
 /// <summary>
@@ -11,18 +12,21 @@ public class GameManager : MonoBehaviour
     /// </summary>
     public enum DisplayState
     {
-        ScreenStart,
-        OverlayAccountManagement,
-        OverlaySettings,
-        OverlayLeaderboard,
-        Game,
-        UnassociatedState
+        Nothing,
+        PlayView,
+        LeaderboardView,
+        AccountView,
     }
 
     /// <summary>
     ///     singleton pattern: define instance field for accessing the singleton elsewhere
     /// </summary>
     public static GameManager Instance;
+    
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     the current display state of the game
+    /// </summary>
+    [SerializeField] private DisplayState state = DisplayState.Nothing;
 
     /// <summary>
     ///     the visual element object for game ui (hud/prompts/tooltips)
@@ -33,6 +37,11 @@ public enum DisplayState
     ///     backend object for handling communication with the firebase backend
     /// </summary>
     public Backend Backend;
+    
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     the local player data object for storing player data
+    /// </summary>
+    private LocalPlayerData _localPlayerData;
 
     /// <summary>
     ///     enforces singleton behaviour; sets doesn't destroy on load and checks for multiple instances
@@ -54,6 +63,21 @@ private void Awake()
         }
     }
 
+    private void Start()
+    {
+        SetDisplayState(DisplayState.PlayView);
+        
+        // load the local player data and refresh the ui
+        _localPlayerData = new LocalPlayerData();
+        _localPlayerData.LoadFromTheWorld();
+        
+        // register a callback to refresh the ui when the player signs in
+        Backend.RegisterOnSignInCallback(_ =>
+        {
+            _localPlayerData.LoadFromTheWorld();
+        });
+    }
+
     /// <summary>
     ///     called when the game object is enabled
     /// </summary>
@@ -70,4 +94,15 @@ private void OnDestroy()
     {
         Backend.Cleanup();
     }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     function to show a menu based on the enum passed,
+    ///     and any other necessary actions
+    /// </summary>
+    /// <param name="newDisplayState">the game menu to show</param>
+    public void SetDisplayState(DisplayState newDisplayState)
+    {
+        var currentDisplayState = St;
+        switch (newDisplayState)
+    }
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/LocalPlayerData.cs b/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/LocalPlayerData.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dc6a8e7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/LocalPlayerData.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,172 @@
+using System;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.Globalization;
+using UnityEngine;
+
+public class LocalPlayerData
+{
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     last known email used
+    /// </summary>
+    public string LastKnownEmail = "";
+    
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     last known username used
+    /// </summary>
+    public string LastKnownUsername = "Guest";
+    
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     queue of the 10 most recent local scores
+    /// </summary>
+    public Queue<Score> RecentLocalScores = new(10);
+    
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     queue of the 10 most recent online scores,
+    ///     used in user rating calculation and accuracy display stats
+    /// </summary>
+    public Queue<Score> RecentOnlineScores = new(10);
+    
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     queue of the best online scores,
+    ///     used in user rating calculation and accuracy display stats
+    /// </summary>
+    public Queue<Score> BestOnlineScores = new(30);
+
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     loads player data from player prefs and database
+    /// </summary>
+    public void LoadFromTheWorld()
+    {
+        // load user data, possibly from the backend
+        var possibleUser = GameManager.Instance.Backend.GetUser();
+        var currentKnownEmail = string.Empty;
+        var currentKnownUsername = string.Empty;
+        if (possibleUser != null)
+        {
+            currentKnownEmail = possibleUser.Email;
+            currentKnownUsername = GameManager.Instance.Backend.GetUsername();
+        }
+        var lastStoredEmail = PlayerPrefs.GetString("LastKnownEmail", "");
+        var lastStoredUsername = PlayerPrefs.GetString("LastKnownUsername", "Guest");
+        LastKnownEmail = string.IsNullOrEmpty(currentKnownEmail) ? lastStoredEmail : currentKnownEmail;
+        LastKnownUsername = string.IsNullOrEmpty(currentKnownUsername) ? lastStoredUsername : currentKnownUsername;
+
+        // load local scores
+        RecentLocalScores.Clear();
+        for (var idx = 0; idx < 10; idx++)
+        {
+            var timestampRaw = PlayerPrefs.GetString($"RecentLocalScores_{idx}_Timestamp", "");
+            if (timestampRaw == "") continue;
+
+            var timestamp = DateTime.TryParseExact(timestampRaw,
+                "s",
+                CultureInfo.InvariantCulture,
+                DateTimeStyles.None,
+                out var t)
+                ? t
+                : DateTime.MinValue;
+
+            if (timestamp == DateTime.MinValue) continue;
+
+            var noOfRounds = PlayerPrefs.GetInt($"RecentLocalScores_{idx}_NoOfRounds", -1);
+            var l = PlayerPrefs.GetFloat($"RecentLocalScores_{idx}_AvgLightnessAccuracy", -1f);
+            var c = PlayerPrefs.GetFloat($"RecentLocalScores_{idx}_AvgChromaAccuracy", -1f);
+            var h = PlayerPrefs.GetFloat($"RecentLocalScores_{idx}_AvgHueAccuracy", -1f);
+
+            // if any of the values are invalid, don't add the score
+            if (noOfRounds < 0 || l < 0 || c < 0 || h < 0) continue;
+
+            RegisterLocalScore(new Score(timestamp, noOfRounds, l, c, h));
+        }
+        
+        // load online scores
+        RecentOnlineScores.Clear();
+        GameManager.Instance.Backend.GetRecentScores((dtr, recentOnlineScores) =>
+        {
+            foreach (var onlineScore in recentOnlineScores)
+            {
+                if (RecentOnlineScores.Count > 10) RecentOnlineScores.Dequeue();
+                RecentOnlineScores.Enqueue(onlineScore);
+            }
+        });
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     registers a score to the player's local data
+    /// </summary>
+    /// <param name="score">the score to register</param>
+    public void RegisterLocalScore(Score score)
+    {
+        if (RecentLocalScores.Count > 10) RecentLocalScores.Dequeue();
+        RecentLocalScores.Enqueue(score);
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     saves player data to player prefs
+    /// </summary>
+    public void SaveToTheWorld()
+    {
+        PlayerPrefs.SetString("LastKnownEmail", LastKnownEmail);
+        PlayerPrefs.SetString("LastKnownUsername", LastKnownUsername);
+
+        var idx = 0;
+        foreach (var score in RecentLocalScores)
+        {
+            PlayerPrefs.SetString($"RecentLocalScores_{idx}_Timestamp",
+                score.Timestamp.ToString("s", CultureInfo.InvariantCulture));
+            PlayerPrefs.SetInt($"RecentLocalScores_{idx}_NoOfRounds", score.NoOfRounds);
+            PlayerPrefs.SetFloat($"RecentLocalScores_{idx}_AvgLightnessAccuracy", score.AvgLightnessAccuracy);
+            PlayerPrefs.SetFloat($"RecentLocalScores_{idx}_AvgChromaAccuracy", score.AvgChromaAccuracy);
+            PlayerPrefs.SetFloat($"RecentLocalScores_{idx}_AvgHueAccuracy", score.AvgHueAccuracy);
+            idx++;
+        }
+
+        // online scores are already saved in the backend
+    }
+
+    public struct Score
+    {
+        /// <summary>
+        ///     timestamp of the score
+        /// </summary>
+        public DateTime Timestamp;
+
+        /// <summary>
+        ///     number of rounds played (0-100)
+        /// </summary>
+        public int NoOfRounds;
+
+        /// <summary>
+        ///     average lightness accuracy across all rounds (0-100)
+        /// </summary>
+        public float AvgLightnessAccuracy;
+
+        /// <summary>
+        ///     average chroma accuracy across all rounds (0-100)
+        /// </summary>
+        public float AvgChromaAccuracy;
+
+        /// <summary>
+        ///     average hue accuracy across all rounds (0-100)
+        /// </summary>
+        public float AvgHueAccuracy;
+
+        /// <summary>
+        ///     constructor for the score struct
+        /// </summary>
+        /// <param name="timestamp">timestamp of the score</param>
+        /// <param name="noOfRounds">number of rounds played (0-100)</param>
+        /// <param name="l">average lightness accuracy across all rounds (0-100)</param>
+        /// <param name="c">average chroma accuracy across all rounds (0-100)</param>
+        /// <param name="h">average hue accuracy across all rounds (0-100)</param>
+        public Score(DateTime timestamp = new(), int noOfRounds = 1, float l = 100.0f, float c = 100.0f,
+            float h = 100.0f)
+        {
+            Timestamp = timestamp;
+            NoOfRounds = noOfRounds;
+            AvgLightnessAccuracy = l;
+            AvgChromaAccuracy = c;
+            AvgHueAccuracy = h;
+        }
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/LocalPlayerData.cs.meta b/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/LocalPlayerData.cs.meta
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0326f91
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/LocalPlayerData.cs.meta
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+fileFormatVersion: 2
+guid: 61389b17ec0645a6a0a9fe10bdaef72a
+timeCreated: 1731833904
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/Playground.cs b/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/Playground.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2cbc48f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/Playground.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+using UnityEngine;
+
+public class Playground
+{
+    private float _score;
+
+    private void SomethingSomethingScore()
+    {
+        var score = 0.0f;
+
+        _score = score;
+    }
+
+    private void ShowTheScore()
+    {
+        Debug.Log(_score);
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/Playground.cs.meta b/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/Playground.cs.meta
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e0a67ff
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/Playground.cs.meta
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+fileFormatVersion: 2
+guid: 662d126b54a54d9ebe6a1dc716d199e3
+timeCreated: 1731830473
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/SideViewUI.cs b/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/SideViewUI.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5e27f07
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/SideViewUI.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,146 @@
+using UnityEngine;
+using UnityEngine.UIElements;
+
+/// <summary>
+///     singleton for a single source of truth game state and flow management
+/// </summary>
+public class SideViewUI : MonoBehaviour
+{
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     settings button for showing the settings menu
+    /// </summary>
+    private Button _accountButton;
+
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     settings button for showing the settings menu
+    /// </summary>
+    private Label _chromaAccuracyText;
+
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     settings button for showing the settings menu
+    /// </summary>
+    private Label _hueAccuracyText;
+
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     leaderboard button for showing the leaderboard
+    /// </summary>
+    private Button _leaderboardButton;
+
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     settings button for showing the settings menu
+    /// </summary>
+    private Label _lightnessAccuracyText;
+
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     play button for starting the game
+    /// </summary>
+    private Button _playButton;
+
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     settings button for showing the settings menu
+    /// </summary>
+    private Label _playerNameText;
+
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     settings button for showing the settings menu
+    /// </summary>
+    private Label _playerRatingText;
+
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     function to subscribe button events to their respective functions
+    /// </summary>
+    private void OnEnable()
+    {
+        var ui = GetComponent<UIDocument>().rootVisualElement;
+
+        _playButton = ui.Q<Button>("PlayButton");
+        _playButton.clicked += OnPlayButtonClicked;
+
+        _leaderboardButton = ui.Q<Button>("LeaderboardButton");
+        _leaderboardButton.clicked += OnLeaderboardButtonClicked;
+
+        _accountButton = ui.Q<Button>("AccountButton");
+        _accountButton.clicked += OnAccountButtonClicked;
+
+        _lightnessAccuracyText = ui.Q<Label>("LightnessAccuracyText");
+        _hueAccuracyText = ui.Q<Label>("HueAccuracyText");
+        _chromaAccuracyText = ui.Q<Label>("ChromaAccuracyText");
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     function to update the ui with the latest data
+    /// </summary>
+    /// <param name="localPlayerData"></param>
+    private void RenderFromPlayerData(LocalPlayerData localPlayerData)
+    {
+        // calculate averages from both recent local scores and online scores
+        var totalLightessAcc = 0f;
+        var totalChromaAcc = 0f;
+        var totalHueAcc = 0f;
+        var totalRounds = 0;
+
+        // average out all the scores we have to get a stable-ish average
+
+        foreach (var localScore in localPlayerData.RecentLocalScores)
+        {
+            totalLightessAcc += localScore.AvgLightnessAccuracy;
+            totalChromaAcc += localScore.AvgChromaAccuracy;
+            totalHueAcc += localScore.AvgHueAccuracy;
+            totalRounds += localScore.NoOfRounds;
+        }
+
+        foreach (var onlineScore in localPlayerData.RecentOnlineScores)
+        {
+            totalLightessAcc += onlineScore.AvgLightnessAccuracy;
+            totalChromaAcc += onlineScore.AvgChromaAccuracy;
+            totalHueAcc += onlineScore.AvgHueAccuracy;
+            totalRounds += onlineScore.NoOfRounds;
+        }
+            
+        foreach (var onlineScore in localPlayerData.BestOnlineScores)
+        {
+            totalLightessAcc += onlineScore.AvgLightnessAccuracy;
+            totalChromaAcc += onlineScore.AvgChromaAccuracy;
+            totalHueAcc += onlineScore.AvgHueAccuracy;
+            totalRounds += onlineScore.NoOfRounds;
+        }
+        
+        // finally, set the labels
+        _playerNameText.text = GameManager.Instance.Backend.GetUsername();
+        _lightnessAccuracyText.text = $"{(totalLightessAcc / totalRounds):F}";
+        _hueAccuracyText.text = $"{(totalHueAcc / totalRounds):F}";
+        _chromaAccuracyText.text = $"{(totalChromaAcc / totalRounds):F}";
+        
+        // and set the player rating, but after we get it from the backend
+        // (god I LOVE async (I am LYING out of my teeth))
+        GameManager.Instance.Backend.CalculateUserRating((dtr, rating) =>
+        {
+            if (dtr != Backend.DatabaseTransactionResult.Ok) return;
+            _playerRatingText.text = $"{rating:F}";
+        });
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     function to show the play view
+    /// </summary>
+    private static void OnPlayButtonClicked()
+    {
+        GameManager.Instance.SetDisplayState(GameManager.DisplayState.PlayView);
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     function to show the leaderboard view
+    /// </summary>
+    private static void OnLeaderboardButtonClicked()
+    {
+        GameManager.Instance.SetDisplayState(GameManager.DisplayState.LeaderboardView);
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     function to show the account view
+    /// </summary>
+    private static void OnAccountButtonClicked()
+    {
+        GameManager.Instance.SetDisplayState(GameManager.DisplayState.AccountView);
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/AudioManager.cs.meta b/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/SideViewUI.cs.meta
similarity index 83%
rename from ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/AudioManager.cs.meta
rename to ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/SideViewUI.cs.meta
index a2582f8..a2ba3e2 100644
--- a/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/AudioManager.cs.meta
+++ b/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/Scripts/SideViewUI.cs.meta
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 fileFormatVersion: 2
-guid: 17a7c29fa9f16244682562d58604fdba
+guid: 6351b7620d84e2d43bc4f59c5f3f8b5c
 MonoImporter:
   externalObjects: {}
   serializedVersion: 2
diff --git a/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/UI/GameUI.uss b/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/UI/GameUI.uss
index 6df1336..a4643db 100644
--- a/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/UI/GameUI.uss
+++ b/ColourMeOKGame/Assets/UI/GameUI.uss
@@ -100,6 +100,7 @@ #AccountFields TextField #unity-text-input {
     border-top-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);
     border-bottom-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);
     background-color: rgb(255, 232, 249);
+    color: rgb(15, 13, 27);
 }
 
 #AccountFields Button {