diff --git a/export_presets.cfg b/export_presets.cfg
index fcd3c73..dae8dbc 100644
--- a/export_presets.cfg
+++ b/export_presets.cfg
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ advanced_options=false
 dedicated_server=false
 custom_features=""
 export_filter="all_resources"
-include_filter=""
+include_filter="*.json"
 exclude_filter=""
 export_path="export/linux/agp-game.x86_64"
 encryption_include_filters=""
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ advanced_options=false
 dedicated_server=false
 custom_features=""
 export_filter="all_resources"
-include_filter=""
+include_filter="*.json"
 exclude_filter=""
 export_path="export/windows/agp-game.exe"
 encryption_include_filters=""
diff --git a/scenes/player.tscn b/scenes/player.tscn
index 4047391..5a62e4a 100644
--- a/scenes/player.tscn
+++ b/scenes/player.tscn
@@ -20,10 +20,9 @@ shape = SubResource("CapsuleShape1")
 mesh = SubResource("CapsuleMesh1")
 
 [node name="CameraPivot" type="Node3D" parent="."]
-transform = Transform3D(1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0.7, 0)
+transform = Transform3D(1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 1.4, 0)
 
 [node name="SpringArm3D" type="SpringArm3D" parent="CameraPivot"]
-transform = Transform3D(-1, 0, -8.7422777e-08, 0, 1, 0, 8.7422777e-08, 0, -1, 0, 0, 0)
 spring_length = 4.0
 margin = 0.2
 
diff --git a/scripts/run_checkpoint_tests.py b/scripts/run_checkpoint_tests.py
index a8f8d9e..a022246 100755
--- a/scripts/run_checkpoint_tests.py
+++ b/scripts/run_checkpoint_tests.py
@@ -180,6 +180,17 @@ def main():
                     fc_env["GODOT_BIN"] = godot_bin
                     r = run(["bash", str(fc_script)], env=fc_env)
                     results["fresh-clone boot"] = r.returncode == 0
+
+                # Export packaging: the game reads some files (catalog.json)
+                # via raw FileAccess, which `all_resources` export doesn't
+                # pack unless include_filter covers them. Passes from source,
+                # bare capsule in the .exe. This guards that.
+                ec_script = ROOT / "scripts" / "verify_export_contents.gd"
+                if ec_script.exists():
+                    print("\n--- scripts/verify_export_contents.gd ---")
+                    r = run([godot_bin, "--headless", "--path", str(ROOT),
+                             "--script", "res://scripts/verify_export_contents.gd"], env=godot_env)
+                    results["export packaging"] = r.returncode == 0
         finally:
             server_proc.terminate()
             try:
diff --git a/scripts/verify_export_contents.gd b/scripts/verify_export_contents.gd
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0c9411d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/verify_export_contents.gd
@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+extends SceneTree
+## Exports a resource pack and checks that the files the game reads at runtime
+## via raw FileAccess (not as Godot resources) are actually inside it.
+##
+## `export_filter="all_resources"` packs scenes/scripts/imported assets but
+## NOT arbitrary files like assets/avatars/catalog.json -- which the avatar
+## system opens with FileAccess.open(). Missing it means the game runs fine
+## from source but the exported .exe shows a bare capsule instead of an
+## avatar. This is the guard for that class of bug.
+##
+## Run: godot --headless --path . --script res://scripts/verify_export_contents.gd
+
+const PACK_PATH := "res://.export_check.pck"
+
+## Files that MUST be in the pack for the game to work, that aren't Godot
+## resources (so they only get packed via export_presets include_filter).
+const REQUIRED := [
+	"res://assets/avatars/catalog.json",
+]
+
+## A resource we know should be there, as a sanity check that the pack loaded.
+const SANITY := "res://scenes/game.tscn"
+
+
+func _initialize() -> void:
+	var abs_pack := ProjectSettings.globalize_path(PACK_PATH)
+
+	var export := OS.execute(_godot_bin(), [
+		"--headless", "--path", ProjectSettings.globalize_path("res://"),
+		"--export-pack", "Linux", abs_pack,
+	], [], true)
+	if not FileAccess.file_exists(PACK_PATH):
+		_fail("export-pack produced no file:\n%s" % export)
+
+	if not ProjectSettings.load_resource_pack(PACK_PATH, false):
+		_fail("could not load the exported pack back")
+
+	if not FileAccess.file_exists(SANITY):
+		_fail("pack sanity check failed -- %s not found (pack may not have loaded)" % SANITY)
+
+	var missing := []
+	for f in REQUIRED:
+		if not FileAccess.file_exists(f):
+			missing.append(f)
+
+	DirAccess.remove_absolute(abs_pack)
+
+	if missing.is_empty():
+		print("=== SMOKE RESULT: PASS === (required non-resource files are in the export)")
+		quit(0)
+	else:
+		print("=== SMOKE RESULT: FAIL ===")
+		for f in missing:
+			printerr("  MISSING from export: ", f,
+				"  -- add its glob to export_presets.cfg include_filter")
+		quit(1)
+
+
+func _godot_bin() -> String:
+	return OS.get_executable_path()
+
+
+func _fail(msg: String) -> void:
+	printerr(msg)
+	print("=== SMOKE RESULT: FAIL ===")
+	quit(1)