Prepare the 0.10.0 release candidate

README.md

@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ precision walk, the Joke Shop's Sunset Strip frontage, the TV Studio arrival, an
 > maps and the v0.9.3 UI/accessibility polish, with the full gallery, smoke matrix
 > and Web/Desktop HQ build re-verified.
 >
-> **Current source: v0.9.6** — tagged and built from the same commit.
+> **Current source: v0.10.0-rc.1** — the release-candidate source; the final tag is pending external playtest and legal review.
 > Releases are built automatically when a `vX.Y.Z` tag is pushed
 > (see [`docs/RELEASING.md`](docs/RELEASING.md)); manual builds use
 > `./tools/build_releases.sh`. Installer/AppImage packaging runs in the same pipeline
@@ -134,8 +134,9 @@ Full setup, every run/test/smoke command, and the controls table are in
 
 ## Development Status
 
-v0.9.6 is the current source version: the integrated texture/material and UI
-checkpoint on top of the 0.9.5 texture refinement (256² NPC maps, a 4× fabric weave with baked-AO removal, repaired
+v0.10.0-rc.1 is the current release-candidate source: the 0.9.6 integration
+checkpoint plus save-migration hardening and release tooling, on top of the 0.9.5
+texture refinement (256² NPC maps, a 4× fabric weave with baked-AO removal, repaired
 Walk of Fame/awning surfaces and per-phase skyline haze), on top of the v0.9.4
 NPC visual optimization and the v0.9.3 UI/accessibility polish pass. It builds on
 v0.9.2's Hollywood/Joke Shop map rebuilds, v0.9.1's Godot 4.7.2 baseline,