Consolidate documentation into architecture and merged guides

README.md

@@ -33,14 +33,15 @@ Versions are assigned only when a track's scope is accepted into a release. Ever
 > Downloads are public (no sign-in required) since the host's instance-wide
 > `REQUIRE_SIGNIN_VIEW` was disabled on 2026-10-31.
 >
-> **Latest published: v0.9.6** — the integration checkpoint: the 0.9.5 texture
-> and material refinement (256² NPC maps, a four-times fabric weave without baked
-> AO blotches, repaired Walk of Fame/awning surfaces and per-phase skyline haze)
-> is packaged with the v0.9.4 NPC visual optimization, the Hollywood/Joke Shop
-> maps and the v0.9.3 UI/accessibility polish, with the full gallery, smoke matrix
-> and Web/Desktop HQ build re-verified.
+> **Latest published: v0.9.8** — the character-development patch: the
+> 12-character library, realistic face pass, four crowd-variety variants and the
+> wrist/hip/knee deformation fixes. Previous 0.9.x patches added the
+> Hollywood/Joke Shop maps, UI/accessibility polish, NPC visual optimization,
+> texture/material refinement and integration checkpoint.
 >
-> **Current source: v0.10.0-rc.1** — the release-candidate source; the final tag is pending external playtest and legal review.
+> **Current source: v0.9.8** — tagged from the same commit. The 0.10.0
+> development track remains gated on the NPC overhaul, MakeHuman/local-map work
+> and release approvals.
 > 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
@@ -165,9 +166,7 @@ Full setup, every run/test/smoke command, and the controls table are in
 - [`CHANGELOG.md`](CHANGELOG.md) — User-facing changes by version.
 - [`docs/architecture.md`](docs/architecture.md) — arc42-style architecture documentation.
 - [`docs/gameplay.md`](docs/gameplay.md) — Gameplay systems, venues, and the escalation model.
-- [`docs/hollywood-boulevard-map.md`](docs/hollywood-boulevard-map.md) — Real-site references, game mapping and limitations for the Hollywood venue.
-- [`docs/joke-shop-map.md`](docs/joke-shop-map.md) — Real-site references, game mapping and limitations for the Joke Shop / Sunset Strip venue.
-- [`docs/tutorial.md`](docs/tutorial.md) — First-shift tutorial beats and rules.
+- [`docs/venues.md`](docs/venues.md) — Real-site references, game mapping and limitations for Hollywood, the Joke Shop and the TV Studio.
 - [`docs/asset-tooling.md`](docs/asset-tooling.md) — Asset pipelines, model tools, and screenshot gates.
 - [`tools/README.md`](tools/README.md) — Tool inventory, categories, test commands and AI-skill evaluation.
 - [`.agents/skills/gig-line-blender-asset-contract`](.agents/skills/gig-line-blender-asset-contract/SKILL.md) — tracked AI skill for Blender/NPC/gear asset work.
@@ -176,30 +175,26 @@ Full setup, every run/test/smoke command, and the controls table are in
 - [`docs/development-status.md`](docs/development-status.md) — Implemented features and what's next.
 - [`docs/accessibility.md`](docs/accessibility.md) — Accessibility features, known gaps and statement.
 - [`docs/known-limitations.md`](docs/known-limitations.md) — Release-candidate blockers and accepted limitations.
-- [`docs/smoke-checklist.md`](docs/smoke-checklist.md) — Manual smoke-test checklist.
+- [`docs/release-qa.md`](docs/release-qa.md) — Manual smoke checklist and release-candidate balance protocol.
 - [`CREDITS.md`](CREDITS.md) — Credits, AI/reference provenance and licensing notes.
 - [`PRIVACY.md`](PRIVACY.md) — Local-only data, save files and development API use.
 - [`docs/blender-assets.md`](docs/blender-assets.md) — Blender asset library: characters, gear, props, attach points.
-- [`docs/blender-mcp.md`](docs/blender-mcp.md) — optional Blender MCP installation, connection and safe part-workflow.
 - [`docs/npc-visual-review.md`](docs/npc-visual-review.md) — 0.9.4 NPC baseline, acceptance criteria and ranked visual gaps; 0.9.5 texture comparison is in [`docs/blender_previews/sheet_texture_refinement_0.9.5.jpg`](docs/blender_previews/sheet_texture_refinement_0.9.5.jpg).
-- [`docs/npc-proportion-audit.md`](docs/npc-proportion-audit.md) — NPC proportion measurements against the shared stylized guide.
 - [`docs/adr/`](docs/adr/) — Architecture Decision Records.
 
 ## Development Status
 
-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,
-v0.9.0's production-quality pass, v0.8's
-tutorial/campaign/resume work and the v0.7.x venue/gear/judge work. The active
-planning priorities are the unversioned character and local-map development tracks;
-the 0.10.0 release candidate is the next versioned release. See
+v0.9.8 is the current source version: the character-development patch with the
+12-character library, realistic face and crowd variants, pose/deformation fixes
+and save-migration/release hardening. It sits on the 0.9.6 integration
+checkpoint, 0.9.5 texture refinement, 0.9.4 NPC visual optimization, 0.9.3
+UI/accessibility polish, 0.9.2 Hollywood/Joke Shop maps and the 0.9.x engine
+baseline. The active priorities are the Blender NPC head/face/hand overhaul,
+MakeHuman body intake and the 3D model/map re-evaluation; the 0.10.0 release
+candidate follows those tracks. See
 [`docs/development-status.md`](docs/development-status.md) for the implemented list
 and [`TODO.md`](TODO.md) for the priority-ordered roadmap. Manual verification uses
-the [`docs/smoke-checklist.md`](docs/smoke-checklist.md).
+[`docs/release-qa.md`](docs/release-qa.md).
 
 ## Credits, Privacy and Accessibility