diff --git a/Core/GameEngine/CMakeLists.txt b/Core/GameEngine/CMakeLists.txt
index 0f36ff63383..0e030311e34 100644
--- a/Core/GameEngine/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/Core/GameEngine/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -217,6 +217,7 @@ set(GAMEENGINE_SRC
     Include/GameClient/ProcessAnimateWindow.h
     Include/GameClient/RadiusDecal.h
     Include/GameClient/RayEffect.h
+    Include/GameClient/SaveLoadFeedback.h
     Include/GameClient/SelectionInfo.h
     Include/GameClient/SelectionXlat.h
 #    Include/GameClient/Shadow.h
@@ -795,6 +796,7 @@ set(GAMEENGINE_SRC
 #    Source/GameClient/GUI/GUICallbacks/Menus/WOLWelcomeMenu.cpp
     Source/GameClient/GUI/GUICallbacks/MessageBox.cpp
     Source/GameClient/GUI/GUICallbacks/ReplayControls.cpp
+    Source/GameClient/GUI/GUICallbacks/SaveLoadFeedback.cpp
     Source/GameClient/GUI/HeaderTemplate.cpp
     Source/GameClient/GUI/IMEManager.cpp
     Source/GameClient/GUI/LoadScreen.cpp
diff --git a/Core/GameEngine/Include/Common/FileSystem.h b/Core/GameEngine/Include/Common/FileSystem.h
index 2aaa30a61f1..be0fd1c99c2 100644
--- a/Core/GameEngine/Include/Common/FileSystem.h
+++ b/Core/GameEngine/Include/Common/FileSystem.h
@@ -157,6 +157,7 @@ class FileSystem : public SubsystemInterface
 
 	Bool createDirectory(AsciiString directory); ///< create a directory of the given name.
 
+	static Bool isAbsolutePath(const AsciiString& path); ///< determines if a path is absolute on the current platform.
 	static AsciiString normalizePath(const AsciiString& path);	///< normalizes a file path. The path can refer to a directory. File path must be absolute, but does not need to exist. Returns an empty string on failure.
 	static Bool isPathInDirectory(const AsciiString& testPath, const AsciiString& basePath);	///< determines if a file path is within a base path. Both paths must be absolute, but do not need to exist.
 
diff --git a/Core/GameEngine/Include/GameClient/SaveLoadFeedback.h b/Core/GameEngine/Include/GameClient/SaveLoadFeedback.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..df90a7a0cce
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Core/GameEngine/Include/GameClient/SaveLoadFeedback.h
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+/*
+**	Command & Conquer Generals Zero Hour(tm)
+**	Copyright 2026 TheSuperHackers
+**
+**	This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+**	it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+**	the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+**	(at your option) any later version.
+**
+**	This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+**	but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+**	MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+**	GNU General Public License for more details.
+**
+**	You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+**	along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+*/
+
+#pragma once
+
+#include "Common/GameState.h"
+
+void presentSaveResult( const SaveResult &result );
+void presentLoadResult( SaveCode result, const AsciiString &filename );
diff --git a/Core/GameEngine/Source/Common/CommandLine.cpp b/Core/GameEngine/Source/Common/CommandLine.cpp
index 772830f0f67..676d5546b91 100644
--- a/Core/GameEngine/Source/Common/CommandLine.cpp
+++ b/Core/GameEngine/Source/Common/CommandLine.cpp
@@ -719,6 +719,47 @@ Int parseVTune ( char *args[], int num )
 
 #endif // defined(RTS_DEBUG)
 
+// TheSuperHackers @feature bobtista 22/07/2026 Load a save game file from the command line.
+Int parseLoadSave(char *args[], int num)
+{
+	if (num > 1)
+	{
+		AsciiString filename = args[1];
+		if (!filename.endsWithNoCase(".sav"))
+		{
+			printf("Invalid save game name \"%s\"\n", filename.str());
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		TheWritableGlobalData->m_loadSaveGame = filename;
+		TheWritableGlobalData->m_playIntro = FALSE;
+		TheWritableGlobalData->m_playSizzle = FALSE;
+		return 2;
+	}
+	return 1;
+}
+
+// TheSuperHackers @feature bobtista 08/08/2026 Load a replay visually from the command line.
+Int parseLoadReplay(char *args[], int num)
+{
+	if (num > 1)
+	{
+		AsciiString filename = args[1];
+		if (!filename.endsWithNoCase(RecorderClass::getReplayExtention()))
+		{
+			printf("Invalid replay name \"%s\"\n", filename.str());
+			exit(1);
+		}
+
+		TheWritableGlobalData->m_loadReplayGame = filename;
+		TheWritableGlobalData->m_playIntro = FALSE;
+		TheWritableGlobalData->m_playSizzle = FALSE;
+		return 2;
+	}
+
+	return 1;
+}
+
 //=============================================================================
 //=============================================================================
 
@@ -1159,6 +1200,10 @@ static CommandLineParam paramsForEngineInit[] =
 	{ "-noshaders", parseNoShaders },
 	{ "-quickstart", parseQuickStart },
 	{ "-useWaveEditor", parseUseWaveEditor },
+	{ "-loadsave", parseLoadSave },
+	{ "-loadreplay", parseLoadReplay },
+	// TheSuperHackers @feature bobtista 08/08/2026 Allow diagnostic replay playback to continue after CRC mismatches.
+	{ "-ignoreReplaySyncErrors", parseSync },
 
 	// TheSuperHackers @feature xezon 03/08/2025 Force full viewport for 'Control Bar Pro' Addons like GenTool did it.
 	{ "-forcefullviewport", parseFullViewport },
diff --git a/Core/GameEngine/Source/Common/System/FileSystem.cpp b/Core/GameEngine/Source/Common/System/FileSystem.cpp
index b8e4c4695b6..a3b8ee14865 100644
--- a/Core/GameEngine/Source/Common/System/FileSystem.cpp
+++ b/Core/GameEngine/Source/Common/System/FileSystem.cpp
@@ -331,6 +331,31 @@ Bool FileSystem::createDirectory(AsciiString directory)
 	return FALSE;
 }
 
+//============================================================================
+// FileSystem::isAbsolutePath
+//============================================================================
+// TheSuperHackers @feature bobtista 08/08/2026 Identify absolute paths so callers can distinguish
+// explicitly selected files from names relative to their managed directories.
+Bool FileSystem::isAbsolutePath(const AsciiString& path)
+{
+	const Char *value = path.str();
+	if (value == nullptr || value[0] == 0)
+	{
+		return FALSE;
+	}
+
+#ifdef _WIN32
+	const Bool hasDriveLetter = (value[0] >= 'A' && value[0] <= 'Z') ||
+		(value[0] >= 'a' && value[0] <= 'z');
+	const Bool hasDriveRoot = hasDriveLetter && value[1] == ':' &&
+		(value[2] == '\\' || value[2] == '/');
+	const Bool hasCurrentDriveRoot = value[0] == '\\' || value[0] == '/';
+	return hasDriveRoot || hasCurrentDriveRoot;
+#else
+	return value[0] == '/';
+#endif
+}
+
 //============================================================================
 // FileSystem::normalizePath
 //============================================================================
diff --git a/Core/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/GUI/GUICallbacks/SaveLoadFeedback.cpp b/Core/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/GUI/GUICallbacks/SaveLoadFeedback.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..4979ba629be
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Core/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/GUI/GUICallbacks/SaveLoadFeedback.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+/*
+**	Command & Conquer Generals Zero Hour(tm)
+**	Copyright 2026 TheSuperHackers
+**
+**	This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+**	it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+**	the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+**	(at your option) any later version.
+**
+**	This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+**	but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+**	MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+**	GNU General Public License for more details.
+**
+**	You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+**	along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+*/
+
+#include "PreRTS.h"
+#include "GameClient/GameText.h"
+#include "GameClient/InGameUI.h"
+#include "GameClient/MessageBox.h"
+#include "GameClient/SaveLoadFeedback.h"
+
+static UnicodeString getUnicodeSavePath( const AsciiString &filename )
+{
+	UnicodeString path;
+	path.translate( TheGameState->getFilePathInSaveDirectory(filename) );
+	return path;
+}
+
+void presentSaveResult( const SaveResult &result )
+{
+	switch( result.saveCode )
+	{
+		case SC_OK:
+		{
+			TheInGameUI->message( TheGameText->fetch("GUI:GameSaveComplete") );
+			break;
+		}
+		case SC_UNABLE_TO_OPEN_FILE:
+		{
+			TheInGameUI->message( "GUI:Error" );
+			break;
+		}
+		case SC_ERROR:
+		{
+			UnicodeString msg;
+			msg.format( TheGameText->fetch("GUI:ErrorSavingGame"), getUnicodeSavePath(result.filename).str() );
+			MessageBoxOk( TheGameText->fetch("GUI:Error"), msg, nullptr );
+			break;
+		}
+		default:
+		{
+			break;
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+void presentLoadResult( SaveCode result, const AsciiString &filename )
+{
+	if( result == SC_INVALID_DATA )
+	{
+		UnicodeString msg;
+		msg.format( TheGameText->fetch("GUI:ErrorLoadingGame"), getUnicodeSavePath(filename).str() );
+		MessageBoxOk( TheGameText->fetch("GUI:Error"), msg, nullptr );
+	}
+}
diff --git a/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Include/Common/GameState.h b/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Include/Common/GameState.h
index 20e8910174f..cbfcb58e396 100644
--- a/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Include/Common/GameState.h
+++ b/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Include/Common/GameState.h
@@ -132,6 +132,15 @@ enum SaveCode CPP_11(: Int)
 	SC_ERROR,
 };
 
+struct SaveResult
+{
+	explicit SaveResult( SaveCode code ) : saveCode(code) { }
+	SaveResult( SaveCode code, const AsciiString &file ) : saveCode(code), filename(file) { }
+
+	SaveCode saveCode;
+	AsciiString filename;	///< the file that was written, empty when no filename could be found
+};
+
 enum SnapshotType CPP_11(: Int) {
 	SNAPSHOT_SAVELOAD,
 	SNAPSHOT_DEEPCRC_LOGICONLY,
@@ -156,11 +165,11 @@ class GameState : public SubsystemInterface,
 	virtual void update() override { }
 
 	// save game methods
-	SaveCode saveGame( AsciiString filename,
+	SaveResult saveGame( AsciiString filename,
 										 UnicodeString desc,
 										 SaveFileType saveType,
-										 SnapshotType which = SNAPSHOT_SAVELOAD  );  ///< save a game
-	SaveCode missionSave();																	 ///< do a in between mission save
+										 SnapshotType which = SNAPSHOT_SAVELOAD );  ///< save a game
+	SaveResult missionSave();																 ///< do a in between mission save
 	SaveCode loadGame( AvailableGameInfo gameInfo );							 ///< load a save file
 	SaveGameInfo *getSaveGameInfo() { return &m_gameInfo; }
 
@@ -170,7 +179,7 @@ class GameState : public SubsystemInterface,
 	// manipulating files
 	Bool doesSaveGameExist( AsciiString filename );							///< does the save file exist
 	void populateSaveGameListbox( GameWindow *listbox, SaveLoadLayoutType layoutType );	///< populate listbox with available save games
-	void getSaveGameInfoFromFile( AsciiString filename, SaveGameInfo *saveGameInfo );		///< get save game info from file
+	void getSaveGameInfoFromFile( AsciiString filename, SaveGameInfo *saveGameInfo );		///< get save game info from a Save-directory name or absolute path
 
 	void friend_xferSaveDataForCRC( Xfer *xfer, SnapshotType which );		///< This should only be called to DeepCRC sanity checking
 
@@ -181,6 +190,7 @@ class GameState : public SubsystemInterface,
 
 	AsciiString getSaveDirectory() const;
 	AsciiString getFilePathInSaveDirectory(const AsciiString& leaf) const;
+	AsciiString getSaveGamePathForRead(const AsciiString& filenameOrPath) const;
 	Bool isInSaveDirectory(const AsciiString& path) const;
 
 	AsciiString realMapPathToPortableMapPath(const AsciiString& in) const;
diff --git a/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Include/Common/GlobalData.h b/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Include/Common/GlobalData.h
index e631654250d..2031f14adf0 100644
--- a/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Include/Common/GlobalData.h
+++ b/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Include/Common/GlobalData.h
@@ -350,6 +350,8 @@ class GlobalData : public SubsystemInterface
 	Bool m_buildMapCache;
 	AsciiString m_initialFile;				///< If this is specified, load a specific map from the command-line
 	AsciiString m_pendingFile;				///< If this is specified, use this map at the next game start
+	AsciiString m_loadSaveGame;				///< If this is specified, load a save game file from the command-line
+	AsciiString m_loadReplayGame;			///< If this is specified, load a replay file from the command-line
 
 	std::vector<AsciiString> m_simulateReplays; ///< If not empty, simulate this list of replays and exit.
 	Int m_simulateReplayJobs; ///< Maximum number of processes to use for simulation, or SIMULATE_REPLAYS_SEQUENTIAL for sequential simulation
diff --git a/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/GameEngine.cpp b/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/GameEngine.cpp
index 4631cc28133..b40c40d68d4 100644
--- a/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/GameEngine.cpp
+++ b/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/GameEngine.cpp
@@ -723,6 +723,40 @@ Bool GameEngine::canUpdateRegularGameLogic(UnsignedInt logicTimeQueryFlags)
 /// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DECLARE_PERF_TIMER(GameEngine_update)
 
+// TheSuperHackers @feature bobtista 08/08/2026 Validate command-line replays before starting visual playback.
+static Bool validateCommandLineReplay(const AsciiString& filename)
+{
+	RecorderClass::ReplayHeader header;
+	header.forPlayback = FALSE;
+	header.filename = filename;
+
+	if (TheRecorder == nullptr || !TheRecorder->readReplayHeader(header))
+	{
+		DEBUG_LOG(("Failed to read replay '%s'", filename.str()));
+		return FALSE;
+	}
+
+	ReplayGameInfo gameInfo;
+	if (!ParseAsciiStringToGameInfo(&gameInfo, header.gameOptions))
+	{
+		DEBUG_LOG(("Replay '%s' contains invalid game options", filename.str()));
+		return FALSE;
+	}
+
+	if (TheMapCache == nullptr || TheMapCache->findMap(gameInfo.getMap()) == nullptr)
+	{
+		DEBUG_LOG(("Replay '%s' requires unavailable map '%s'", filename.str(), gameInfo.getMap().str()));
+		return FALSE;
+	}
+
+	if (!RecorderClass::replayMatchesGameVersion(header))
+	{
+		DEBUG_LOG(("Replay '%s' was created by a different game version; command-line playback will continue", filename.str()));
+	}
+
+	return TRUE;
+}
+
 /** -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  * Update the game engine by updating the GameClient and GameLogic singletons.
  */
@@ -748,6 +782,71 @@ void GameEngine::update()
 			}
 		}
 
+		// TheSuperHackers @feature bobtista 22/07/2026 Defer command-line save loading until the client has created the shell
+		// layout that normal game sessions return to.
+		if (TheGlobalData->m_loadSaveGame.isNotEmpty())
+		{
+			AvailableGameInfo gameInfo;
+			gameInfo.filename = TheGlobalData->m_loadSaveGame;
+			gameInfo.next = nullptr;
+			gameInfo.prev = nullptr;
+
+			AsciiString filename = gameInfo.filename;
+			Bool loadSucceeded = FALSE;
+			try
+			{
+				TheGameState->getSaveGameInfoFromFile(gameInfo.filename, &gameInfo.saveGameInfo);
+				TheGameLogic->prepareNewGame(GAME_SINGLE_PLAYER, DIFFICULTY_NORMAL, 0);
+				loadSucceeded = TheGameState->loadGame(gameInfo) == SC_OK;
+			}
+			catch (...)
+			{
+				DEBUG_LOG(("Failed to read save game '%s'", filename.str()));
+			}
+
+			TheWritableGlobalData->m_loadSaveGame.clear();
+			if (loadSucceeded)
+			{
+				if (TheShell)
+				{
+					TheShell->hideShell();
+				}
+			}
+			else
+			{
+				if (TheGameLogic->isInGame())
+				{
+					TheGameLogic->clearGameData(FALSE);
+				}
+				TheGameEngine->reset();
+				DEBUG_LOG(("Failed to load save game '%s'", filename.str()));
+				printf("Failed to load save game '%s'\n", filename.str());
+				m_quitting = TRUE;
+			}
+		}
+
+		// TheSuperHackers @feature bobtista 08/08/2026 Defer command-line replay loading until the client has initialized the
+		// UI state used by normal visual replay playback.
+		if (TheGlobalData->m_loadReplayGame.isNotEmpty())
+		{
+			AsciiString replayGame = TheGlobalData->m_loadReplayGame;
+			TheWritableGlobalData->m_loadReplayGame.clear();
+
+			if (validateCommandLineReplay(replayGame) && TheRecorder->playbackFile(replayGame))
+			{
+				if (TheShell)
+				{
+					TheShell->hideShell();
+				}
+			}
+			else
+			{
+				DEBUG_LOG(("Failed to load replay '%s'", replayGame.str()));
+				printf("Failed to load replay '%s'\n", replayGame.str());
+				m_quitting = TRUE;
+			}
+		}
+
 		// TheSuperHackers @info Ignores frozen time because the script engine needs updating in the logic update regardless.
 		if (canUpdateGameLogic(FramePacer::IgnoreFrozenTime))
 		{
@@ -774,6 +873,35 @@ void GameEngine::execute()
 	DWORD startTime = timeGetTime() / 1000;
 #endif
 
+	// TheSuperHackers @feature bobtista 22/07/2026 Load a save game directly from the command line.
+	if (TheGlobalData->m_loadSaveGame.isNotEmpty())
+	{
+		AvailableGameInfo gameInfo;
+		gameInfo.filename = TheGlobalData->m_loadSaveGame;
+		gameInfo.next = nullptr;
+		gameInfo.prev = nullptr;
+
+		AsciiString fullPath = TheGameState->getFilePathInSaveDirectory(gameInfo.filename);
+		TheGameState->getSaveGameInfoFromFile(fullPath, &gameInfo.saveGameInfo);
+		TheGameLogic->prepareNewGame(GAME_SINGLE_PLAYER, DIFFICULTY_NORMAL, 0);
+
+		AsciiString filename = gameInfo.filename;
+		SaveCode result = TheGameState->loadGame(gameInfo);
+		TheWritableGlobalData->m_loadSaveGame.clear();
+		if (result == SC_OK)
+		{
+			if (TheShell)
+			{
+				TheShell->hideShell();
+			}
+		}
+		else
+		{
+			DEBUG_LOG(("Failed to load save game '%s'", filename.str()));
+			m_quitting = TRUE;
+		}
+	}
+
 	// pretty basic for now
 	while( !m_quitting )
 	{
diff --git a/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/GlobalData.cpp b/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/GlobalData.cpp
index f7720c351a2..b983e14f441 100644
--- a/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/GlobalData.cpp
+++ b/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/GlobalData.cpp
@@ -986,6 +986,8 @@ GlobalData::GlobalData()
 	m_buildMapCache = FALSE;
 	m_initialFile.clear();
 	m_pendingFile.clear();
+	m_loadSaveGame.clear();
+	m_loadReplayGame.clear();
 
 	m_simulateReplays.clear();
 	m_simulateReplayJobs = SIMULATE_REPLAYS_SEQUENTIAL;
diff --git a/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/Recorder.cpp b/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/Recorder.cpp
index 7a955895827..e9fab9877fa 100644
--- a/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/Recorder.cpp
+++ b/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/Recorder.cpp
@@ -847,8 +847,14 @@ void RecorderClass::writeArgument(GameMessageArgumentDataType type, const GameMe
  */
 Bool RecorderClass::readReplayHeader(ReplayHeader& header)
 {
-	AsciiString filepath = getReplayDir();
-	filepath.concat(header.filename.str());
+	// TheSuperHackers @feature bobtista 08/08/2026 Open explicitly selected replay paths in place
+	// while preserving Replay directory lookup for menu filenames and existing command lines.
+	AsciiString filepath = header.filename;
+	if (!FileSystem::isAbsolutePath(filepath))
+	{
+		filepath = getReplayDir();
+		filepath.concat(header.filename.str());
+	}
 
 	// TheSuperHackers @performance More buffered data reduces disk overhead and will improve fast forward playback
 	const UnsignedInt buffersize = header.forPlayback ? replayBufferBytes : File::BUFFERSIZE;
@@ -998,6 +1004,17 @@ void RecorderClass::handleCRCMessage(UnsignedInt newCRC, Int playerIndex, Bool f
 		//	playbackCRC, newCRC, TheGameLogic->getFrame()-m_crcInfo.GetQueueSize()-1, playerIndex));
 		if (TheGameLogic->getFrame() > 0 && newCRC != playbackCRC && !m_crcInfo.sawCRCMismatch())
 		{
+			// TheSuperHackers @feature bobtista 08/08/2026 Allow explicit diagnostic replay playback to continue without UI reporting or pausing.
+			if (TheDebugIgnoreSyncErrors)
+			{
+				const UnsignedInt mismatchFrame = TheGameLogic->getFrame() - m_crcInfo.GetQueueSize() - 1;
+				DEBUG_LOG(("Replay CRC mismatch ignored at frame %d\nInGame:%8.8X Replay:%8.8X",
+					mismatchFrame, playbackCRC, newCRC));
+				printf("CRC Mismatch in Frame %d (ignored)\n", mismatchFrame);
+				m_crcInfo.setSawCRCMismatch();
+				return;
+			}
+
 			// Since we don't seem to have any *visible* desyncs when replaying games, but get this warning
 			// virtually every replay, the assumption is our CRC checking is faulty.  Since we're at the
 			// tail end of patch season, let's just disable the message, and hope the users believe the
diff --git a/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/System/SaveGame/GameState.cpp b/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/System/SaveGame/GameState.cpp
index 7390ff5ed85..8942334cf6a 100644
--- a/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/System/SaveGame/GameState.cpp
+++ b/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/System/SaveGame/GameState.cpp
@@ -48,7 +48,6 @@
 #include "GameClient/GameClient.h"
 #include "GameClient/GameText.h"
 #include "GameClient/MapUtil.h"
-#include "GameClient/MessageBox.h"
 #include "GameClient/InGameUI.h"
 #include "GameClient/ParticleSys.h"
 #include "GameClient/TerrainVisual.h"
@@ -73,6 +72,13 @@ static const Int MAX_SAVE_FILE_NUMBER  =  99999999;
 #define GAME_STATE_BLOCK_STRING "CHUNK_GameState"  // block of save game data with game info data
 #define CAMPAIGN_BLOCK_STRING "CHUNK_Campaign"		 // block of game data that has campaign info
 
+static Bool isHeadlessOmittedBlock( const AsciiString &blockName )
+{
+	return blockName.compareNoCase( "CHUNK_ParticleSystem" ) == 0 ||
+		blockName.compareNoCase( "CHUNK_TerrainVisual" ) == 0 ||
+		blockName.compareNoCase( "CHUNK_GhostObject" ) == 0;
+}
+
 // ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 SaveGameInfo::SaveGameInfo()
@@ -532,8 +538,8 @@ AsciiString GameState::findNextSaveFilename( UnicodeString desc )
 /** Save the current state of the engine in a save file
 	* NOTE: filename is a *filename only* */
 // ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-SaveCode GameState::saveGame( AsciiString filename, UnicodeString desc,
-															SaveFileType saveType, SnapshotType which )
+SaveResult GameState::saveGame( AsciiString filename, UnicodeString desc,
+													SaveFileType saveType, SnapshotType which )
 {
 
 	// if there is no filename, this is a new file being created, find an appropriate filename
@@ -543,7 +549,7 @@ SaveCode GameState::saveGame( AsciiString filename, UnicodeString desc,
 	{
 
 		DEBUG_CRASH(( "GameState::saveGame - Unable to find valid filename for save game" ));
-		return SC_NO_FILE_AVAILABLE;
+		return SaveResult( SC_NO_FILE_AVAILABLE );
 
 	}
 
@@ -561,10 +567,8 @@ SaveCode GameState::saveGame( AsciiString filename, UnicodeString desc,
 	try {
 		xferSave.open( filepath );
 	} catch(...) {
-		// print error message to the user
-		TheInGameUI->message( "GUI:Error" );
 		DEBUG_LOG(( "Error opening file '%s'", filepath.str() ));
-		return SC_ERROR;
+		return SaveResult( SC_UNABLE_TO_OPEN_FILE, filename );
 	}
 
 	// save our save file type
@@ -592,35 +596,23 @@ SaveCode GameState::saveGame( AsciiString filename, UnicodeString desc,
 	catch( ... )
 	{
 
-		UnicodeString ufilepath;
-		ufilepath.translate(filepath);
-
-		UnicodeString msg;
-		msg.format( TheGameText->fetch("GUI:ErrorSavingGame"), ufilepath.str() );
-
-		MessageBoxOk(TheGameText->fetch("GUI:Error"), msg, nullptr);
-
 		// close the file and get out of here
 		xferSave.close();
-		return SC_ERROR;
+		return SaveResult( SC_ERROR, filename );
 
 	}
 
 	// close the file
 	xferSave.close();
 
-	// print message to the user for game successfully saved
-	UnicodeString msg = TheGameText->fetch( "GUI:GameSaveComplete" );
-	TheInGameUI->message( msg );
-
-	return SC_OK;
+	return SaveResult( SC_OK, filename );
 
 }
 
 // ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 /** A mission save */
 // ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-SaveCode GameState::missionSave()
+SaveResult GameState::missionSave()
 {
 
 	// get campaign
@@ -664,8 +656,9 @@ SaveCode GameState::loadGame( AvailableGameInfo gameInfo )
 	//
 	TheGameStateMap->clearScratchPadMaps();
 
-	// construct path to file
-	AsciiString filepath = getFilePathInSaveDirectory(gameInfo.filename);
+	// Relative names come from the save menu. Absolute paths can come from
+	// command-line file handlers and are opened in place.
+	AsciiString filepath = getSaveGamePathForRead(gameInfo.filename);
 
 	// open the save file
 	XferLoad xferLoad;
@@ -717,15 +710,6 @@ SaveCode GameState::loadGame( AvailableGameInfo gameInfo )
 			TheGameLogic->clearGameData( FALSE );
 		TheGameEngine->reset();
 
-		// print error message to the user
-		UnicodeString ufilepath;
-		ufilepath.translate(filepath);
-
-		UnicodeString msg;
-		msg.format( TheGameText->fetch("GUI:ErrorLoadingGame"), ufilepath.str() );
-
-		MessageBoxOk(TheGameText->fetch("GUI:Error"), msg, nullptr);
-
 		return SC_INVALID_DATA;	// you can't use a naked "throw" outside of a catch statement!
 
 	}
@@ -773,6 +757,19 @@ AsciiString GameState::getFilePathInSaveDirectory(const AsciiString& leaf) const
 	return tmp;
 }
 
+//-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// TheSuperHackers @feature bobtista 08/08/2026 Open command-line save paths in place while
+// preserving the managed Save directory for relative menu filenames and save writes.
+AsciiString GameState::getSaveGamePathForRead(const AsciiString& filenameOrPath) const
+{
+	if (FileSystem::isAbsolutePath(filenameOrPath))
+	{
+		return filenameOrPath;
+	}
+
+	return getFilePathInSaveDirectory(filenameOrPath);
+}
+
 //-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Bool GameState::isInSaveDirectory(const AsciiString& path) const
 {
@@ -930,8 +927,7 @@ AsciiString GameState::portableMapPathToRealMapPath(const AsciiString& in) const
 Bool GameState::doesSaveGameExist( AsciiString filename )
 {
 
-	// construct full path to file
-	AsciiString filepath = getFilePathInSaveDirectory(filename);
+	AsciiString filepath = getSaveGamePathForRead(filename);
 
 	// open file
 	XferLoad xfer;
@@ -976,6 +972,8 @@ void GameState::getSaveGameInfoFromFile( AsciiString filename, SaveGameInfo *sav
 
 	}
 
+	filename = getSaveGamePathForRead(filename);
+
 	// open file for partial loading
 	XferLoad xferLoad;
 	xferLoad.open( filename );
@@ -1351,6 +1349,10 @@ void GameState::xferSaveData( Xfer *xfer, SnapshotType which )
 			blockName = blockInfo->blockName;
 
 			DEBUG_LOG(("Looking at block '%s'", blockName.str()));
+			if( TheGlobalData->m_headless && isHeadlessOmittedBlock( blockName ) )
+			{
+				continue;
+			}
 
 			//
 			// for mission save files, we only save the game state block and campaign manager
@@ -1448,8 +1450,15 @@ void GameState::xferSaveData( Xfer *xfer, SnapshotType which )
 					// read block start
 					blockSize = xfer->beginBlock();
 
-					// parse this data
-					xfer->xferSnapshot( blockInfo->snapshot );
+					if( TheGlobalData->m_headless && isHeadlessOmittedBlock( token ) )
+					{
+						xfer->skip( blockSize );
+					}
+					else
+					{
+						// parse this data
+						xfer->xferSnapshot( blockInfo->snapshot );
+					}
 
 					// read block end
 					xfer->endBlock();
diff --git a/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/GUI/GUICallbacks/Menus/PopupSaveLoad.cpp b/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/GUI/GUICallbacks/Menus/PopupSaveLoad.cpp
index 6dbbacb9c0c..ff6d7b7e7d9 100644
--- a/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/GUI/GUICallbacks/Menus/PopupSaveLoad.cpp
+++ b/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/GUI/GUICallbacks/Menus/PopupSaveLoad.cpp
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@
 #include "GameClient/GameText.h"
 #include "GameClient/GameWindowManager.h"
 #include "GameClient/GUICallbacks.h"
+#include "GameClient/SaveLoadFeedback.h"
 #include "GameClient/Shell.h"
 #include "GameLogic/GameLogic.h"
 #include "GameClient/GameWindowTransitions.h"
@@ -404,7 +405,10 @@ static void doLoadGame()
 	// loose these allocated user data pointers attached as listbox item data when the
 	// engine resets
 	//
-	if (TheGameState->loadGame( *selectedGameInfo ) != SC_OK)
+	const AsciiString filename = selectedGameInfo->filename;
+	const SaveCode result = TheGameState->loadGame( *selectedGameInfo );
+	presentLoadResult( result, filename );
+	if (result != SC_OK)
 	{
 		if (TheGameLogic->isInGame())
 			TheGameLogic->clearGameData( FALSE );
@@ -771,7 +775,8 @@ WindowMsgHandledType SaveLoadMenuSystem( GameWindow *window, UnsignedInt msg,
 					// save the game
 					AsciiString filename;
 					filename = selectedGameInfo->filename;
-					TheGameState->saveGame( filename, selectedGameInfo->saveGameInfo.description, fileType );
+					presentSaveResult( TheGameState->saveGame( filename,
+						selectedGameInfo->saveGameInfo.description, fileType ) );
 
 /*
 					// set the description text entry field to default value
@@ -835,7 +840,7 @@ WindowMsgHandledType SaveLoadMenuSystem( GameWindow *window, UnsignedInt msg,
 				AsciiString filename;
 				if( selectedGameInfo )
 					filename = selectedGameInfo->filename;
-				TheGameState->saveGame( filename, desc, fileType );
+				presentSaveResult( TheGameState->saveGame( filename, desc, fileType ) );
 
 			}
 			else if( controlID == buttonSaveDescCancel )
diff --git a/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/GUI/GUICallbacks/Menus/ScoreScreen.cpp b/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/GUI/GUICallbacks/Menus/ScoreScreen.cpp
index 8eda61ca615..0202b74a41e 100644
--- a/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/GUI/GUICallbacks/Menus/ScoreScreen.cpp
+++ b/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/GUI/GUICallbacks/Menus/ScoreScreen.cpp
@@ -74,6 +74,7 @@
 #include "GameLogic/VictoryConditions.h"
 #include "GameClient/Display.h"
 #include "GameClient/GUICallbacks.h"
+#include "GameClient/SaveLoadFeedback.h"
 #include "GameClient/WindowLayout.h"
 #include "GameClient/GameWindowManager.h"
 #include "GameClient/Gadget.h"
@@ -767,7 +768,7 @@ void finishSinglePlayerInit()
 			GadgetButtonSetText(buttonContinue, TheGameText->fetch("GUI:SaveAndContinue"));
 
 			// auto save game
-			TheGameState->missionSave();
+			presentSaveResult( TheGameState->missionSave() );
 			if(staticTextGameSaved)
 				staticTextGameSaved->winHide(FALSE);
 		}
diff --git a/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/GUI/Shell/Shell.cpp b/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/GUI/Shell/Shell.cpp
index 909e27a0e21..bb2093df288 100644
--- a/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/GUI/Shell/Shell.cpp
+++ b/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/GUI/Shell/Shell.cpp
@@ -465,10 +465,13 @@ void Shell::showShell( Bool runInit )
 {
 	DEBUG_LOG(("Shell:showShell() - %s (%s)", TheGlobalData->m_initialFile.str(), (top())?top()->getFilename().str():"no top screen"));
 
-	if(!TheGlobalData->m_initialFile.isEmpty() || !TheGlobalData->m_simulateReplays.empty())
+	if(!TheGlobalData->m_initialFile.isEmpty() || !TheGlobalData->m_simulateReplays.empty() ||
+		TheGlobalData->m_loadSaveGame.isNotEmpty())
 	{
 		return;
 	}
+	const Bool isCommandLineLoadPending = TheGlobalData->m_loadSaveGame.isNotEmpty() ||
+		TheGlobalData->m_loadReplayGame.isNotEmpty();
 
 	// runInit is used if we want show shell to run
 	if(runInit)
@@ -513,17 +516,21 @@ void Shell::showShell( Bool runInit )
 	//	}
 
 
-	if (!TheGlobalData->m_shellMapOn && m_screenCount == 0)
-	//else
+	if ((!TheGlobalData->m_shellMapOn || isCommandLineLoadPending) && m_screenCount == 0)
+	{
 		push( "Menus/MainMenu.wnd" );
+	}
 	m_isShellActive = TRUE;
 }
 
 void Shell::showShellMap(Bool useShellMap )
 {
 	// we don't want any of this to show if we're loading straight into a file
-	if (TheGlobalData->m_initialFile.isNotEmpty() || !TheGameLogic || !TheGlobalData->m_simulateReplays.empty())
+	if (TheGlobalData->m_initialFile.isNotEmpty() || !TheGameLogic || !TheGlobalData->m_simulateReplays.empty() ||
+		TheGlobalData->m_loadSaveGame.isNotEmpty() || TheGlobalData->m_loadReplayGame.isNotEmpty())
+	{
 		return;
+	}
 	if(useShellMap && TheGlobalData->m_shellMapOn)
 	{
 		// we're already in a shell game, return
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Include/Common/GameState.h b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Include/Common/GameState.h
index 16bc991b69a..e8f93386a5d 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Include/Common/GameState.h
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Include/Common/GameState.h
@@ -132,6 +132,15 @@ enum SaveCode CPP_11(: Int)
 	SC_ERROR,
 };
 
+struct SaveResult
+{
+	explicit SaveResult( SaveCode code ) : saveCode(code) { }
+	SaveResult( SaveCode code, const AsciiString &file ) : saveCode(code), filename(file) { }
+
+	SaveCode saveCode;
+	AsciiString filename;	///< the file that was written, empty when no filename could be found
+};
+
 enum SnapshotType CPP_11(: Int) {
 	SNAPSHOT_SAVELOAD,
 	SNAPSHOT_DEEPCRC_LOGICONLY,
@@ -156,11 +165,11 @@ class GameState : public SubsystemInterface,
 	virtual void update() override { }
 
 	// save game methods
-	SaveCode saveGame( AsciiString filename,
+	SaveResult saveGame( AsciiString filename,
 										 UnicodeString desc,
 										 SaveFileType saveType,
-										 SnapshotType which = SNAPSHOT_SAVELOAD  );  ///< save a game
-	SaveCode missionSave();																	 ///< do a in between mission save
+										 SnapshotType which = SNAPSHOT_SAVELOAD );  ///< save a game
+	SaveResult missionSave();																 ///< do a in between mission save
 	SaveCode loadGame( AvailableGameInfo gameInfo );							 ///< load a save file
 	SaveGameInfo *getSaveGameInfo() { return &m_gameInfo; }
 
@@ -170,7 +179,7 @@ class GameState : public SubsystemInterface,
 	// manipulating files
 	Bool doesSaveGameExist( AsciiString filename );							///< does the save file exist
 	void populateSaveGameListbox( GameWindow *listbox, SaveLoadLayoutType layoutType );	///< populate listbox with available save games
-	void getSaveGameInfoFromFile( AsciiString filename, SaveGameInfo *saveGameInfo );		///< get save game info from file
+	void getSaveGameInfoFromFile( AsciiString filename, SaveGameInfo *saveGameInfo );		///< get save game info from a Save-directory name or absolute path
 
 	void friend_xferSaveDataForCRC( Xfer *xfer, SnapshotType which );		///< This should only be called to DeepCRC sanity checking
 
@@ -181,6 +190,7 @@ class GameState : public SubsystemInterface,
 
 	AsciiString getSaveDirectory() const;
 	AsciiString getFilePathInSaveDirectory(const AsciiString& leaf) const;
+	AsciiString getSaveGamePathForRead(const AsciiString& filenameOrPath) const;
 	Bool isInSaveDirectory(const AsciiString& path) const;
 
 	AsciiString realMapPathToPortableMapPath(const AsciiString& in) const;
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Include/Common/GlobalData.h b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Include/Common/GlobalData.h
index 7f484111672..a1df63ea29d 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Include/Common/GlobalData.h
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Include/Common/GlobalData.h
@@ -351,6 +351,8 @@ class GlobalData : public SubsystemInterface
 	Bool m_buildMapCache;
 	AsciiString m_initialFile;				///< If this is specified, load a specific map from the command-line
 	AsciiString m_pendingFile;				///< If this is specified, use this map at the next game start
+	AsciiString m_loadSaveGame;				///< If this is specified, load a save game file from the command-line
+	AsciiString m_loadReplayGame;			///< If this is specified, load a replay file from the command-line
 
 	std::vector<AsciiString> m_simulateReplays; ///< If not empty, simulate this list of replays and exit.
 	Int m_simulateReplayJobs; ///< Maximum number of processes to use for simulation, or SIMULATE_REPLAYS_SEQUENTIAL for sequential simulation
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/GameEngine.cpp b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/GameEngine.cpp
index 32b93d3dba7..e0973c7824b 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/GameEngine.cpp
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/GameEngine.cpp
@@ -890,6 +890,40 @@ Bool GameEngine::canUpdateRegularGameLogic(UnsignedInt logicTimeQueryFlags)
 /// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DECLARE_PERF_TIMER(GameEngine_update)
 
+// TheSuperHackers @feature bobtista 08/08/2026 Validate command-line replays before starting visual playback.
+static Bool validateCommandLineReplay(const AsciiString& filename)
+{
+	RecorderClass::ReplayHeader header;
+	header.forPlayback = FALSE;
+	header.filename = filename;
+
+	if (TheRecorder == nullptr || !TheRecorder->readReplayHeader(header))
+	{
+		DEBUG_LOG(("Failed to read replay '%s'", filename.str()));
+		return FALSE;
+	}
+
+	ReplayGameInfo gameInfo;
+	if (!ParseAsciiStringToGameInfo(&gameInfo, header.gameOptions))
+	{
+		DEBUG_LOG(("Replay '%s' contains invalid game options", filename.str()));
+		return FALSE;
+	}
+
+	if (TheMapCache == nullptr || TheMapCache->findMap(gameInfo.getMap()) == nullptr)
+	{
+		DEBUG_LOG(("Replay '%s' requires unavailable map '%s'", filename.str(), gameInfo.getMap().str()));
+		return FALSE;
+	}
+
+	if (!RecorderClass::replayMatchesGameVersion(header))
+	{
+		DEBUG_LOG(("Replay '%s' was created by a different game version; command-line playback will continue", filename.str()));
+	}
+
+	return TRUE;
+}
+
 /** -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  * Update the game engine by updating the GameClient and GameLogic singletons.
  */
@@ -915,6 +949,71 @@ void GameEngine::update()
 			}
 		}
 
+		// TheSuperHackers @feature bobtista 22/07/2026 Defer command-line save loading until the client has created the shell
+		// layout that normal game sessions return to.
+		if (TheGlobalData->m_loadSaveGame.isNotEmpty())
+		{
+			AvailableGameInfo gameInfo;
+			gameInfo.filename = TheGlobalData->m_loadSaveGame;
+			gameInfo.next = nullptr;
+			gameInfo.prev = nullptr;
+
+			AsciiString filename = gameInfo.filename;
+			Bool loadSucceeded = FALSE;
+			try
+			{
+				TheGameState->getSaveGameInfoFromFile(gameInfo.filename, &gameInfo.saveGameInfo);
+				TheGameLogic->prepareNewGame(GAME_SINGLE_PLAYER, DIFFICULTY_NORMAL, 0);
+				loadSucceeded = TheGameState->loadGame(gameInfo) == SC_OK;
+			}
+			catch (...)
+			{
+				DEBUG_LOG(("Failed to read save game '%s'", filename.str()));
+			}
+
+			TheWritableGlobalData->m_loadSaveGame.clear();
+			if (loadSucceeded)
+			{
+				if (TheShell)
+				{
+					TheShell->hideShell();
+				}
+			}
+			else
+			{
+				if (TheGameLogic->isInGame())
+				{
+					TheGameLogic->clearGameData(FALSE);
+				}
+				TheGameEngine->reset();
+				DEBUG_LOG(("Failed to load save game '%s'", filename.str()));
+				printf("Failed to load save game '%s'\n", filename.str());
+				m_quitting = TRUE;
+			}
+		}
+
+		// TheSuperHackers @feature bobtista 08/08/2026 Defer command-line replay loading until the client has initialized the
+		// UI state used by normal visual replay playback.
+		if (TheGlobalData->m_loadReplayGame.isNotEmpty())
+		{
+			AsciiString replayGame = TheGlobalData->m_loadReplayGame;
+			TheWritableGlobalData->m_loadReplayGame.clear();
+
+			if (validateCommandLineReplay(replayGame) && TheRecorder->playbackFile(replayGame))
+			{
+				if (TheShell)
+				{
+					TheShell->hideShell();
+				}
+			}
+			else
+			{
+				DEBUG_LOG(("Failed to load replay '%s'", replayGame.str()));
+				printf("Failed to load replay '%s'\n", replayGame.str());
+				m_quitting = TRUE;
+			}
+		}
+
 		// TheSuperHackers @info Ignores frozen time because the script engine needs updating in the logic update regardless.
 		if (canUpdateGameLogic(FramePacer::IgnoreFrozenTime))
 		{
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/GlobalData.cpp b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/GlobalData.cpp
index e862cd149d5..09a9a09e899 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/GlobalData.cpp
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/GlobalData.cpp
@@ -993,6 +993,8 @@ GlobalData::GlobalData()
 	m_buildMapCache = FALSE;
 	m_initialFile.clear();
 	m_pendingFile.clear();
+	m_loadSaveGame.clear();
+	m_loadReplayGame.clear();
 
 	m_simulateReplays.clear();
 	m_simulateReplayJobs = SIMULATE_REPLAYS_SEQUENTIAL;
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/Recorder.cpp b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/Recorder.cpp
index 9d71eb45b1b..1b581a247e0 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/Recorder.cpp
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/Recorder.cpp
@@ -849,8 +849,14 @@ void RecorderClass::writeArgument(GameMessageArgumentDataType type, const GameMe
  */
 Bool RecorderClass::readReplayHeader(ReplayHeader& header)
 {
-	AsciiString filepath = getReplayDir();
-	filepath.concat(header.filename.str());
+	// TheSuperHackers @feature bobtista 08/08/2026 Open explicitly selected replay paths in place
+	// while preserving Replay directory lookup for menu filenames and existing command lines.
+	AsciiString filepath = header.filename;
+	if (!FileSystem::isAbsolutePath(filepath))
+	{
+		filepath = getReplayDir();
+		filepath.concat(header.filename.str());
+	}
 
 	// TheSuperHackers @performance More buffered data reduces disk overhead and will improve fast forward playback
 	const UnsignedInt buffersize = header.forPlayback ? replayBufferBytes : File::BUFFERSIZE;
@@ -1000,6 +1006,17 @@ void RecorderClass::handleCRCMessage(UnsignedInt newCRC, Int playerIndex, Bool f
 		//	playbackCRC, newCRC, TheGameLogic->getFrame()-m_crcInfo.GetQueueSize()-1, playerIndex));
 		if (TheGameLogic->getFrame() > 0 && newCRC != playbackCRC && !m_crcInfo.sawCRCMismatch())
 		{
+			// TheSuperHackers @feature bobtista 08/08/2026 Allow explicit diagnostic replay playback to continue without UI reporting or pausing.
+			if (TheDebugIgnoreSyncErrors)
+			{
+				const UnsignedInt mismatchFrame = TheGameLogic->getFrame() - m_crcInfo.GetQueueSize() - 1;
+				DEBUG_LOG(("Replay CRC mismatch ignored at frame %d\nInGame:%8.8X Replay:%8.8X",
+					mismatchFrame, playbackCRC, newCRC));
+				printf("CRC Mismatch in Frame %d (ignored)\n", mismatchFrame);
+				m_crcInfo.setSawCRCMismatch();
+				return;
+			}
+
 			//Kris: Patch 1.01 November 10, 2003 (integrated changes from Matt Campbell)
 			// Since we don't seem to have any *visible* desyncs when replaying games, but get this warning
 			// virtually every replay, the assumption is our CRC checking is faulty.  Since we're at the
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/System/SaveGame/GameState.cpp b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/System/SaveGame/GameState.cpp
index 04cc701b5e1..88513a979f2 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/System/SaveGame/GameState.cpp
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/System/SaveGame/GameState.cpp
@@ -48,7 +48,6 @@
 #include "GameClient/GameClient.h"
 #include "GameClient/GameText.h"
 #include "GameClient/MapUtil.h"
-#include "GameClient/MessageBox.h"
 #include "GameClient/InGameUI.h"
 #include "GameClient/ParticleSys.h"
 #include "GameClient/TerrainVisual.h"
@@ -73,6 +72,13 @@ static const Int MAX_SAVE_FILE_NUMBER  =  99999999;
 #define GAME_STATE_BLOCK_STRING "CHUNK_GameState"  // block of save game data with game info data
 #define CAMPAIGN_BLOCK_STRING "CHUNK_Campaign"		 // block of game data that has campaign info
 
+static Bool isHeadlessOmittedBlock( const AsciiString &blockName )
+{
+	return blockName.compareNoCase( "CHUNK_ParticleSystem" ) == 0 ||
+		blockName.compareNoCase( "CHUNK_TerrainVisual" ) == 0 ||
+		blockName.compareNoCase( "CHUNK_GhostObject" ) == 0;
+}
+
 // ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 SaveGameInfo::SaveGameInfo()
@@ -532,8 +538,8 @@ AsciiString GameState::findNextSaveFilename( UnicodeString desc )
 /** Save the current state of the engine in a save file
 	* NOTE: filename is a *filename only* */
 // ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-SaveCode GameState::saveGame( AsciiString filename, UnicodeString desc,
-															SaveFileType saveType, SnapshotType which )
+SaveResult GameState::saveGame( AsciiString filename, UnicodeString desc,
+													SaveFileType saveType, SnapshotType which )
 {
 
 	// if there is no filename, this is a new file being created, find an appropriate filename
@@ -543,7 +549,7 @@ SaveCode GameState::saveGame( AsciiString filename, UnicodeString desc,
 	{
 
 		DEBUG_CRASH(( "GameState::saveGame - Unable to find valid filename for save game" ));
-		return SC_NO_FILE_AVAILABLE;
+		return SaveResult( SC_NO_FILE_AVAILABLE );
 
 	}
 
@@ -561,10 +567,8 @@ SaveCode GameState::saveGame( AsciiString filename, UnicodeString desc,
 	try {
 		xferSave.open( filepath );
 	} catch(...) {
-		// print error message to the user
-		TheInGameUI->message( "GUI:Error" );
 		DEBUG_LOG(( "Error opening file '%s'", filepath.str() ));
-		return SC_ERROR;
+		return SaveResult( SC_UNABLE_TO_OPEN_FILE, filename );
 	}
 
 	// save our save file type
@@ -592,35 +596,23 @@ SaveCode GameState::saveGame( AsciiString filename, UnicodeString desc,
 	catch( ... )
 	{
 
-		UnicodeString ufilepath;
-		ufilepath.translate(filepath);
-
-		UnicodeString msg;
-		msg.format( TheGameText->fetch("GUI:ErrorSavingGame"), ufilepath.str() );
-
-		MessageBoxOk(TheGameText->fetch("GUI:Error"), msg, nullptr);
-
 		// close the file and get out of here
 		xferSave.close();
-		return SC_ERROR;
+		return SaveResult( SC_ERROR, filename );
 
 	}
 
 	// close the file
 	xferSave.close();
 
-	// print message to the user for game successfully saved
-	UnicodeString msg = TheGameText->fetch( "GUI:GameSaveComplete" );
-	TheInGameUI->message( msg );
-
-	return SC_OK;
+	return SaveResult( SC_OK, filename );
 
 }
 
 // ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 /** A mission save */
 // ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-SaveCode GameState::missionSave()
+SaveResult GameState::missionSave()
 {
 
 	// get campaign
@@ -664,8 +656,9 @@ SaveCode GameState::loadGame( AvailableGameInfo gameInfo )
 	//
 	TheGameStateMap->clearScratchPadMaps();
 
-	// construct path to file
-	AsciiString filepath = getFilePathInSaveDirectory(gameInfo.filename);
+	// Relative names come from the save menu. Absolute paths can come from
+	// command-line file handlers and are opened in place.
+	AsciiString filepath = getSaveGamePathForRead(gameInfo.filename);
 
 	// open the save file
 	XferLoad xferLoad;
@@ -717,15 +710,6 @@ SaveCode GameState::loadGame( AvailableGameInfo gameInfo )
 			TheGameLogic->clearGameData( FALSE );
 		TheGameEngine->reset();
 
-		// print error message to the user
-		UnicodeString ufilepath;
-		ufilepath.translate(filepath);
-
-		UnicodeString msg;
-		msg.format( TheGameText->fetch("GUI:ErrorLoadingGame"), ufilepath.str() );
-
-		MessageBoxOk(TheGameText->fetch("GUI:Error"), msg, nullptr);
-
 		return SC_INVALID_DATA;	// you can't use a naked "throw" outside of a catch statement!
 
 	}
@@ -773,6 +757,19 @@ AsciiString GameState::getFilePathInSaveDirectory(const AsciiString& leaf) const
 	return tmp;
 }
 
+//-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// TheSuperHackers @feature bobtista 08/08/2026 Open command-line save paths in place while
+// preserving the managed Save directory for relative menu filenames and save writes.
+AsciiString GameState::getSaveGamePathForRead(const AsciiString& filenameOrPath) const
+{
+	if (FileSystem::isAbsolutePath(filenameOrPath))
+	{
+		return filenameOrPath;
+	}
+
+	return getFilePathInSaveDirectory(filenameOrPath);
+}
+
 //-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Bool GameState::isInSaveDirectory(const AsciiString& path) const
 {
@@ -930,8 +927,7 @@ AsciiString GameState::portableMapPathToRealMapPath(const AsciiString& in) const
 Bool GameState::doesSaveGameExist( AsciiString filename )
 {
 
-	// construct full path to file
-	AsciiString filepath = getFilePathInSaveDirectory(filename);
+	AsciiString filepath = getSaveGamePathForRead(filename);
 
 	// open file
 	XferLoad xfer;
@@ -976,6 +972,8 @@ void GameState::getSaveGameInfoFromFile( AsciiString filename, SaveGameInfo *sav
 
 	}
 
+	filename = getSaveGamePathForRead(filename);
+
 	// open file for partial loading
 	XferLoad xferLoad;
 	xferLoad.open( filename );
@@ -1351,6 +1349,10 @@ void GameState::xferSaveData( Xfer *xfer, SnapshotType which )
 			blockName = blockInfo->blockName;
 
 			DEBUG_LOG(("Looking at block '%s'", blockName.str()));
+			if( TheGlobalData->m_headless && isHeadlessOmittedBlock( blockName ) )
+			{
+				continue;
+			}
 
 			//
 			// for mission save files, we only save the game state block and campaign manager
@@ -1448,8 +1450,15 @@ void GameState::xferSaveData( Xfer *xfer, SnapshotType which )
 					// read block start
 					blockSize = xfer->beginBlock();
 
-					// parse this data
-					xfer->xferSnapshot( blockInfo->snapshot );
+					if( TheGlobalData->m_headless && isHeadlessOmittedBlock( token ) )
+					{
+						xfer->skip( blockSize );
+					}
+					else
+					{
+						// parse this data
+						xfer->xferSnapshot( blockInfo->snapshot );
+					}
 
 					// read block end
 					xfer->endBlock();
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/GUI/GUICallbacks/Menus/PopupSaveLoad.cpp b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/GUI/GUICallbacks/Menus/PopupSaveLoad.cpp
index 45cb58fd4b9..0831837b275 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/GUI/GUICallbacks/Menus/PopupSaveLoad.cpp
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/GUI/GUICallbacks/Menus/PopupSaveLoad.cpp
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@
 #include "GameClient/GameText.h"
 #include "GameClient/GameWindowManager.h"
 #include "GameClient/GUICallbacks.h"
+#include "GameClient/SaveLoadFeedback.h"
 #include "GameClient/Shell.h"
 #include "GameLogic/GameLogic.h"
 #include "GameClient/GameWindowTransitions.h"
@@ -414,7 +415,10 @@ static void doLoadGame()
 	// loose these allocated user data pointers attached as listbox item data when the
 	// engine resets
 	//
-	if (TheGameState->loadGame( *selectedGameInfo ) != SC_OK)
+	const AsciiString filename = selectedGameInfo->filename;
+	const SaveCode result = TheGameState->loadGame( *selectedGameInfo );
+	presentLoadResult( result, filename );
+	if (result != SC_OK)
 	{
 		if (TheGameLogic->isInGame())
 			TheGameLogic->clearGameData( FALSE );
@@ -787,7 +791,8 @@ WindowMsgHandledType SaveLoadMenuSystem( GameWindow *window, UnsignedInt msg,
 					// save the game
 					AsciiString filename;
 					filename = selectedGameInfo->filename;
-					TheGameState->saveGame( filename, selectedGameInfo->saveGameInfo.description, fileType );
+					presentSaveResult( TheGameState->saveGame( filename,
+						selectedGameInfo->saveGameInfo.description, fileType ) );
 
 /*
 					// set the description text entry field to default value
@@ -851,7 +856,7 @@ WindowMsgHandledType SaveLoadMenuSystem( GameWindow *window, UnsignedInt msg,
 				AsciiString filename;
 				if( selectedGameInfo )
 					filename = selectedGameInfo->filename;
-				TheGameState->saveGame( filename, desc, fileType );
+				presentSaveResult( TheGameState->saveGame( filename, desc, fileType ) );
 
 			}
 			else if( controlID == buttonSaveDescCancel )
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/GUI/GUICallbacks/Menus/ScoreScreen.cpp b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/GUI/GUICallbacks/Menus/ScoreScreen.cpp
index 3f37cfab57f..2b49f943ff1 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/GUI/GUICallbacks/Menus/ScoreScreen.cpp
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/GUI/GUICallbacks/Menus/ScoreScreen.cpp
@@ -77,6 +77,7 @@
 #include "GameLogic/VictoryConditions.h"
 #include "GameClient/Display.h"
 #include "GameClient/GUICallbacks.h"
+#include "GameClient/SaveLoadFeedback.h"
 #include "GameClient/WindowLayout.h"
 #include "GameClient/GameWindowManager.h"
 #include "GameClient/Gadget.h"
@@ -928,7 +929,7 @@ void finishSinglePlayerInit()
 			GadgetButtonSetText(buttonContinue, TheGameText->fetch("GUI:SaveAndContinue"));
 
 			// auto save game
-			TheGameState->missionSave();
+			presentSaveResult( TheGameState->missionSave() );
 			if(staticTextGameSaved)
 				staticTextGameSaved->winHide(FALSE);
 		}
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/GUI/Shell/Shell.cpp b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/GUI/Shell/Shell.cpp
index 1b6278d02db..a11aac12ffb 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/GUI/Shell/Shell.cpp
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/GUI/Shell/Shell.cpp
@@ -469,6 +469,8 @@ void Shell::showShell( Bool runInit )
 	{
 		return;
 	}
+	const Bool isCommandLineLoadPending = TheGlobalData->m_loadSaveGame.isNotEmpty() ||
+		TheGlobalData->m_loadReplayGame.isNotEmpty();
 
 	// runInit is used if we want show shell to run
 	if(runInit)
@@ -513,12 +515,11 @@ void Shell::showShell( Bool runInit )
 	//	}
 
 
-	if (!TheGlobalData->m_shellMapOn && m_screenCount == 0)
+	if ((!TheGlobalData->m_shellMapOn || isCommandLineLoadPending) && m_screenCount == 0)
   {
 #ifdef RTS_PROFILE_LEGACY
     Profile::StopRange("init");
 #endif
-	//else
 		push( "Menus/MainMenu.wnd" );
   }
 	m_isShellActive = TRUE;
@@ -527,8 +528,11 @@ void Shell::showShell( Bool runInit )
 void Shell::showShellMap(Bool useShellMap )
 {
 	// we don't want any of this to show if we're loading straight into a file
-	if (TheGlobalData->m_initialFile.isNotEmpty() || !TheGameLogic || !TheGlobalData->m_simulateReplays.empty())
+	if (TheGlobalData->m_initialFile.isNotEmpty() || !TheGameLogic || !TheGlobalData->m_simulateReplays.empty() ||
+		TheGlobalData->m_loadSaveGame.isNotEmpty() || TheGlobalData->m_loadReplayGame.isNotEmpty())
+	{
 		return;
+	}
 	if(useShellMap && TheGlobalData->m_shellMapOn)
 	{
 		// we're already in a shell game, return