//--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

	void Start()
	{
		mSavedGameManager = SavedGameManager.createOrLoadSavedGameManager(gmPrefab).GetComponent<SavedGameManager>();

		//if the current game ptr is somehow bad, return to the main menu
		if(mSavedGameManager.getCurrentGame() == null)
		{
			Debug.Log("ERROR: CURRENT GAME PTR NULL -- LOADING MAIN MENU");
			SceneManager.LoadScene((int)SceneIndex.MAIN_MENU);
			return;
		}

		//init resource arrays
		buttonSprites = Resources.LoadAll<Sprite>("GUI_Assets/Menu_Loadouts");
		iconSprites = Resources.LoadAll<Sprite>("GUI_Assets/LoadoutIcons_new");

		elementStrings = new string[16, 3]		//name, description, unlock
		{
			{"Exterminator", 		"Standard issue chassis. Takes 3 hits.", 									"-"},
			{"Final", 				"Breaks after a single hit, but radiates a mysterious energy...", 			"Complete Tutorial 3 to unlock!"},
			{"Booster", 			"Slower than the Exterminator, but Precision gives you a speed boost.", 	"Complete Level 1-1 to unlock!"},
			{"Shrink", 				"Slower than the Exterminator, but your hitbox in Precision is SMALL.", 	"Complete Level 2-2 to unlock!"},
			{"Quick", 				"Quicker but weaker than the Exterminator. Secondaries recharge faster.", 	"Complete Level 3-3 to unlock!"},

			{"Bug Repellants", 		"Standard issue anti-bug bullets.", 										"-"},
			{"No-Miss Swatter", 	"Fire and forget! Automatically attacks the nearest enemy.", 				"Complete Tutorial 2 to unlock!"},
			{"Precision Pesticide", "Laser that sweeps from side to side as you move.", 						"Complete Level 1-2 to unlock!"},
			{"Citronella Flame", 	"Shoots a short, but powerful cone of fire.", 								"Complete Level 2-1 to unlock!"},
			{"Volt Lantern", 		"Powerful forward and rear facing lasers.", 								"Complete Level 3-2 to unlock!"},

			{"EMP Counter", 		"Disrupts enemy firing systems and clears the area of bullets.", 			"-"},
			{"Phasing System", 		"Renders your ship invulnerable for a short time.", 						"Complete Tutorial 1 to unlock!"},
			{"Holo-Duplicate", 		"Deploys a hologram of your ship that enemies attack instead.", 			"Complete Level 1-3 to unlock!"},
			{"Mosquito Tesla Coil", "Hold to absorb bullets. Release to send damage back. Does not recharge!", 	"Complete Level 2-3 to unlock!"},
			{"Freeze Ray", 			"Starts a chain reaction that freezes nearby enemy bullets.", 				"Complete Level 3-1 to unlock!"},

			{"-", "-", "-"}
		};

		//sanity check -- null any current loadout data on the current game ptr
		mSavedGameManager.getCurrentGame().setCurrentLoadout(null);
		mCurrentLoadout = new Loadout();

		//initialize the default loadout
		mCurrentLoadout.setChasis(Loadout.LoadoutChasis.EXTERMINATOR);
		mCurrentLoadout.setPrimary(Loadout.LoadoutPrimary.REPEL);
		mCurrentLoadout.setSecondary(Loadout.LoadoutSecondary.EMP);

		//init menu as though chassis button has been clicked
		chassisButton.Select();
		handleChassisButtonClicked();

		StartCoroutine(mScreenFader.FadeFromBlack());
		StartCoroutine(handleIconAnimation());
	}