diff --git a/assets/fx/zuma-lose.mp3 b/assets/fx/zuma-lose.mp3
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4f0d9bf
Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/fx/zuma-lose.mp3 differ
diff --git a/data/zuma-music.json b/data/zuma-music.json
index dea1de3..3757674 100644
--- a/data/zuma-music.json
+++ b/data/zuma-music.json
@@ -16,5 +16,5 @@
       "title": "Deep in the Jungle"
     }
   ],
-  "volume": 0.3
+  "volume": 0.5
 }
diff --git a/data/zuma.json b/data/zuma.json
index 4ac30c4..40a47a1 100644
--- a/data/zuma.json
+++ b/data/zuma.json
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 {
- "generatedAt": "2026-07-28T21:55:21.106Z",
+ "generatedAt": "2026-07-28T23:39:54.596Z",
  "count": 20,
  "levels": [
   {
@@ -372,13 +372,14 @@
    "colors": 4,
    "quota": 22,
    "introBalls": 7,
-   "pushSpeed": 100,
+   "pushSpeed": 60,
    "powerUpRate": 0.07,
+   "background": "zuma-background-1",
    "seed": 8919,
    "starScores": [
-    750,
-    1130,
-    1500
+    660,
+    990,
+    1320
    ]
   },
   {
@@ -527,13 +528,14 @@
    "colors": 4,
    "quota": 26,
    "introBalls": 8,
-   "pushSpeed": 128,
+   "pushSpeed": 76,
    "powerUpRate": 0.07,
+   "background": "zuma-background-2",
    "seed": 16838,
    "starScores": [
-    960,
-    1430,
-    1910
+    820,
+    1230,
+    1640
    ]
   },
   {
@@ -922,13 +924,14 @@
    "colors": 4,
    "quota": 30,
    "introBalls": 9,
-   "pushSpeed": 140,
+   "pushSpeed": 84,
    "powerUpRate": 0.065,
+   "background": "zuma-background-1",
    "seed": 24757,
    "starScores": [
-    1140,
-    1710,
-    2280
+    970,
+    1460,
+    1940
    ]
   },
   {
@@ -1281,13 +1284,14 @@
    "colors": 4,
    "quota": 32,
    "introBalls": 10,
-   "pushSpeed": 140,
+   "pushSpeed": 84,
    "powerUpRate": 0.065,
+   "background": "zuma-background-2",
    "seed": 32676,
    "starScores": [
-    1220,
-    1820,
-    2430
+    1040,
+    1550,
+    2070
    ]
   },
   {
@@ -1497,13 +1501,14 @@
    "colors": 4,
    "quota": 38,
    "introBalls": 11,
-   "pushSpeed": 148,
+   "pushSpeed": 88,
    "powerUpRate": 0.06,
+   "background": "zuma-background-1",
    "seed": 40595,
    "starScores": [
-    1480,
-    2210,
-    2950
+    1250,
+    1870,
+    2490
    ]
   },
   {
@@ -1724,13 +1729,14 @@
    "colors": 4,
    "quota": 34,
    "introBalls": 10,
-   "pushSpeed": 148,
+   "pushSpeed": 88,
    "powerUpRate": 0.06,
+   "background": "zuma-background-2",
    "seed": 48514,
    "starScores": [
-    1320,
-    1980,
-    2640
+    1120,
+    1670,
+    2230
    ]
   },
   {
@@ -2103,13 +2109,14 @@
    "colors": 4,
    "quota": 26,
    "introBalls": 8,
-   "pushSpeed": 180,
+   "pushSpeed": 108,
    "powerUpRate": 0.06,
+   "background": "zuma-background-1",
    "seed": 56433,
    "starScores": [
-    1090,
-    1640,
-    2180
+    910,
+    1360,
+    1810
    ]
   },
   {
@@ -2263,13 +2270,14 @@
    "colors": 5,
    "quota": 30,
    "introBalls": 9,
-   "pushSpeed": 160,
+   "pushSpeed": 96,
    "powerUpRate": 0.055,
+   "background": "zuma-background-2",
    "seed": 64352,
    "starScores": [
-    1200,
-    1800,
-    2400
+    1010,
+    1520,
+    2020
    ]
   },
   {
@@ -2622,13 +2630,14 @@
    "colors": 5,
    "quota": 36,
    "introBalls": 11,
-   "pushSpeed": 160,
+   "pushSpeed": 96,
    "powerUpRate": 0.055,
+   "background": "zuma-background-1",
    "seed": 72271,
    "starScores": [
-    1440,
-    2160,
-    2880
+    1210,
+    1820,
+    2420
    ]
   },
   {
@@ -3022,13 +3031,14 @@
    "colors": 5,
    "quota": 34,
    "introBalls": 10,
-   "pushSpeed": 172,
+   "pushSpeed": 104,
    "powerUpRate": 0.055,
+   "background": "zuma-background-2",
    "seed": 80190,
    "starScores": [
-    1400,
-    2100,
-    2800
+    1170,
+    1760,
+    2340
    ]
   },
   {
@@ -3238,13 +3248,14 @@
    "colors": 5,
    "quota": 42,
    "introBalls": 12,
-   "pushSpeed": 172,
+   "pushSpeed": 104,
    "powerUpRate": 0.05,
+   "background": "zuma-background-1",
    "seed": 88109,
    "starScores": [
-    1730,
-    2600,
-    3460
+    1450,
+    2170,
+    2890
    ]
   },
   {
@@ -3465,13 +3476,14 @@
    "colors": 5,
    "quota": 38,
    "introBalls": 11,
-   "pushSpeed": 180,
+   "pushSpeed": 108,
    "powerUpRate": 0.05,
+   "background": "zuma-background-2",
    "seed": 96028,
    "starScores": [
-    1600,
-    2390,
-    3190
+    1320,
+    1980,
+    2640
    ]
   },
   {
@@ -3824,13 +3836,14 @@
    "colors": 5,
    "quota": 34,
    "introBalls": 10,
-   "pushSpeed": 192,
+   "pushSpeed": 116,
    "powerUpRate": 0.05,
+   "background": "zuma-background-1",
    "seed": 103947,
    "starScores": [
-    1470,
-    2210,
-    2940
+    1210,
+    1820,
+    2420
    ]
   },
   {
@@ -4044,13 +4057,14 @@
    "colors": 5,
    "quota": 46,
    "introBalls": 13,
-   "pushSpeed": 192,
+   "pushSpeed": 116,
    "powerUpRate": 0.05,
+   "background": "zuma-background-2",
    "seed": 111866,
    "starScores": [
-    1990,
-    2980,
-    3970
+    1640,
+    2460,
+    3280
    ]
   },
   {
@@ -4199,13 +4213,14 @@
    "colors": 6,
    "quota": 32,
    "introBalls": 9,
-   "pushSpeed": 204,
+   "pushSpeed": 124,
    "powerUpRate": 0.05,
+   "background": "zuma-background-1",
    "seed": 119785,
    "starScores": [
-    1420,
-    2130,
-    2840
+    1170,
+    1750,
+    2330
    ]
   },
   {
@@ -4599,13 +4614,14 @@
    "colors": 6,
    "quota": 38,
    "introBalls": 11,
-   "pushSpeed": 212,
+   "pushSpeed": 128,
    "powerUpRate": 0.05,
+   "background": "zuma-background-2",
    "seed": 127704,
    "starScores": [
-    1720,
-    2580,
-    3440
+    1400,
+    2100,
+    2800
    ]
   },
   {
@@ -4958,13 +4974,14 @@
    "colors": 6,
    "quota": 34,
    "introBalls": 10,
-   "pushSpeed": 200,
+   "pushSpeed": 120,
    "powerUpRate": 0.045,
+   "background": "zuma-background-1",
    "seed": 135623,
    "starScores": [
-    1500,
-    2240,
-    2990
+    1230,
+    1840,
+    2450
    ]
   },
   {
@@ -5185,13 +5202,14 @@
    "colors": 6,
    "quota": 40,
    "introBalls": 11,
-   "pushSpeed": 200,
+   "pushSpeed": 120,
    "powerUpRate": 0.045,
+   "background": "zuma-background-2",
    "seed": 143542,
    "starScores": [
-    1760,
-    2640,
-    3520
+    1440,
+    2160,
+    2880
    ]
   },
   {
@@ -5396,13 +5414,14 @@
    "colors": 6,
    "quota": 50,
    "introBalls": 14,
-   "pushSpeed": 244,
+   "pushSpeed": 148,
    "powerUpRate": 0.045,
+   "background": "zuma-background-1",
    "seed": 151461,
    "starScores": [
-    2420,
-    3630,
-    4840
+    1940,
+    2910,
+    3880
    ]
   },
   {
@@ -5607,13 +5626,14 @@
    "colors": 6,
    "quota": 52,
    "introBalls": 14,
-   "pushSpeed": 256,
+   "pushSpeed": 152,
    "powerUpRate": 0.045,
+   "background": "zuma-background-2",
    "seed": 159380,
    "starScores": [
-    2580,
-    3870,
-    5160
+    2040,
+    3060,
+    4080
    ]
   }
  ]
diff --git a/src/data/assetManifest.js b/src/data/assetManifest.js
index 65270b9..e037b8c 100644
--- a/src/data/assetManifest.js
+++ b/src/data/assetManifest.js
@@ -315,6 +315,10 @@ export const MANIFEST = {
   ],
   zuma: [
     image('zuma-menu-bg', 'assets/images/zuma/background-menu.png'),
+    // In-level backgrounds, alternated per level by ZumaLogic's `background`
+    // field (see tools/genZuma.js) — more can be dropped in later.
+    image('zuma-background-1', 'assets/images/zuma/background-01.png'),
+    image('zuma-background-2', 'assets/images/zuma/background-02.png'),
     // frame 0 = the whole stone frog, frame 1 = the same disc with the mouth
     // slot cut out; the ready marble is drawn between them.
     sheet('zuma-frog', 'assets/images/zuma/frog.png', 200, 200),
@@ -328,6 +332,7 @@ export const MANIFEST = {
     { type: 'audio', key: 'sfx-zuma-start', path: 'assets/fx/zuma-start.mp3' },
     { type: 'audio', key: 'sfx-zuma-explode', path: 'assets/fx/zuma-explode.mp3' },
     { type: 'audio', key: 'sfx-zuma-win', path: 'assets/fx/zuma-win.mp3' },
+    { type: 'audio', key: 'sfx-zuma-lose', path: 'assets/fx/zuma-lose.mp3' },
   ],
   '2048': [
     // hacker soundtrack (see services/soundtrack.js) — lazy-loaded here so
diff --git a/src/games/zuma/ZumaGame.js b/src/games/zuma/ZumaGame.js
index 0a9402d..8b6a2fa 100644
--- a/src/games/zuma/ZumaGame.js
+++ b/src/games/zuma/ZumaGame.js
@@ -561,6 +561,7 @@ export default class ZumaGame extends Phaser.Scene {
     this.aimAngle = -Math.PI / 2;
 
     this.clearLayer();
+    this.drawBackground();
     this.drawPath();
     this.drawPortals();
     this.drawPit();
@@ -587,6 +588,26 @@ export default class ZumaGame extends Phaser.Scene {
     sfx.play();
   }
 
+  // Same duck/play/resume trick as playStartFanfare(), for the chain going
+  // over the edge instead of clearing the level.
+  playLoseFanfare() {
+    this.music?.pause();
+    const sfx = this.sound.add('sfx-zuma-lose');
+    sfx.once(Phaser.Sound.Events.COMPLETE, () => this.music?.resume());
+    sfx.play();
+  }
+
+  // Per-level art (def.background, see tools/genZuma.js) over the solid BG
+  // rectangle laid down once in create() — that rectangle is the fallback for
+  // any level whose background key isn't painted yet.
+  drawBackground() {
+    const key = this.levelDef.background;
+    if (!key || !this.textures.exists(key)) return;
+    const img = this.add.image(GAME_WIDTH / 2, GAME_HEIGHT / 2, key)
+      .setDisplaySize(GAME_WIDTH, GAME_HEIGHT).setDepth(D.bg);
+    this.layer.add(img);
+  }
+
   drawPath() {
     const path = this.state.path;
     const tunnels = this.state.tunnels;
@@ -1050,7 +1071,7 @@ export default class ZumaGame extends Phaser.Scene {
 
   onLost() {
     this.overlayUp = true;
-    playSound(this, SFX.CASINO_LOSE);
+    this.playLoseFanfare();
     this.laserGfx?.clear();
 
     if (!this.testLevel) {
@@ -1160,6 +1181,7 @@ export default class ZumaGame extends Phaser.Scene {
     const cx = GAME_WIDTH / 2, cy = GAME_HEIGHT / 2;
     const banner = this.add.text(cx, cy - 60, 'ZUMA!', {
       fontFamily: 'Righteous', fontSize: '140px', color: COLORS.goldHex,
+      stroke: '#000000', strokeThickness: 8,
     }).setOrigin(0.5).setScale(0.2).setDepth(D.fx);
     this.layer.add(banner);
     this.tweens.add({ targets: banner, scale: 1, duration: 450, ease: 'Back.easeOut' });
diff --git a/tools/genZuma.js b/tools/genZuma.js
index c70e6e6..cc533c1 100644
--- a/tools/genZuma.js
+++ b/tools/genZuma.js
@@ -178,28 +178,31 @@ const SHAPES = { sCurve, horseshoe, spiral, zigzag, doubleLoop, figureEight };
 // never on zigzag (already only ~57% shootable), and never long enough that the
 // frog runs out of targets while it waits for the chain to surface.
 
+// pushSpeed values are ~60% of their original tuning (a 2026-07-28 across-the-
+// board slowdown) — starScores() derives its thresholds from pushSpeed, so
+// star bands shifted down with it automatically on regen.
 const TABLE = [
   // level, name,              shape,         colors, quota, intro, push, powerUpRate, tunnels
-  [1,  'Riverbend',       'sCurve',      4, 22,  7, 100, 0.07],
-  [2,  'Temple Gate',     'horseshoe',   4, 26,  8, 128, 0.07],
-  [3,  'Twin Pools',      'doubleLoop',  4, 30,  9, 140, 0.065],
-  [4,  'Switchbacks',     'zigzag',      4, 32, 10, 140, 0.065],
-  [5,  'Serpent Coil',    'spiral',      4, 38, 11, 148, 0.06,  [[0.36, 0.45]]],
-  [6,  'Crossroads',      'figureEight', 4, 34, 10, 148, 0.06],
-  [7,  'Rapids',          'sCurve',      4, 26,  8, 180, 0.06],
-  [8,  'Sun Court',       'horseshoe',   5, 30,  9, 160, 0.055, [[0.34, 0.44]]],
-  [9,  'Thunder Steps',   'zigzag',      5, 36, 11, 160, 0.055],
-  [10, 'Twin Serpents',   'doubleLoop',  5, 34, 10, 172, 0.055, [[0.40, 0.50]]],
-  [11, 'Deep Coil',       'spiral',      5, 42, 12, 172, 0.05,  [[0.30, 0.40]]],
-  [12, 'Tangled Path',    'figureEight', 5, 38, 11, 180, 0.05],
-  [13, 'Lightning Run',   'zigzag',      5, 34, 10, 192, 0.05],
-  [14, 'Whirlpool',       'spiral',      5, 46, 13, 192, 0.05,  [[0.26, 0.36], [0.60, 0.70]]],
-  [15, 'Obsidian Gate',   'horseshoe',   6, 32,  9, 204, 0.05],
-  [16, 'Twin Tempests',   'doubleLoop',  6, 38, 11, 212, 0.05,  [[0.38, 0.46]]],
-  [17, 'Stormsteps',      'zigzag',      6, 34, 10, 200, 0.045],
-  [18, 'Maelstrom Cross', 'figureEight', 6, 40, 11, 200, 0.045],
-  [19, 'Abyss Coil',      'spiral',      6, 50, 14, 244, 0.045],
-  [20, 'The Final Coil',  'spiral',      6, 52, 14, 256, 0.045],
+  [1,  'Riverbend',       'sCurve',      4, 22,  7, 60, 0.07],
+  [2,  'Temple Gate',     'horseshoe',   4, 26,  8, 76, 0.07],
+  [3,  'Twin Pools',      'doubleLoop',  4, 30,  9, 84, 0.065],
+  [4,  'Switchbacks',     'zigzag',      4, 32, 10, 84, 0.065],
+  [5,  'Serpent Coil',    'spiral',      4, 38, 11, 88, 0.06,  [[0.36, 0.45]]],
+  [6,  'Crossroads',      'figureEight', 4, 34, 10, 88, 0.06],
+  [7,  'Rapids',          'sCurve',      4, 26,  8, 108, 0.06],
+  [8,  'Sun Court',       'horseshoe',   5, 30,  9, 96, 0.055, [[0.34, 0.44]]],
+  [9,  'Thunder Steps',   'zigzag',      5, 36, 11, 96, 0.055],
+  [10, 'Twin Serpents',   'doubleLoop',  5, 34, 10, 104, 0.055, [[0.40, 0.50]]],
+  [11, 'Deep Coil',       'spiral',      5, 42, 12, 104, 0.05,  [[0.30, 0.40]]],
+  [12, 'Tangled Path',    'figureEight', 5, 38, 11, 108, 0.05],
+  [13, 'Lightning Run',   'zigzag',      5, 34, 10, 116, 0.05],
+  [14, 'Whirlpool',       'spiral',      5, 46, 13, 116, 0.05,  [[0.26, 0.36], [0.60, 0.70]]],
+  [15, 'Obsidian Gate',   'horseshoe',   6, 32,  9, 124, 0.05],
+  [16, 'Twin Tempests',   'doubleLoop',  6, 38, 11, 128, 0.05,  [[0.38, 0.46]]],
+  [17, 'Stormsteps',      'zigzag',      6, 34, 10, 120, 0.045],
+  [18, 'Maelstrom Cross', 'figureEight', 6, 40, 11, 120, 0.045],
+  [19, 'Abyss Coil',      'spiral',      6, 50, 14, 148, 0.045],
+  [20, 'The Final Coil',  'spiral',      6, 52, 14, 152, 0.045],
 ];
 
 // Calibrated against the headless aimbot in verifyZuma.js, which takes the best
@@ -214,6 +217,10 @@ function starScores(quota, pushSpeed) {
 
 // ── Build & write ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
+// In-level background art (see data/assetManifest.js), alternated one per
+// level while there are only two — drop more keys in here as they're painted.
+const BACKGROUNDS = ['zuma-background-1', 'zuma-background-2'];
+
 const levels = [];
 let bad = 0;
 for (const [level, name, shape, colors, quota, introBalls, pushSpeed, powerUpRate, tunFrac] of TABLE) {
@@ -222,6 +229,7 @@ for (const [level, name, shape, colors, quota, introBalls, pushSpeed, powerUpRat
   const tunnels = (tunFrac ?? []).map(([a, b]) => [Math.round(len * a), Math.round(len * b)]);
   const def = {
     level, name, shape, points, frog, tunnels, colors, quota, introBalls, pushSpeed, powerUpRate,
+    background: BACKGROUNDS[(level - 1) % BACKGROUNDS.length],
     seed: 1000 + level * 7919,
     starScores: starScores(quota, pushSpeed),
   };