diff --git a/assets/cube.json b/assets/cube.json
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d6534384
--- /dev/null
+++ b/assets/cube.json
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+{
+  "components": {
+    "position": {
+      "position": [0.0, 0.0, 0.0],
+      "rotation": [0.0, 0.0, 0.0],
+      "scale": [1.0, 1.0, 1.0]
+    },
+    "renderable": {
+      "type": "shader_material",
+      "priority": 0,
+      "shaderType": 1,
+      "stateFlags": 2
+    }
+  }
+}
diff --git a/assets/entity.json b/assets/entity.json
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..fc08bc9c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/assets/entity.json
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+{
+  "components": {
+    "position": {
+      "position": [0.0, 0.0, 0.0],
+      "rotation": [0.0, 0.0, 0.0],
+      "scale": [1.0, 1.0, 1.0]
+    },
+    "camera": {
+      "projType": "perspective",
+      "nearClip": 0.1,
+      "farClip": 5000.0,
+      "fov": 45.0
+    },
+    "renderable": {
+      "type": "shader_material",
+      "priority": 0,
+      "shaderType": 1,
+      "stateFlags": 2
+    },
+    "physics": {
+      "bodyType": "dynamic",
+      "shapeType": "cube",
+      "halfExtents": [0.5, 0.5, 0.5],
+      "velocity": [0.0, 0.0, 0.0],
+      "gravityScale": 1.0
+    },
+    "trigger": {
+      "min": [-0.5, -0.5, -0.5],
+      "max": [0.5, 0.5, 0.5]
+    }
+  }
+}
diff --git a/cmake/targets/linux.cmake b/cmake/targets/linux.cmake
index a6242fb7..eb930f86 100644
--- a/cmake/targets/linux.cmake
+++ b/cmake/targets/linux.cmake
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 # Find link platform-specific libraries
 find_package(SDL2 REQUIRED)
 find_package(OpenGL REQUIRED)
+find_package(LIBZIP REQUIRED)
 # find_package(CURL REQUIRED)
 
 # Setup endianess at compile time to optimize.
@@ -23,6 +24,7 @@ target_link_libraries(${DUSK_LIBRARY_TARGET_NAME} PUBLIC
   OpenGL::GL
   GL
   m
+  libzip::zip
   # CURL::libcurl
 )
 
diff --git a/src/dusk/CMakeLists.txt b/src/dusk/CMakeLists.txt
index 52221cc1..6ab0c549 100644
--- a/src/dusk/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/src/dusk/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -56,4 +56,6 @@ add_subdirectory(network)
 add_subdirectory(overworld)
 add_subdirectory(save)
 add_subdirectory(util)
-add_subdirectory(thread)
\ No newline at end of file
+add_subdirectory(thread)
+add_subdirectory(asset)
+add_subdirectory(scene)
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/dusk/asset/CMakeLists.txt b/src/dusk/asset/CMakeLists.txt
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..79180ae2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/dusk/asset/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+# Copyright (c) 2026 Dominic Masters
+#
+# This software is released under the MIT License.
+# https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT
+
+target_sources(${DUSK_LIBRARY_TARGET_NAME}
+  PUBLIC
+    asset.c
+)
+
+add_subdirectory(loader)
diff --git a/src/dusk/asset/asset.c b/src/dusk/asset/asset.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a9e4d897
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/dusk/asset/asset.c
@@ -0,0 +1,202 @@
+/**
+ * Copyright (c) 2026 Dominic Masters
+ *
+ * This software is released under the MIT License.
+ * https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT
+ */
+
+#include "asset.h"
+#include "util/memory.h"
+#include "assert/assert.h"
+
+assetmanager_t ASSET_MANAGER;
+
+errorret_t assetInit(void) {
+  assertIsMainThread("assetInit must be on main thread");
+  memoryZero(&ASSET_MANAGER, sizeof(assetmanager_t));
+
+  int_t zipErr = 0;
+  ASSET_MANAGER.archive = zip_open(
+    ASSET_FILE_NAME, ZIP_RDONLY, &zipErr
+  );
+  if(!ASSET_MANAGER.archive) {
+    errorThrow(
+      "Failed to open %s: error %d", ASSET_FILE_NAME, zipErr
+    );
+  }
+
+  threadMutexInit(&ASSET_MANAGER.mutex);
+  threadInit(&ASSET_MANAGER.loaderThread, assetLoaderThread);
+  threadStart(&ASSET_MANAGER.loaderThread);
+
+  errorOk();
+}
+
+void assetUpdate(void) {
+  assertIsMainThread("assetUpdate must be on main thread");
+  threadMutexLock(&ASSET_MANAGER.mutex);
+  for(uint8_t i = 0; i < ASSET_ENTRY_COUNT_MAX; i++) {
+    assetentry_t *e = &ASSET_MANAGER.entries[i];
+    if(e->state != ASSET_ENTRY_STATE_SYNC_PENDING) continue;
+    if(ASSET_LOADER_CALLBACKS[e->type].loadSync) {
+      threadMutexUnlock(&ASSET_MANAGER.mutex);
+      ASSET_LOADER_CALLBACKS[e->type].loadSync(e);
+      threadMutexLock(&ASSET_MANAGER.mutex);
+    }
+    if(e->state == ASSET_ENTRY_STATE_SYNC_PENDING) {
+      e->state = ASSET_ENTRY_STATE_LOADED;
+    }
+    threadMutexSignal(&ASSET_MANAGER.mutex);
+  }
+  threadMutexUnlock(&ASSET_MANAGER.mutex);
+}
+
+errorret_t assetDispose(void) {
+  assertIsMainThread("assetDispose must be on main thread");
+
+  threadStopRequest(&ASSET_MANAGER.loaderThread);
+  threadMutexLock(&ASSET_MANAGER.mutex);
+  threadMutexSignal(&ASSET_MANAGER.mutex);
+  threadMutexUnlock(&ASSET_MANAGER.mutex);
+  threadStop(&ASSET_MANAGER.loaderThread);
+
+  for(uint8_t i = 0; i < ASSET_ENTRY_COUNT_MAX; i++) {
+    assetentry_t *e = &ASSET_MANAGER.entries[i];
+    if(e->state == ASSET_ENTRY_STATE_IDLE) continue;
+    if(!ASSET_LOADER_CALLBACKS[e->type].dispose) continue;
+    ASSET_LOADER_CALLBACKS[e->type].dispose(e);
+  }
+
+  if(ASSET_MANAGER.archive) {
+    zip_close(ASSET_MANAGER.archive);
+    ASSET_MANAGER.archive = NULL;
+  }
+
+  threadMutexDispose(&ASSET_MANAGER.mutex);
+
+  errorOk();
+}
+
+assetentry_t *assetGetEntry(
+  const char_t *path,
+  const assetloadertype_t type,
+  const assetloaderinput_t *input
+) {
+  assertNotNull(path, "Path cannot be null");
+
+  threadMutexLock(&ASSET_MANAGER.mutex);
+
+  for(uint8_t i = 0; i < ASSET_ENTRY_COUNT_MAX; i++) {
+    assetentry_t *e = &ASSET_MANAGER.entries[i];
+    if(e->state == ASSET_ENTRY_STATE_IDLE) continue;
+    if(e->type != type) continue;
+    if(strncmp(e->path, path, ASSET_PATH_MAX) != 0) continue;
+    threadMutexUnlock(&ASSET_MANAGER.mutex);
+    return e;
+  }
+
+  assetentry_t *entry = NULL;
+  for(uint8_t i = 0; i < ASSET_ENTRY_COUNT_MAX; i++) {
+    if(ASSET_MANAGER.entries[i].state != ASSET_ENTRY_STATE_IDLE) {
+      continue;
+    }
+    entry = &ASSET_MANAGER.entries[i];
+    break;
+  }
+
+  if(!entry) {
+    threadMutexUnlock(&ASSET_MANAGER.mutex);
+    return NULL;
+  }
+
+  memoryZero(entry, sizeof(assetentry_t));
+  strncpy(entry->path, path, ASSET_PATH_MAX - 1);
+  entry->path[ASSET_PATH_MAX - 1] = '\0';
+  entry->type = type;
+  if(input) entry->input = *input;
+  entry->state = ASSET_ENTRY_STATE_QUEUED;
+
+  threadMutexSignal(&ASSET_MANAGER.mutex);
+  threadMutexUnlock(&ASSET_MANAGER.mutex);
+  return entry;
+}
+
+errorret_t assetRequireLoaded(assetentry_t *entry) {
+  assertIsMainThread("assetRequireLoaded must be on main thread");
+  assertNotNull(entry, "Entry cannot be null");
+
+  threadMutexLock(&ASSET_MANAGER.mutex);
+  while(
+    entry->state != ASSET_ENTRY_STATE_LOADED &&
+    entry->state != ASSET_ENTRY_STATE_ERROR
+  ) {
+    if(entry->state == ASSET_ENTRY_STATE_SYNC_PENDING) {
+      if(ASSET_LOADER_CALLBACKS[entry->type].loadSync) {
+        threadMutexUnlock(&ASSET_MANAGER.mutex);
+        ASSET_LOADER_CALLBACKS[entry->type].loadSync(entry);
+        threadMutexLock(&ASSET_MANAGER.mutex);
+      }
+      if(entry->state == ASSET_ENTRY_STATE_SYNC_PENDING) {
+        entry->state = ASSET_ENTRY_STATE_LOADED;
+      }
+      threadMutexSignal(&ASSET_MANAGER.mutex);
+      break;
+    }
+    threadMutexWaitLock(&ASSET_MANAGER.mutex);
+  }
+  bool_t ok = (entry->state == ASSET_ENTRY_STATE_LOADED);
+  threadMutexUnlock(&ASSET_MANAGER.mutex);
+
+  if(!ok) errorThrow("Asset failed to load: %s", entry->path);
+  errorOk();
+}
+
+void assetLock(assetentry_t *entry) {
+  assertNotNull(entry, "Entry cannot be null");
+  threadMutexLock(&ASSET_MANAGER.mutex);
+  entry->refCount++;
+  threadMutexUnlock(&ASSET_MANAGER.mutex);
+}
+
+void assetUnlock(assetentry_t *entry) {
+  assertNotNull(entry, "Entry cannot be null");
+  threadMutexLock(&ASSET_MANAGER.mutex);
+  if(entry->refCount > 0) entry->refCount--;
+  threadMutexUnlock(&ASSET_MANAGER.mutex);
+}
+
+void assetLoaderThread(thread_t *thread) {
+  threadMutexLock(&ASSET_MANAGER.mutex);
+  while(!threadShouldStop(thread)) {
+    assetentry_t *entry = NULL;
+    for(uint8_t i = 0; i < ASSET_ENTRY_COUNT_MAX; i++) {
+      assetentry_t *e = &ASSET_MANAGER.entries[i];
+      if(e->state != ASSET_ENTRY_STATE_QUEUED) continue;
+      entry = e;
+      break;
+    }
+
+    if(!entry) {
+      threadMutexWaitLock(&ASSET_MANAGER.mutex);
+      continue;
+    }
+
+    entry->state = ASSET_ENTRY_STATE_READING;
+    threadMutexUnlock(&ASSET_MANAGER.mutex);
+
+    if(ASSET_LOADER_CALLBACKS[entry->type].loadAsync) {
+      ASSET_LOADER_CALLBACKS[entry->type].loadAsync(entry);
+    }
+
+    threadMutexLock(&ASSET_MANAGER.mutex);
+    if(entry->state == ASSET_ENTRY_STATE_READING) {
+      if(ASSET_LOADER_CALLBACKS[entry->type].loadSync) {
+        entry->state = ASSET_ENTRY_STATE_SYNC_PENDING;
+      } else {
+        entry->state = ASSET_ENTRY_STATE_LOADED;
+      }
+    }
+    threadMutexSignal(&ASSET_MANAGER.mutex);
+  }
+  threadMutexUnlock(&ASSET_MANAGER.mutex);
+}
diff --git a/src/dusk/asset/asset.h b/src/dusk/asset/asset.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..918b321b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/dusk/asset/asset.h
@@ -0,0 +1,163 @@
+/**
+ * Copyright (c) 2026 Dominic Masters
+ *
+ * This software is released under the MIT License.
+ * https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT
+ */
+
+#pragma once
+#include "dusk.h"
+#include "error/error.h"
+#include "thread/thread.h"
+#include "thread/threadmutex.h"
+#include <zip.h>
+#include <yyjson.h>
+
+#define ASSET_FILE_NAME "dusk.dsk"
+#define ASSET_PATH_MAX 128
+#define ASSET_ENTRY_COUNT_MAX 128
+#define ASSET_JSON_MAX_SIZE (256 * 1024)
+
+typedef enum {
+  ASSET_LOADER_TYPE_NULL = 0,
+  ASSET_LOADER_TYPE_JSON,
+  ASSET_LOADER_TYPE_COUNT
+} assetloadertype_t;
+
+typedef union {
+  uint8_t _pad;
+} assetloaderinput_t;
+
+typedef union {
+  struct {
+    uint8_t *bytes;
+    size_t size;
+  } raw;
+} assetloaderloading_t;
+
+typedef union {
+  struct {
+    yyjson_doc *doc;
+    yyjson_val *root;
+  } json;
+} assetloaderdata_t;
+
+typedef enum {
+  ASSET_ENTRY_STATE_IDLE = 0,
+  ASSET_ENTRY_STATE_QUEUED,
+  ASSET_ENTRY_STATE_READING,
+  ASSET_ENTRY_STATE_SYNC_PENDING,
+  ASSET_ENTRY_STATE_LOADED,
+  ASSET_ENTRY_STATE_ERROR,
+} assetentrystate_t;
+
+typedef struct {
+  assetentrystate_t state;
+  char_t path[ASSET_PATH_MAX];
+  assetloadertype_t type;
+  assetloaderinput_t input;
+  assetloaderloading_t loading;
+  assetloaderdata_t data;
+  uint8_t refCount;
+} assetentry_t;
+
+typedef struct {
+  void (*loadAsync)(assetentry_t *entry);
+  void (*loadSync)(assetentry_t *entry);
+  void (*dispose)(assetentry_t *entry);
+} assetloadercallbacks_t;
+
+typedef struct {
+  assetentry_t entries[ASSET_ENTRY_COUNT_MAX];
+  zip_t *archive;
+  thread_t loaderThread;
+  threadmutex_t mutex;
+} assetmanager_t;
+
+extern assetmanager_t ASSET_MANAGER;
+extern const assetloadercallbacks_t ASSET_LOADER_CALLBACKS[
+  ASSET_LOADER_TYPE_COUNT
+];
+
+/**
+ * Set entry->state to ERROR and return from a loader callback.
+ * Requires the loader callback parameter to be named `entry`.
+ */
+#define assetLoaderErrorThrow(msg, ...) \
+  do { \
+    entry->state = ASSET_ENTRY_STATE_ERROR; \
+    return; \
+  } while(0)
+
+/**
+ * If retval is an error, set entry->state to ERROR and return.
+ * Requires the loader callback parameter to be named `entry`.
+ */
+#define assetLoaderErrorChain(retval) \
+  do { \
+    errorret_t _alerr = (retval); \
+    if(errorIsNotOk(_alerr)) { \
+      entry->state = ASSET_ENTRY_STATE_ERROR; \
+      errorCatch(_alerr); \
+      return; \
+    } \
+  } while(0)
+
+/**
+ * Initializes the asset manager and opens the asset archive.
+ * @returns errorret_t
+ */
+errorret_t assetInit(void);
+
+/**
+ * Processes sync-pending entries. Call once per frame from the
+ * main thread.
+ */
+void assetUpdate(void);
+
+/**
+ * Stops the loader thread, disposes all entries, and closes the
+ * archive.
+ * @returns errorret_t
+ */
+errorret_t assetDispose(void);
+
+/**
+ * Gets or creates a cached entry for the given path and type.
+ * Signals the loader thread to begin loading.
+ * @param path Asset path within the archive.
+ * @param type Loader type.
+ * @param input Optional per-type config, may be NULL.
+ * @returns Pointer to the entry, or NULL if cache is full.
+ */
+assetentry_t *assetGetEntry(
+  const char_t *path,
+  const assetloadertype_t type,
+  const assetloaderinput_t *input
+);
+
+/**
+ * Blocks until entry is LOADED or ERROR. Runs the sync phase
+ * inline when SYNC_PENDING. Must be called from the main thread.
+ * @param entry The entry to wait for.
+ * @returns errorret_t
+ */
+errorret_t assetRequireLoaded(assetentry_t *entry);
+
+/**
+ * Increments the reference count on an entry.
+ * @param entry The entry to lock.
+ */
+void assetLock(assetentry_t *entry);
+
+/**
+ * Decrements the reference count on an entry.
+ * @param entry The entry to unlock.
+ */
+void assetUnlock(assetentry_t *entry);
+
+/**
+ * Background loader thread callback.
+ * @param thread The running thread.
+ */
+void assetLoaderThread(thread_t *thread);
diff --git a/src/dusk/asset/loader/CMakeLists.txt b/src/dusk/asset/loader/CMakeLists.txt
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..91cb9809
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/dusk/asset/loader/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+# Copyright (c) 2026 Dominic Masters
+#
+# This software is released under the MIT License.
+# https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT
+
+target_sources(${DUSK_LIBRARY_TARGET_NAME}
+  PUBLIC
+    assetloader.c
+)
+
+add_subdirectory(json)
diff --git a/src/dusk/asset/loader/assetloader.c b/src/dusk/asset/loader/assetloader.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b67f5b8d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/dusk/asset/loader/assetloader.c
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+/**
+ * Copyright (c) 2026 Dominic Masters
+ *
+ * This software is released under the MIT License.
+ * https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT
+ */
+
+#include "asset/asset.h"
+#include "asset/loader/json/assetjsonloader.h"
+
+const assetloadercallbacks_t ASSET_LOADER_CALLBACKS[
+  ASSET_LOADER_TYPE_COUNT
+] = {
+  [ASSET_LOADER_TYPE_JSON] = {
+    .loadAsync = assetJsonLoaderAsync,
+    .loadSync = NULL,
+    .dispose = assetJsonLoaderDispose
+  },
+};
diff --git a/src/dusk/asset/loader/json/CMakeLists.txt b/src/dusk/asset/loader/json/CMakeLists.txt
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..0226418c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/dusk/asset/loader/json/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+# Copyright (c) 2026 Dominic Masters
+#
+# This software is released under the MIT License.
+# https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT
+
+target_sources(${DUSK_LIBRARY_TARGET_NAME}
+  PUBLIC
+    assetjsonloader.c
+)
diff --git a/src/dusk/asset/loader/json/assetjsonloader.c b/src/dusk/asset/loader/json/assetjsonloader.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c4275183
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/dusk/asset/loader/json/assetjsonloader.c
@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+/**
+ * Copyright (c) 2026 Dominic Masters
+ *
+ * This software is released under the MIT License.
+ * https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT
+ */
+
+#include "assetjsonloader.h"
+#include "util/memory.h"
+
+void assetJsonLoaderAsync(assetentry_t *entry) {
+  zip_int64_t idx = zip_name_locate(
+    ASSET_MANAGER.archive, entry->path, 0
+  );
+  if(idx < 0) {
+    assetLoaderErrorThrow("JSON not found: %s", entry->path);
+  }
+
+  zip_stat_t stat;
+  memoryZero(&stat, sizeof(zip_stat_t));
+  zip_stat_index(
+    ASSET_MANAGER.archive, (zip_uint64_t)idx, 0, &stat
+  );
+
+  if(!(stat.valid & ZIP_STAT_SIZE)) {
+    assetLoaderErrorThrow("Cannot stat JSON: %s", entry->path);
+  }
+
+  if(stat.size > ASSET_JSON_MAX_SIZE) {
+    assetLoaderErrorThrow("JSON too large: %s", entry->path);
+  }
+
+  size_t size = (size_t)stat.size;
+  uint8_t *buf = (uint8_t *)memoryAllocate(size + 1);
+
+  zip_file_t *zf = zip_fopen_index(
+    ASSET_MANAGER.archive, (zip_uint64_t)idx, 0
+  );
+  if(!zf) {
+    memoryFree(buf);
+    assetLoaderErrorThrow(
+      "Failed to open ZIP entry: %s", entry->path
+    );
+  }
+
+  zip_fread(zf, buf, size);
+  zip_fclose(zf);
+  buf[size] = '\0';
+
+  entry->data.json.doc = yyjson_read(
+    (const char_t *)buf, size, 0
+  );
+  memoryFree(buf);
+
+  if(!entry->data.json.doc) {
+    assetLoaderErrorThrow("Failed to parse JSON: %s", entry->path);
+  }
+
+  entry->data.json.root = yyjson_doc_get_root(
+    entry->data.json.doc
+  );
+}
+
+void assetJsonLoaderDispose(assetentry_t *entry) {
+  if(!entry->data.json.doc) return;
+  yyjson_doc_free(entry->data.json.doc);
+  entry->data.json.doc = NULL;
+  entry->data.json.root = NULL;
+}
diff --git a/src/dusk/asset/loader/json/assetjsonloader.h b/src/dusk/asset/loader/json/assetjsonloader.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..65eed107
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/dusk/asset/loader/json/assetjsonloader.h
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+/**
+ * Copyright (c) 2026 Dominic Masters
+ *
+ * This software is released under the MIT License.
+ * https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT
+ */
+
+#pragma once
+#include "asset/asset.h"
+
+/**
+ * Async loader callback for JSON assets. Opens the archive entry,
+ * reads bytes, and parses with yyjson. Sets entry->data.json.doc
+ * and entry->data.json.root on success.
+ * @param entry The asset entry to load into.
+ */
+void assetJsonLoaderAsync(assetentry_t *entry);
+
+/**
+ * Dispose callback for JSON asset entries. Frees the yyjson doc.
+ * @param entry The asset entry to dispose.
+ */
+void assetJsonLoaderDispose(assetentry_t *entry);
diff --git a/src/dusk/display/renderpipeline.c b/src/dusk/display/renderpipeline.c
index 006f4be0..be61b136 100644
--- a/src/dusk/display/renderpipeline.c
+++ b/src/dusk/display/renderpipeline.c
@@ -34,7 +34,11 @@ int_t renderPipelineCompare(const void *a, const void *b) {
   assertNotNull(b, "Entry b cannot be null");
   const renderpipelineentry_t *ea = (const renderpipelineentry_t *)a;
   const renderpipelineentry_t *eb = (const renderpipelineentry_t *)b;
-  return (int_t)ea->effectivePriority - (int_t)eb->effectivePriority;
+  int_t pri = (int_t)ea->effectivePriority - (int_t)eb->effectivePriority;
+  if(pri != 0) return pri;
+  int_t aHasPos = (ea->posComp != COMPONENT_ID_INVALID) ? 1 : 0;
+  int_t bHasPos = (eb->posComp != COMPONENT_ID_INVALID) ? 1 : 0;
+  return aHasPos - bHasPos;
 }
 
 shader_t *renderPipelineGetShader(const entityrenderable_t *r) {
@@ -69,6 +73,9 @@ errorret_t renderPipeline(const entityid_t cameraId) {
     );
     pipeline[i].entityId = entities[i];
     pipeline[i].componentId = components[i];
+    pipeline[i].posComp = entityGetComponent(
+      entities[i], COMPONENT_TYPE_POSITION
+    );
     pipeline[i].effectivePriority = renderPipelineGetPriority(r);
   }
   sort(
@@ -104,24 +111,30 @@ errorret_t renderPipeline(const entityid_t cameraId) {
     errorChain(shaderSetMatrix(s, SHADER_UNLIT_PROJECTION, proj));
   }
 
+  shader_t *prevShader = NULL;
+  bool_t prevNoPos = false;
   for(entityid_t i = 0; i < entCount; i++) {
     entityid_t eid = pipeline[i].entityId;
     componentid_t cid = pipeline[i].componentId;
+    componentid_t posComp = pipeline[i].posComp;
 
     entityrenderable_t *r = componentGetData(
       eid, cid, COMPONENT_TYPE_RENDERABLE
     );
     shader_t *s = renderPipelineGetShader(r);
+    errorChain(shaderBind(s));
 
-    componentid_t posComp = entityGetComponent(eid, COMPONENT_TYPE_POSITION);
     if(posComp == COMPONENT_ID_INVALID) {
-      errorChain(shaderBind(s));
-      errorChain(shaderSetMatrix(s, SHADER_UNLIT_MODEL, ident));
+      if(!prevNoPos || s != prevShader) {
+        errorChain(shaderSetMatrix(s, SHADER_UNLIT_MODEL, ident));
+      }
+      prevNoPos = true;
     } else {
       entityPositionGetTransform(eid, posComp, model);
-      errorChain(shaderBind(s));
       errorChain(shaderSetMatrix(s, SHADER_UNLIT_MODEL, model));
+      prevNoPos = false;
     }
+    prevShader = s;
 
     errorChain(entityRenderableDraw(eid, cid));
   }
diff --git a/src/dusk/display/renderpipeline.h b/src/dusk/display/renderpipeline.h
index 7e85fc7f..a384547c 100644
--- a/src/dusk/display/renderpipeline.h
+++ b/src/dusk/display/renderpipeline.h
@@ -14,6 +14,11 @@
 typedef struct {
   entityid_t entityId;
   componentid_t componentId;
+  /**
+   * Precomputed position component ID, or COMPONENT_ID_INVALID if the entity
+   * has no position. Used for secondary sort and model-matrix batching.
+   */
+  componentid_t posComp;
   int8_t effectivePriority;
 } renderpipelineentry_t;
 
@@ -29,8 +34,11 @@ typedef struct {
 int8_t renderPipelineGetPriority(const entityrenderable_t *r);
 
 /**
- * sortcompare_t comparator for renderpipelineentry_t. Compares by
- * effectivePriority ascending so lower-priority entries sort first.
+ * sortcompare_t comparator for renderpipelineentry_t. Primary sort by
+ * effectivePriority ascending. Secondary sort: entries with no position
+ * component (posComp == COMPONENT_ID_INVALID) sort before entries with a
+ * position component, grouping them to reduce redundant identity matrix
+ * uploads.
  *
  * @param a Pointer to the first renderpipelineentry_t.
  * @param b Pointer to the second renderpipelineentry_t.
diff --git a/src/dusk/engine/engine.c b/src/dusk/engine/engine.c
index 00622171..9e2d6aa6 100644
--- a/src/dusk/engine/engine.c
+++ b/src/dusk/engine/engine.c
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 #include "ui/ui.h"
 #include "ui/uitextbox.h"
 #include "assert/assert.h"
+#include "asset/asset.h"
 #include "entity/entitymanager.h"
 #include "entity/component/physics/entityphysics.h"
 #include "physics/physicsmanager.h"
@@ -22,6 +23,7 @@
 #include "console/console.h"
 #include "item/backpack.h"
 #include "save/save.h"
+#include "scene/scene/initial/initialscene.h"
 
 engine_t ENGINE;
 
@@ -39,6 +41,7 @@ errorret_t engineInit(const int32_t argc, const char_t **argv) {
   consoleInit();
   errorChain(inputInit());
   // errorChain(saveInit());
+  errorChain(assetInit());
   errorChain(localeManagerInit());
   errorChain(displayInit());
   errorChain(uiInit());
@@ -46,6 +49,7 @@ errorret_t engineInit(const int32_t argc, const char_t **argv) {
   entityManagerInit();
   backpackInit();
   physicsManagerInit();
+  errorChain(initialSceneInit());
   errorChain(networkInit());
 
   consolePrint("Engine initialized");
@@ -55,6 +59,7 @@ errorret_t engineInit(const int32_t argc, const char_t **argv) {
 
 errorret_t engineUpdate(void) {
   // Order here is important.
+  assetUpdate();
   errorChain(networkUpdate());
   timeUpdate();
   inputUpdate();
@@ -82,6 +87,7 @@ errorret_t engineDispose(void) {
   consoleDispose();
   errorChain(displayDispose());
   // errorChain(saveDispose());
+  errorChain(assetDispose());
 
   errorOk();
 }
diff --git a/src/dusk/entity/CMakeLists.txt b/src/dusk/entity/CMakeLists.txt
index 150936ec..b5c01e66 100644
--- a/src/dusk/entity/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/src/dusk/entity/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ target_sources(${DUSK_LIBRARY_TARGET_NAME}
     entity.c
     entitymanager.c
     component.c
+    entityjson.c
 )
 
 # Subdirs
diff --git a/src/dusk/entity/entityjson.c b/src/dusk/entity/entityjson.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ba9c21ca
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/dusk/entity/entityjson.c
@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+/**
+ * Copyright (c) 2026 Dominic Masters
+ *
+ * This software is released under the MIT License.
+ * https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT
+ */
+
+#include "entityjson.h"
+#include "entity/entitymanager.h"
+#include "entity/entity.h"
+#include "entity/component.h"
+#include "assert/assert.h"
+
+void entitySerialize(
+  const entityid_t entityId,
+  yyjson_mut_doc *doc,
+  yyjson_mut_val *obj
+) {
+  assertNotNull(doc, "JSON doc cannot be null");
+  assertNotNull(obj, "JSON obj cannot be null");
+  assertTrue(entityId < ENTITY_COUNT_MAX, "Entity ID OOB");
+
+  yyjson_mut_val *comps = yyjson_mut_obj(doc);
+  yyjson_mut_obj_add_val(doc, obj, "components", comps);
+
+  for(componentid_t cid = 0; cid < ENTITY_COMPONENT_COUNT_MAX; cid++) {
+    componentindex_t idx = componentGetIndex(entityId, cid);
+    component_t *cmp = &ENTITY_MANAGER.components[idx];
+    if(cmp->type == COMPONENT_TYPE_NULL) continue;
+    if(!COMPONENT_DEFINITIONS[cmp->type].serialize) continue;
+
+    const char_t *name = COMPONENT_DEFINITIONS[cmp->type].name;
+    yyjson_mut_val *compObj = yyjson_mut_obj(doc);
+    COMPONENT_DEFINITIONS[cmp->type].serialize(
+      entityId, cid, doc, compObj
+    );
+    yyjson_mut_obj_add_val(doc, comps, name, compObj);
+  }
+}
+
+errorret_t entityDeserialize(
+  const entityid_t entityId,
+  yyjson_val *obj
+) {
+  assertTrue(entityId < ENTITY_COUNT_MAX, "Entity ID OOB");
+  assertNotNull(obj, "JSON obj cannot be null");
+
+  yyjson_val *comps = yyjson_obj_get(obj, "components");
+  if(!comps || !yyjson_is_obj(comps)) errorOk();
+
+  for(componenttype_t t = 1; t < COMPONENT_TYPE_COUNT; t++) {
+    const char_t *name = COMPONENT_DEFINITIONS[t].name;
+    if(!name) continue;
+    yyjson_val *compObj = yyjson_obj_get(comps, name);
+    if(!compObj) continue;
+    componentid_t cid = entityAddComponent(entityId, t);
+    errorChain(componentDeserialize(entityId, cid, compObj));
+  }
+  errorOk();
+}
diff --git a/src/dusk/entity/entityjson.h b/src/dusk/entity/entityjson.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..525f59fd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/dusk/entity/entityjson.h
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+/**
+ * Copyright (c) 2026 Dominic Masters
+ *
+ * This software is released under the MIT License.
+ * https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT
+ */
+
+#pragma once
+#include "entity/entitybase.h"
+#include "error/error.h"
+#include <yyjson.h>
+
+/**
+ * Serializes all components of an entity into a JSON object. Each
+ * component is written as a nested object under its lowercase name
+ * (e.g. "position", "camera", "renderable"). Components with no
+ * serialize callback are silently skipped.
+ *
+ * @param entityId The entity to serialize.
+ * @param doc The mutable JSON document to allocate values from.
+ * @param obj The JSON object to write into.
+ */
+void entitySerialize(
+  const entityid_t entityId,
+  yyjson_mut_doc *doc,
+  yyjson_mut_val *obj
+);
+
+/**
+ * Deserializes an entity from a JSON object. Reads the "components"
+ * object and, for each recognized component name, adds the component
+ * and deserializes its data. Components present in the JSON but not
+ * in COMPONENT_DEFINITIONS are silently ignored.
+ *
+ * @param entityId The entity to deserialize into (must be initialized).
+ * @param obj The JSON object to read from.
+ * @return Error state.
+ */
+errorret_t entityDeserialize(
+  const entityid_t entityId,
+  yyjson_val *obj
+);
diff --git a/src/dusk/scene/CMakeLists.txt b/src/dusk/scene/CMakeLists.txt
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d8bbb85b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/dusk/scene/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+# Copyright (c) 2026 Dominic Masters
+#
+# This software is released under the MIT License.
+# https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT
+
+add_subdirectory(scene)
diff --git a/src/dusk/scene/scene/CMakeLists.txt b/src/dusk/scene/scene/CMakeLists.txt
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9fcd4d99
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/dusk/scene/scene/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+# Copyright (c) 2026 Dominic Masters
+#
+# This software is released under the MIT License.
+# https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT
+
+add_subdirectory(initial)
diff --git a/src/dusk/scene/scene/initial/CMakeLists.txt b/src/dusk/scene/scene/initial/CMakeLists.txt
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d09cd339
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/dusk/scene/scene/initial/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+# Copyright (c) 2026 Dominic Masters
+#
+# This software is released under the MIT License.
+# https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT
+
+target_sources(${DUSK_LIBRARY_TARGET_NAME}
+  PUBLIC
+    initialscene.c
+)
diff --git a/src/dusk/scene/scene/initial/initialscene.c b/src/dusk/scene/scene/initial/initialscene.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7c78c7ea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/dusk/scene/scene/initial/initialscene.c
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+/**
+ * Copyright (c) 2026 Dominic Masters
+ *
+ * This software is released under the MIT License.
+ * https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT
+ */
+
+#include "initialscene.h"
+#include "asset/asset.h"
+#include "entity/entitymanager.h"
+#include "entity/entity.h"
+#include "entity/entityjson.h"
+#include "entity/component/display/entityposition.h"
+#include "entity/component/display/entitycamera.h"
+
+errorret_t initialSceneInit(void) {
+  entityid_t camId = entityManagerAdd();
+  entityInit(camId);
+  componentid_t camPos = entityAddComponent(
+    camId, COMPONENT_TYPE_POSITION
+  );
+  entityAddComponent(camId, COMPONENT_TYPE_CAMERA);
+
+  vec3 eye = {0.0f, 2.0f, 5.0f};
+  vec3 target = {0.5f, 0.5f, 0.5f};
+  vec3 up = {0.0f, 1.0f, 0.0f};
+  entityPositionLookAt(camId, camPos, eye, target, up);
+
+  assetentry_t *entry = assetGetEntry(
+    "cube.json", ASSET_LOADER_TYPE_JSON, NULL
+  );
+  if(!entry) errorThrow("Failed to get asset entry for cube.json");
+
+  assetLock(entry);
+  errorret_t ret = assetRequireLoaded(entry);
+  if(errorIsOk(ret)) {
+    entityid_t cubeId = entityManagerAdd();
+    entityInit(cubeId);
+    ret = entityDeserialize(cubeId, entry->data.json.root);
+  }
+  assetUnlock(entry);
+  errorChain(ret);
+  errorOk();
+}
diff --git a/src/dusk/scene/scene/initial/initialscene.h b/src/dusk/scene/scene/initial/initialscene.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..edb56b15
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/dusk/scene/scene/initial/initialscene.h
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+/**
+ * Copyright (c) 2026 Dominic Masters
+ *
+ * This software is released under the MIT License.
+ * https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT
+ */
+
+#pragma once
+#include "error/error.h"
+
+/**
+ * Creates the initial test scene: a camera entity built in C and
+ * a cube entity deserialized from cube.json via the asset loader.
+ * @returns errorret_t
+ */
+errorret_t initialSceneInit(void);
diff --git a/test/CMakeLists.txt b/test/CMakeLists.txt
index c172972d..2cf36a1e 100644
--- a/test/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/test/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -10,4 +10,5 @@ add_subdirectory(display)
 # add_subdirectory(rpg)
 # add_subdirectory(item)
 add_subdirectory(time)
-add_subdirectory(util)
\ No newline at end of file
+add_subdirectory(util)
+add_subdirectory(entity)
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/test/entity/CMakeLists.txt b/test/entity/CMakeLists.txt
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..01aad90b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/entity/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+# Copyright (c) 2026 Dominic Masters
+#
+# This software is released under the MIT License.
+# https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT
+
+include(dusktest)
+dusktest(test_entityjson.c)
+target_compile_definitions(test_entityjson PRIVATE
+  DUSK_ENTITY_JSON_PATH="${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/assets/entity.json"
+)
diff --git a/test/entity/test_entityjson.c b/test/entity/test_entityjson.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5df71190
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/entity/test_entityjson.c
@@ -0,0 +1,186 @@
+/**
+ * Copyright (c) 2026 Dominic Masters
+ *
+ * This software is released under the MIT License.
+ * https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT
+ */
+
+#include "dusktest.h"
+#include "entity/entitymanager.h"
+#include "entity/entity.h"
+#include "entity/entityjson.h"
+#include "entity/component.h"
+#include "entity/component/display/entityposition.h"
+#include "entity/component/display/entitycamera.h"
+#include "entity/component/display/entityrenderable.h"
+#include "entity/component/physics/entityphysics.h"
+#include "entity/component/trigger/entitytrigger.h"
+#include "util/memory.h"
+#include "log/log.h"
+#include <yyjson.h>
+
+static void test_entityjson_load(void **state) {
+  yyjson_read_err readErr;
+  yyjson_doc *doc = yyjson_read_file(
+    DUSK_ENTITY_JSON_PATH, 0, NULL, &readErr
+  );
+  assert_non_null(doc);
+
+  yyjson_val *root = yyjson_doc_get_root(doc);
+  assert_non_null(root);
+
+  entityid_t entId = entityManagerAdd();
+  entityInit(entId);
+
+  errorret_t ret = entityDeserialize(entId, root);
+  assert_true(errorIsOk(ret));
+
+  logDebug("Loaded entity from: %s\n", DUSK_ENTITY_JSON_PATH);
+
+  // Position
+  componentid_t posComp = entityGetComponent(entId, COMPONENT_TYPE_POSITION);
+  assert_int_not_equal(posComp, COMPONENT_ID_INVALID);
+  entityposition_t *pos = componentGetData(
+    entId, posComp, COMPONENT_TYPE_POSITION
+  );
+  logDebug("  position:\n");
+  logDebug(
+    "    position: [%f, %f, %f]\n",
+    pos->position[0], pos->position[1], pos->position[2]
+  );
+  logDebug(
+    "    rotation: [%f, %f, %f]\n",
+    pos->rotation[0], pos->rotation[1], pos->rotation[2]
+  );
+  logDebug(
+    "    scale: [%f, %f, %f]\n",
+    pos->scale[0], pos->scale[1], pos->scale[2]
+  );
+  assert_float_equal(pos->position[0], 0.0f, 0.0001f);
+  assert_float_equal(pos->position[1], 0.0f, 0.0001f);
+  assert_float_equal(pos->position[2], 0.0f, 0.0001f);
+  assert_float_equal(pos->scale[0], 1.0f, 0.0001f);
+  assert_float_equal(pos->scale[1], 1.0f, 0.0001f);
+  assert_float_equal(pos->scale[2], 1.0f, 0.0001f);
+
+  // Camera
+  componentid_t camComp = entityGetComponent(entId, COMPONENT_TYPE_CAMERA);
+  assert_int_not_equal(camComp, COMPONENT_ID_INVALID);
+  entitycamera_t *cam = componentGetData(
+    entId, camComp, COMPONENT_TYPE_CAMERA
+  );
+  const char_t *projStr = "orthographic";
+  if(cam->projType == ENTITY_CAMERA_PROJECTION_TYPE_PERSPECTIVE) {
+    projStr = "perspective";
+  } else if(cam->projType == ENTITY_CAMERA_PROJECTION_TYPE_PERSPECTIVE_FLIPPED) {
+    projStr = "perspective_flipped";
+  }
+  logDebug("  camera:\n");
+  logDebug("    projType: %s\n", projStr);
+  logDebug("    fov: %f\n", cam->perspective.fov);
+  logDebug("    nearClip: %f\n", cam->nearClip);
+  logDebug("    farClip: %f\n", cam->farClip);
+  assert_int_equal(
+    cam->projType, ENTITY_CAMERA_PROJECTION_TYPE_PERSPECTIVE
+  );
+  assert_float_equal(cam->perspective.fov, 45.0f, 0.0001f);
+  assert_float_equal(cam->nearClip, 0.1f, 0.0001f);
+  assert_float_equal(cam->farClip, 5000.0f, 0.1f);
+
+  // Renderable
+  componentid_t rendComp = entityGetComponent(
+    entId, COMPONENT_TYPE_RENDERABLE
+  );
+  assert_int_not_equal(rendComp, COMPONENT_ID_INVALID);
+  entityrenderable_t *rend = componentGetData(
+    entId, rendComp, COMPONENT_TYPE_RENDERABLE
+  );
+  const char_t *rendTypeStr = "custom";
+  if(rend->type == ENTITY_RENDERABLE_TYPE_SPRITEBATCH) {
+    rendTypeStr = "spritebatch";
+  } else if(rend->type == ENTITY_RENDERABLE_TYPE_SHADER_MATERIAL) {
+    rendTypeStr = "shader_material";
+  }
+  logDebug("  renderable:\n");
+  logDebug("    type: %s\n", rendTypeStr);
+  logDebug("    priority: %d\n", (int_t)rend->priority);
+  logDebug(
+    "    shaderType: %d\n", (int_t)rend->data.material.shaderType
+  );
+  logDebug(
+    "    stateFlags: %d\n", (int_t)rend->data.material.state.flags
+  );
+  assert_int_equal(rend->type, ENTITY_RENDERABLE_TYPE_SHADER_MATERIAL);
+  assert_int_equal(rend->priority, 0);
+
+  // Physics
+  componentid_t physComp = entityGetComponent(entId, COMPONENT_TYPE_PHYSICS);
+  assert_int_not_equal(physComp, COMPONENT_ID_INVALID);
+  entityphysics_t *phys = componentGetData(
+    entId, physComp, COMPONENT_TYPE_PHYSICS
+  );
+  const char_t *bodyStr = "static";
+  if(phys->type == PHYSICS_BODY_DYNAMIC) {
+    bodyStr = "dynamic";
+  } else if(phys->type == PHYSICS_BODY_KINEMATIC) {
+    bodyStr = "kinematic";
+  }
+  const char_t *shapeStr = "cube";
+  if(phys->shape.type == PHYSICS_SHAPE_SPHERE) {
+    shapeStr = "sphere";
+  } else if(phys->shape.type == PHYSICS_SHAPE_CAPSULE) {
+    shapeStr = "capsule";
+  } else if(phys->shape.type == PHYSICS_SHAPE_PLANE) {
+    shapeStr = "plane";
+  }
+  logDebug("  physics:\n");
+  logDebug("    bodyType: %s\n", bodyStr);
+  logDebug("    shapeType: %s\n", shapeStr);
+  logDebug("    gravityScale: %f\n", phys->gravityScale);
+  assert_int_equal(phys->type, PHYSICS_BODY_DYNAMIC);
+  assert_int_equal(phys->shape.type, PHYSICS_SHAPE_CUBE);
+  assert_float_equal(phys->gravityScale, 1.0f, 0.0001f);
+
+  // Trigger
+  componentid_t trigComp = entityGetComponent(
+    entId, COMPONENT_TYPE_TRIGGER
+  );
+  assert_int_not_equal(trigComp, COMPONENT_ID_INVALID);
+  entitytrigger_t *trig = componentGetData(
+    entId, trigComp, COMPONENT_TYPE_TRIGGER
+  );
+  logDebug("  trigger:\n");
+  logDebug(
+    "    min: [%f, %f, %f]\n",
+    trig->min[0], trig->min[1], trig->min[2]
+  );
+  logDebug(
+    "    max: [%f, %f, %f]\n",
+    trig->max[0], trig->max[1], trig->max[2]
+  );
+  assert_float_equal(trig->min[0], -0.5f, 0.0001f);
+  assert_float_equal(trig->max[0],  0.5f, 0.0001f);
+
+  entityDispose(entId);
+  yyjson_doc_free(doc);
+
+  assert_int_equal(memoryGetAllocatedCount(), 0);
+}
+
+static int groupSetup(void **state) {
+  assertInit();
+  entityManagerInit();
+  return 0;
+}
+
+static int groupTeardown(void **state) {
+  entityManagerDispose();
+  return 0;
+}
+
+int main(void) {
+  const struct CMUnitTest tests[] = {
+    cmocka_unit_test(test_entityjson_load),
+  };
+  return cmocka_run_group_tests(tests, groupSetup, groupTeardown);
+}