Update assets, working save kerfuffle

Assets/Scripts/Core/SaveLoad/AppleMachine.cs

@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ namespace Core.SaveLoad
         private void Start()
         { 
             // Direct registration - SaveLoadManager guaranteed available (priority 25)
-            if (SaveLoadManager.Instance != null)
+            if (SaveLoadManager.Instance != null && ShouldParticipateInSave())
             {
                 SaveLoadManager.Instance.RegisterParticipant(this);
             }
@@ -126,6 +126,15 @@ namespace Core.SaveLoad
             // Match ManagedBehaviour convention: SceneName/GameObjectName/ComponentType
             return $"{sceneName}/{gameObject.name}/AppleMachine";
         }
+        
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Returns true to participate in save/load system.
+        /// Override this in derived classes to opt out (return false).
+        /// </summary>
+        public virtual bool ShouldParticipateInSave()
+        {
+            return true;
+        }
 
         private string GetSceneName()
         {

Assets/Scripts/Core/SaveLoad/ISaveParticipant.cs

@@ -29,6 +29,13 @@
         /// Used to prevent double-restoration when inactive objects become active.
         /// </summary>
         bool HasBeenRestored { get; }
+        
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Returns true if this participant wants to participate in save/load system.
+        /// Return false to opt out (participant will not be saved or restored).
+        /// Useful for transient objects like UI elements that don't need persistence.
+        /// </summary>
+        bool ShouldParticipateInSave();
     }
 }
 

Assets/Scripts/Core/SaveLoad/SaveLoadManager.cs

@@ -130,6 +130,13 @@ namespace Core.SaveLoad
             participants[saveId] = participant;
             Logging.Debug($"[SaveLoadManager] Registered participant: {saveId}");
 
+            // Skip restoration for participants that opt out
+            if (!participant.ShouldParticipateInSave())
+            {
+                Logging.Debug($"[SaveLoadManager] Participant opted out of save/load: {saveId}");
+                return;
+            }
+
             // If we have save data loaded and the participant hasn't been restored yet
             if (IsSaveDataLoaded && currentSaveData != null && !participant.HasBeenRestored)
             {
@@ -446,6 +453,13 @@ namespace Core.SaveLoad
             {
                 string saveId = kvp.Key;
                 ISaveParticipant participant = kvp.Value;
+                
+                // Skip participants that opt out of save system
+                if (!participant.ShouldParticipateInSave())
+                {
+                    Logging.Debug($"[SaveLoadManager] Skipping participant (opted out): {saveId}");
+                    continue;
+                }
 
                 try
                 {
@@ -630,6 +644,13 @@ namespace Core.SaveLoad
                 {
                     string saveId = kvp.Key;
                     ISaveParticipant participant = kvp.Value;
+                    
+                    // Skip participants that opt out of save system
+                    if (!participant.ShouldParticipateInSave())
+                    {
+                        Logging.Debug($"[SaveLoadManager] Skipping participant (opted out): {saveId}");
+                        continue;
+                    }
 
                     try
                     {