diff --git a/.gitmodules b/.gitmodules
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..282f5cc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitmodules
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+[submodule "external/NetworkCore"]
+	path = external/NetworkCore
+	url = git@git.fawkes100.de:sebastian/JsonTCPServer.git
diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index d081d7d..2f0b175 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -118,6 +118,8 @@ CPMAddPackage(
 
 message(STATUS "dr_libs_SOURCE_DIR = ${dr_libs_SOURCE_DIR}")
 
+add_subdirectory(external/NetworkCore)
+
 # Engine als statische Lib
 add_library(Engine STATIC
         engine/src/core/Window.h
@@ -247,9 +249,25 @@ add_library(Engine STATIC
         engine/src/core/events/EventBus.h
         engine/src/core/audio/ecs/PlaySoundComponent.h
         engine/src/core/animation/events/AnimationMarkerEvent.h
+        engine/src/core/animation/components/BlockingAnimationComponent.h
+        engine/src/core/audio/ecs/AudioSystem.cpp
+        engine/src/core/audio/ecs/AudioSystem.h
+        engine/src/core/audio/ecs/BlockingSoundComponent.h
+        engine/src/renderer/shader/GuiShader.cpp
+        engine/src/renderer/shader/GuiShader.h
+        engine/src/renderer/primitives/QuadFactory.cpp
+        engine/src/renderer/primitives/QuadFactory.h
+        engine/src/loader/models/SimpleTexturedMesh.cpp
+        engine/src/loader/models/SimpleTexturedMesh.h
+        engine/src/loader/models/Mesh.cpp
+        engine/src/loader/models/Mesh.h
+        engine/src/renderer/GuiRenderer.cpp
+        engine/src/renderer/GuiRenderer.h
+        engine/src/renderer/ui/GUITexture.cpp
+        engine/src/renderer/ui/GUITexture.h
 )
 target_include_directories(Engine PUBLIC engine/src ${dr_libs_SOURCE_DIR})
-target_link_libraries(Engine PUBLIC OpenGL::GL glfw glad glm::glm imgui spdlog::spdlog tinyobjloader stb_image OpenAL::OpenAL)
+target_link_libraries(Engine PUBLIC OpenGL::GL glfw glad glm::glm imgui spdlog::spdlog tinyobjloader stb_image OpenAL::OpenAL NetworkCore)
 
 # --- GameLib: Spiel-Logik, unabhängig von main.cpp testbar ---
 add_library(GameLib STATIC
@@ -292,6 +310,8 @@ add_library(GameLib STATIC
         game/src/ludo/gameMode/PiecePathBuilder.cpp
         game/src/ludo/gameMode/PiecePathBuilder.h
         game/src/ludo/gameMode/PathNode.h
+        game/src/mainMenu/MainMenuScene.cpp
+        game/src/mainMenu/MainMenuScene.h
 )
 target_include_directories(GameLib PUBLIC game/src)
 target_link_libraries(GameLib PUBLIC Engine)
@@ -299,10 +319,8 @@ target_link_libraries(GameLib PUBLIC Engine)
 # --- Executable ---
 add_executable(ColorRace
         game/src/main.cpp
-        engine/src/core/animation/components/BlockingAnimationComponent.h
-        engine/src/core/audio/ecs/AudioSystem.cpp
-        engine/src/core/audio/ecs/AudioSystem.h
-        engine/src/core/audio/ecs/BlockingSoundComponent.h
+        game/src/mainMenu/layer/MainMenuUiLayer.cpp
+        game/src/mainMenu/layer/MainMenuUiLayer.h
 )
 
 target_link_libraries(ColorRace PRIVATE
diff --git a/assets/shaders/gui.frag b/assets/shaders/gui.frag
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e0e59e2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/assets/shaders/gui.frag
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+#version 460 core
+
+in vec2 textureCoords;
+
+out vec4 color;
+
+uniform sampler2D guiTexture;
+
+void main() {
+    color = texture(guiTexture, textureCoords);
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/assets/shaders/gui.vert b/assets/shaders/gui.vert
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..77d53df
--- /dev/null
+++ b/assets/shaders/gui.vert
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+#version 460 core
+
+layout(location = 0) in vec2 position;
+
+out vec2 textureCoords;
+
+uniform mat4 transformationMatrix;
+
+void main() {
+    gl_Position = transformationMatrix * vec4(position, 0.0, 1.0);
+    textureCoords = vec2((position.x + 1.0) / 2.0, (position.y + 1.0) / 2.0);
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/assets/textures/main_menu_background.png b/assets/textures/main_menu_background.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2a55fe3
Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/textures/main_menu_background.png differ
diff --git a/assets/textures/splash_screen.png b/assets/textures/splash_screen.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..68b8578
Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/textures/splash_screen.png differ
diff --git a/engine/src/loader/models/Mesh.cpp b/engine/src/loader/models/Mesh.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3eca9bb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/engine/src/loader/models/Mesh.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+//
+// Created by sebastian on 06.08.26.
+//
+
+#include "Mesh.h"
diff --git a/engine/src/loader/models/Mesh.h b/engine/src/loader/models/Mesh.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b14fda9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/engine/src/loader/models/Mesh.h
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+//
+// Created by sebastian on 06.08.26.
+//
+
+#ifndef COLORRACE_MESH_H
+#define COLORRACE_MESH_H
+
+
+namespace engine {
+    class Mesh {
+    public:
+        virtual ~Mesh() = default;
+        virtual void bind() const = 0;
+        virtual void unbind() const = 0;
+        virtual void draw() const = 0;
+    };
+
+}
+
+#endif //COLORRACE_MESH_H
diff --git a/engine/src/loader/models/SimpleTexturedMesh.cpp b/engine/src/loader/models/SimpleTexturedMesh.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..04343aa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/engine/src/loader/models/SimpleTexturedMesh.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+//
+// Created by sebastian on 06.08.26.
+//
+
+#include "SimpleTexturedMesh.h"
+
+void engine::SimpleTexturedMesh::bind() const {
+    m_vao->bind();
+}
+
+void engine::SimpleTexturedMesh::unbind() const {
+    m_vao->unbind();
+}
+
+void engine::SimpleTexturedMesh::draw() const {
+    glDrawArrays(GL_TRIANGLES, 0, 6);
+}
diff --git a/engine/src/loader/models/SimpleTexturedMesh.h b/engine/src/loader/models/SimpleTexturedMesh.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b603ae1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/engine/src/loader/models/SimpleTexturedMesh.h
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+//
+// Created by sebastian on 06.08.26.
+//
+
+#ifndef COLORRACE_SIMPLETEXTUREDMESH_H
+#define COLORRACE_SIMPLETEXTUREDMESH_H
+#include "Mesh.h"
+#include "utils/openglWrapper/openglObjects/Vao.h"
+
+namespace engine {
+    class SimpleTexturedMesh : public engine::Mesh{
+    public:
+        SimpleTexturedMesh(std::unique_ptr<Vao> vao, int vertexCount) : m_vao(std::move(vao)), vertexCount(vertexCount) {}
+        void bind() const override;
+        void unbind() const override;
+        void draw() const override;
+    private:
+        std::unique_ptr<Vao> m_vao;
+        int vertexCount;
+    };
+}
+
+
+
+#endif //COLORRACE_SIMPLETEXTUREDMESH_H
diff --git a/engine/src/renderer/GuiRenderer.cpp b/engine/src/renderer/GuiRenderer.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c205258
--- /dev/null
+++ b/engine/src/renderer/GuiRenderer.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+//
+// Created by sebastian on 06.08.26.
+//
+
+#include "GuiRenderer.h"
+
+void engine::renderer::GuiRenderer::render(const std::vector<GUITexture> &guiElements) const {
+    m_shader->start();
+    m_renderState.apply();
+
+    m_fullscreenQuad->bind();
+    for (auto& guiElement : guiElements) {
+        m_shader->loadTransformationMatrix(guiElement.getTransform());
+        guiElement.getTexture()->bind();
+        m_fullscreenQuad->draw();
+        guiElement.getTexture()->unbind();
+    }
+    m_fullscreenQuad->unbind();
+}
diff --git a/engine/src/renderer/GuiRenderer.h b/engine/src/renderer/GuiRenderer.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a2dcb3f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/engine/src/renderer/GuiRenderer.h
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+//
+// Created by sebastian on 06.08.26.
+//
+
+#ifndef COLORRACE_GUIRENDERER_H
+#define COLORRACE_GUIRENDERER_H
+#include <memory>
+
+#include "loader/models/SimpleTexturedMesh.h"
+#include "primitives/QuadFactory.h"
+#include "shader/GuiShader.h"
+#include "ui/GUITexture.h"
+#include "utils/openglWrapper/GLRenderState.h"
+
+
+namespace engine::renderer {
+    class GuiRenderer {
+    public:
+        GuiRenderer() : m_shader(std::make_unique<shader::GuiShader>()) {
+            m_renderState.depthTesting = false;
+            m_renderState.depthWriting = false;
+            m_renderState.alphaBlending = true;
+            m_renderState.backfaceCulling = false;
+            m_renderState.frontFaceCulling = false;
+
+            m_fullscreenQuad = engine::QuadFactory::createFullScreenQuad();
+        }
+        void render(const std::vector<GUITexture> &guiElements) const;
+    private:
+        std::shared_ptr<SimpleTexturedMesh> m_fullscreenQuad;
+        std::unique_ptr<shader::GuiShader> m_shader;
+        GLRenderState m_renderState;
+    };
+}
+
+#endif //COLORRACE_GUIRENDERER_H
diff --git a/engine/src/renderer/primitives/QuadFactory.cpp b/engine/src/renderer/primitives/QuadFactory.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..25200a4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/engine/src/renderer/primitives/QuadFactory.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+//
+// Created by sebastian on 06.08.26.
+//
+
+#include "QuadFactory.h"
+
+std::shared_ptr<engine::SimpleTexturedMesh> engine::QuadFactory::createFullScreenQuad() {
+    // pos.xy in NDC, uv.xy
+    std::vector<float> vertices = {
+        -1,-1,
+      1,-1,
+      1, 1,
+
+      1, 1,
+     -1, 1,
+     -1,-1
+    };
+    std::vector<unsigned int> indices = { 0, 1, 2,  2, 3, 0 };
+
+    auto vao = Vao::create();
+    std::vector<std::unique_ptr<Attribute>> attribs;
+    attribs.push_back(std::make_unique<Vec2Attribute>(0)); // position
+    vao->initDataFeed(vertices.data(), vertices.size() * sizeof(float), GL_STATIC_DRAW, std::move(attribs));
+    vao->createIndexBuffer(indices.data(), indices.size());
+    vao->unbind();
+
+    return std::make_shared<engine::SimpleTexturedMesh>(std::move(vao), 4);
+}
diff --git a/engine/src/renderer/primitives/QuadFactory.h b/engine/src/renderer/primitives/QuadFactory.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1886289
--- /dev/null
+++ b/engine/src/renderer/primitives/QuadFactory.h
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+//
+// Created by sebastian on 06.08.26.
+//
+
+#ifndef COLORRACE_QUADFACTORY_H
+#define COLORRACE_QUADFACTORY_H
+#include <memory>
+
+#include "loader/models/SimpleTexturedMesh.h"
+
+
+namespace engine::QuadFactory {
+    std::shared_ptr<engine::SimpleTexturedMesh> createFullScreenQuad();
+}
+
+
+#endif //COLORRACE_QUADFACTORY_H
diff --git a/engine/src/renderer/shader/GuiShader.cpp b/engine/src/renderer/shader/GuiShader.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0c35c2e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/engine/src/renderer/shader/GuiShader.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+//
+// Created by sebastian on 06.08.26.
+//
+
+#include "GuiShader.h"
diff --git a/engine/src/renderer/shader/GuiShader.h b/engine/src/renderer/shader/GuiShader.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ddacb3c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/engine/src/renderer/shader/GuiShader.h
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+//
+// Created by sebastian on 06.08.26.
+//
+
+#ifndef COLORRACE_GUISHADER_H
+#define COLORRACE_GUISHADER_H
+#include <functional>
+
+#include "glm/fwd.hpp"
+#include "utils/openglWrapper/shader/ShaderProgram.h"
+#include "utils/openglWrapper/shader/UniformValue.h"
+
+namespace engine::shader {
+    class GuiShader : public ShaderProgram {
+    public:
+        GuiShader() : ShaderProgram("assets/shaders/gui.vert", "assets/shaders/gui.frag") {
+            storeAllUniformLocations({
+                std::ref(transformationMatrix)
+            });
+        }
+        void loadTransformationMatrix(const glm::mat4& matrix) {
+            transformationMatrix.load(matrix);
+        }
+    private:
+        UniformValue<glm::mat4> transformationMatrix{"transformationMatrix"};
+    };
+}
+
+
+#endif //COLORRACE_GUISHADER_H
diff --git a/engine/src/renderer/ui/GUITexture.cpp b/engine/src/renderer/ui/GUITexture.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..34008fe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/engine/src/renderer/ui/GUITexture.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+//
+// Created by sebastian on 06.08.26.
+//
+
+#include "GUITexture.h"
+#include "glm/glm.hpp"
+#include "glm/ext/matrix_transform.hpp"
+
+namespace engine {
+    void GUITexture::bind() {
+        texture->bind();
+    }
+
+    void GUITexture::unbind() {
+        texture->unbind();
+    }
+
+    glm::mat4 GUITexture::getTransform() const {
+        glm::vec2 translationNDC;
+        translationNDC.x = position.x * 2.0f - 1.0f + size.x;
+        translationNDC.y = 1.0f - position.y * 2.0f - size.y;
+
+        auto matrix = glm::identity<glm::mat4>();
+        matrix = glm::translate(matrix, glm::vec3( translationNDC, 0.0f));
+        matrix = glm::scale(matrix, glm::vec3(size.x, size.y, 1.0f));
+        return matrix;
+    }
+} // engine
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/engine/src/renderer/ui/GUITexture.h b/engine/src/renderer/ui/GUITexture.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3453c48
--- /dev/null
+++ b/engine/src/renderer/ui/GUITexture.h
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+//
+// Created by sebastian on 06.08.26.
+//
+
+#ifndef COLORRACE_GUITEXTURE_H
+#define COLORRACE_GUITEXTURE_H
+#include <memory>
+
+#include "glm/fwd.hpp"
+#include "glm/vec2.hpp"
+#include "loader/textures/Texture2D.h"
+
+namespace engine {
+    class GUITexture {
+    public:
+        GUITexture(std::shared_ptr<Texture2D> texture, glm::vec2 position, glm::vec2 size) : position(position), size(size), texture(std::move(texture)) {}
+        [[nodiscard]] const glm::vec2& getPosition() const { return position; }
+        [[nodiscard]] const glm::vec2& getSize() const { return size; }
+        [[nodiscard]] const std::shared_ptr<Texture2D>& getTexture() const { return texture; }
+
+        void bind();
+        void unbind();
+
+        glm::mat4 getTransform() const;
+    private:
+        const glm::vec2 position;
+        const glm::vec2 size;
+
+        std::shared_ptr<Texture2D> texture;
+    };
+} // engine
+
+#endif //COLORRACE_GUITEXTURE_H
diff --git a/external/NetworkCore b/external/NetworkCore
new file mode 160000
index 0000000..f67ce80
--- /dev/null
+++ b/external/NetworkCore
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Subproject commit f67ce801f799aacb9d10b35423417953e954548b
diff --git a/game/src/ColorRaceApp.h b/game/src/ColorRaceApp.h
index 2959d18..c3e1b66 100644
--- a/game/src/ColorRaceApp.h
+++ b/game/src/ColorRaceApp.h
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 #include "ecs/standardComponents/MeshComponent.h"
 #include "ecs/standardComponents/TransformComponent.h"
 #include "layer/SceneManager.h"
+#include "mainMenu/MainMenuScene.h"
 #include "renderer/MeshRenderer.h"
 #include "renderer/entities/Camera.h"
 #include "renderer/shader/StaticShader.h"
@@ -33,7 +34,7 @@ public:
         return config;
     }
     ColorRaceApp() : Application(makeConfig()) {
-        getSceneManager().switchTo(std::make_unique<GameScene>(getInputContextStack(), getKeyboard(), getMouse()));
+        getSceneManager().switchTo(std::make_unique<MainMenuScene>(getInputContextStack(), getKeyboard(), getMouse()));
     }
 protected:
     void onUpdate(float deltaTime) override;
diff --git a/game/src/mainMenu/MainMenuScene.cpp b/game/src/mainMenu/MainMenuScene.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..563b79d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/game/src/mainMenu/MainMenuScene.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+//
+// Created by sebastian on 06.08.26.
+//
+
+#include "MainMenuScene.h"
+
+#include "layer/MainMenuUiLayer.h"
+
+void MainMenuScene::onEnter() {
+    Scene::onEnter();
+    addLayer(std::make_unique<MainMenuUiLayer>(m_keyboard, m_mouse, getAnimationEventBus(), *assetManager));
+}
+
+std::vector<engine::AssetRequest> MainMenuScene::getRequiredAssets() const {
+    std::vector<engine::AssetRequest> requests;
+    requests.emplace_back(engine::TextureRequest("main_menu_background", "assets/textures/main_menu_background.png"));
+    return requests;
+}
diff --git a/game/src/mainMenu/MainMenuScene.h b/game/src/mainMenu/MainMenuScene.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dd149d0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/game/src/mainMenu/MainMenuScene.h
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+//
+// Created by sebastian on 06.08.26.
+//
+
+#ifndef COLORRACE_MAINMENUSCENE_H
+#define COLORRACE_MAINMENUSCENE_H
+#include "layer/Scene.h"
+
+
+class MainMenuScene : public engine::Scene {
+public:
+    MainMenuScene(engine::InputContextStack& inputContext, engine::Keyboard& keyboard, engine::Mouse& mouse) : Scene(inputContext, keyboard, mouse) {}
+    void onEnter() override;
+    std::vector<engine::AssetRequest> getRequiredAssets() const override;
+};
+
+
+#endif //COLORRACE_MAINMENUSCENE_H
diff --git a/game/src/mainMenu/layer/MainMenuUiLayer.cpp b/game/src/mainMenu/layer/MainMenuUiLayer.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8b2cacc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/game/src/mainMenu/layer/MainMenuUiLayer.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+//
+// Created by sebastian on 06.08.26.
+//
+
+#include "MainMenuUiLayer.h"
+
+void MainMenuUiLayer::onRender() {
+    Layer::onRender();
+
+    std::vector<engine::GUITexture> guiElements;
+    guiElements.emplace_back(*backgroundImage);
+    m_guiRenderer.render(guiElements);
+}
+
+void MainMenuUiLayer::onAttachImpl() {
+    Layer::onAttachImpl();
+
+    auto backgroundTexture = m_assetManager.getTexture("main_menu_background");
+
+    backgroundImage = std::make_unique<engine::GUITexture>(backgroundTexture, glm::vec2(0,0), glm::vec2(1,1));
+}
+
+void MainMenuUiLayer::onDetachImpl() {
+    Layer::onDetachImpl();
+}
+
+void MainMenuUiLayer::onUpdate(float deltaTime) {
+    Layer::onUpdate(deltaTime);
+}
diff --git a/game/src/mainMenu/layer/MainMenuUiLayer.h b/game/src/mainMenu/layer/MainMenuUiLayer.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7ccd42e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/game/src/mainMenu/layer/MainMenuUiLayer.h
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+//
+// Created by sebastian on 06.08.26.
+//
+
+#ifndef COLORRACE_MAINMENUUILAYER_H
+#define COLORRACE_MAINMENUUILAYER_H
+#include "layer/Layer.h"
+#include "loader/assets/AssetManager.h"
+#include "renderer/GuiRenderer.h"
+#include "renderer/ui/GUITexture.h"
+
+
+class MainMenuUiLayer : public engine::Layer {
+public:
+    MainMenuUiLayer(engine::Keyboard &keyboard, engine::Mouse &mouse, engine::EventBus<engine::animation::AnimationMarkerEvent> &animationEventBus, engine::AssetManager& assetManager)
+    : Layer(keyboard, mouse, animationEventBus), m_assetManager(assetManager) {
+    }
+
+    void onRender() override;
+    void onUpdate(float deltaTime) override;
+
+protected:
+    void onAttachImpl() override;
+    void onDetachImpl() override;
+
+private:
+    engine::AssetManager& m_assetManager;
+    std::unique_ptr<engine::GUITexture> backgroundImage;
+
+    engine::renderer::GuiRenderer m_guiRenderer;
+};
+
+
+#endif //COLORRACE_MAINMENUUILAYER_H