diff --git a/cmake/curl.cmake b/cmake/curl.cmake
index 13752f16615..c675c45e905 100644
--- a/cmake/curl.cmake
+++ b/cmake/curl.cmake
@@ -2,6 +2,6 @@
 # Finds libcurl via vcpkg on Linux/macOS. Windows builds do not use this module.
 
 if(SAGE_UPDATE_CHECK)
-    find_package(CURL CONFIG REQUIRED)
+    find_package(CURL REQUIRED)
     message(STATUS "libcurl found: ${CURL_VERSION_STRING}")
 endif()
diff --git a/cmake/miniaudio.cmake b/cmake/miniaudio.cmake
index 784c1aa0f03..257464aaea3 100644
--- a/cmake/miniaudio.cmake
+++ b/cmake/miniaudio.cmake
@@ -8,39 +8,56 @@
 # Reference: https://github.com/feliwir/CnC_Generals_Zero_Hour (MiniAudio backend by Stephan Vedder)
 
 if(SAGE_USE_MINIAUDIO)
-    message(STATUS "Configuring miniaudio via FetchContent...")
+    set(MINIAUDIO_INCLUDE_DIR FALSE)
+    
+    if(CMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME STREQUAL "Linux")
+        find_path(MINIAUDIO_INCLUDE_DIR miniaudio.h)
+    endif()
 
-    include(FetchContent)
+    if(MINIAUDIO_INCLUDE_DIR)
+        message(STATUS "✓ Found system miniaudio header at ${MINIAUDIO_INCLUDE_DIR}")
+        add_library(miniaudio_lib INTERFACE)
+        target_include_directories(miniaudio_lib INTERFACE ${MINIAUDIO_INCLUDE_DIR})
+        target_compile_definitions(miniaudio_lib INTERFACE SAGE_USE_MINIAUDIO)
+        
+        # Platform-specific audio backend configuration
+        if(APPLE)
+            target_compile_definitions(miniaudio_lib INTERFACE
+                MA_NO_WASAPI MA_NO_DSOUND MA_NO_WINMM)
+        elseif(UNIX)
+            target_compile_definitions(miniaudio_lib INTERFACE
+                MA_NO_WASAPI MA_NO_DSOUND MA_NO_WINMM MA_NO_COREAUDIO)
+        endif()
+    else()
+        message(STATUS "Configuring miniaudio via FetchContent...")
 
-    FetchContent_Declare(
-        miniaudio
-        URL "https://github.com/mackron/miniaudio/archive/refs/heads/master.tar.gz"
-    )
+        include(FetchContent)
 
-    # miniaudio is a single-header library; we just need the source directory
-    # Use FETCHCONTENT_UPDATES_DISCONNECTED to avoid re-downloading
-    FetchContent_GetProperties(miniaudio)
-    if(NOT miniaudio_POPULATED)
-        FetchContent_Populate(miniaudio)
-    endif()
+        FetchContent_Declare(
+            miniaudio
+            URL "https://github.com/mackron/miniaudio/archive/refs/heads/master.tar.gz"
+        )
 
-    # Create an interface target for miniaudio (single-header library)
-    # We don't use miniaudio's CMakeLists.txt because it builds optional node
-    # libraries with incorrect linking. Instead, we use the single-header approach.
-    add_library(miniaudio_lib INTERFACE)
-    target_include_directories(miniaudio_lib INTERFACE ${miniaudio_SOURCE_DIR})
-    target_compile_definitions(miniaudio_lib INTERFACE SAGE_USE_MINIAUDIO)
-
-    # Platform-specific audio backend configuration
-    if(APPLE)
-        # Use CoreAudio on macOS
-        target_compile_definitions(miniaudio_lib INTERFACE
-            MA_NO_WASAPI MA_NO_DSOUND MA_NO_WINMM)
-    elseif(UNIX)
-        # Use ALSA on Linux (PulseAudio/PipeWire via ALSA compat)
-        target_compile_definitions(miniaudio_lib INTERFACE
-            MA_NO_WASAPI MA_NO_DSOUND MA_NO_WINMM MA_NO_COREAUDIO)
-    endif()
+        FetchContent_GetProperties(miniaudio)
+        if(NOT miniaudio_POPULATED)
+            FetchContent_Populate(miniaudio)
+        endif()
 
-    message(STATUS "miniaudio configured: target miniaudio_lib available")
+        add_library(miniaudio_lib INTERFACE)
+        target_include_directories(miniaudio_lib INTERFACE ${miniaudio_SOURCE_DIR})
+        target_compile_definitions(miniaudio_lib INTERFACE SAGE_USE_MINIAUDIO)
+
+        # Platform-specific audio backend configuration
+        if(APPLE)
+            # Use CoreAudio on macOS
+            target_compile_definitions(miniaudio_lib INTERFACE
+                MA_NO_WASAPI MA_NO_DSOUND MA_NO_WINMM)
+        elseif(UNIX)
+            # Use ALSA on Linux (PulseAudio/PipeWire via ALSA compat)
+            target_compile_definitions(miniaudio_lib INTERFACE
+                MA_NO_WASAPI MA_NO_DSOUND MA_NO_WINMM MA_NO_COREAUDIO)
+        endif()
+
+        message(STATUS "miniaudio configured: target miniaudio_lib available")
+    endif()
 endif()
diff --git a/cmake/openal.cmake b/cmake/openal.cmake
index df7c32917e8..f62f32b9ed9 100644
--- a/cmake/openal.cmake
+++ b/cmake/openal.cmake
@@ -25,30 +25,41 @@
 # Reference: jmarshall OpenAL implementation uses <AL/al.h> throughout.
 
 if(SAGE_USE_OPENAL)
-    message(STATUS "Configuring OpenAL Soft (v1.24.2) with FetchContent...")
-
-    include(FetchContent)
-
-    FetchContent_Declare(
-        openal_soft
-        URL "https://github.com/kcat/openal-soft/archive/refs/tags/1.24.2.tar.gz"
-        URL_HASH "SHA256=7efd383d70508587fbc146e4c508771a2235a5fc8ae05bf6fe721c20a348bd7c"
-    )
-
-    # Minimal build: no utilities, examples, or tests
-    set(ALSOFT_INSTALL_RUNTIME_LIBS  ON  CACHE BOOL "Install runtime libs" FORCE)
-    set(ALSOFT_EXAMPLES              OFF CACHE BOOL "Build examples"       FORCE)
-    set(ALSOFT_TESTS                 OFF CACHE BOOL "Build tests"          FORCE)
-    set(ALSOFT_UTILS                 OFF CACHE BOOL "Build utils"          FORCE)
-    set(ALSOFT_NO_CONFIG_UTIL        ON  CACHE BOOL "Disable config util"  FORCE)
-
-    if(WIN32)
-        # Windows: WASAPI is the modern low-latency audio API
-        set(ALSOFT_REQUIRE_WASAPI ON CACHE BOOL "Require WASAPI backend on Windows" FORCE)
+    set(OPENAL_FOUND FALSE)
+    set(OpenAL_FOUND FALSE)
+
+    if(CMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME STREQUAL "Linux")
+        find_package(OpenAL QUIET)
     endif()
 
-    FetchContent_MakeAvailable(openal_soft)
+    if(OPENAL_FOUND OR OpenAL_FOUND)
+        message(STATUS "✓ Found system OpenAL. Using it.")
+    else()
+        message(STATUS "Configuring OpenAL Soft (v1.24.2) with FetchContent...")
+
+        include(FetchContent)
+
+        FetchContent_Declare(
+            openal_soft
+            URL "https://github.com/kcat/openal-soft/archive/refs/tags/1.24.2.tar.gz"
+            URL_HASH "SHA256=7efd383d70508587fbc146e4c508771a2235a5fc8ae05bf6fe721c20a348bd7c"
+        )
+
+        # Minimal build: no utilities, examples, or tests
+        set(ALSOFT_INSTALL_RUNTIME_LIBS  ON  CACHE BOOL "Install runtime libs" FORCE)
+        set(ALSOFT_EXAMPLES              OFF CACHE BOOL "Build examples"       FORCE)
+        set(ALSOFT_TESTS                 OFF CACHE BOOL "Build tests"          FORCE)
+        set(ALSOFT_UTILS                 OFF CACHE BOOL "Build utils"          FORCE)
+        set(ALSOFT_NO_CONFIG_UTIL        ON  CACHE BOOL "Disable config util"  FORCE)
 
-    # openal-soft FetchContent creates the OpenAL::OpenAL imported target
-    message(STATUS "OpenAL Soft configured: target OpenAL::OpenAL available")
+        if(WIN32)
+            # Windows: WASAPI is the modern low-latency audio API
+            set(ALSOFT_REQUIRE_WASAPI ON CACHE BOOL "Require WASAPI backend on Windows" FORCE)
+        endif()
+
+        FetchContent_MakeAvailable(openal_soft)
+
+        # openal-soft FetchContent creates the OpenAL::OpenAL imported target
+        message(STATUS "OpenAL Soft configured: target OpenAL::OpenAL available")
+    endif()
 endif()
diff --git a/cmake/sdl3.cmake b/cmake/sdl3.cmake
index c66cabe1783..8de797f00f2 100644
--- a/cmake/sdl3.cmake
+++ b/cmake/sdl3.cmake
@@ -8,127 +8,134 @@
 # This avoids vcpkg issues with libsystemd and complex dependencies
 
 if(SAGE_USE_SDL3)
-    # GeneralsX @build BenderAI 22/02/2026 (updated)
-    # Strategy: FetchContent to compile SDL3 + SDL3_image from source
-    # Docker environment (ubuntu:24.04) has build dependencies pre-installed
-    # This ensures local build compatibility (same glibc, same distro as developer machine)
-    # Reference: https://github.com/libsdl-org/SDL/releases/download/release-3.4.2/SDL3-3.4.2.tar.gz
+    set(SDL3_FOUND FALSE)
+    set(SDL3_image_FOUND FALSE)
     
-    message(STATUS "Configuring SDL3 (v3.4.2) with FetchContent (native build)...")
-    
-    include(FetchContent)
-    
-    # SDL3 - Core graphics, input, events, filesystem
-    set(SDL3_VERSION "3.4.2")
-    set(SDL3_URL "https://github.com/libsdl-org/SDL/releases/download/release-${SDL3_VERSION}/SDL3-${SDL3_VERSION}.tar.gz")
-    set(SDL3_URL_HASH "SHA256=ef39a2e3f9a8a78296c40da701967dd1b0d0d6e267e483863ce70f8a03b4050c")
-    
-    FetchContent_Declare(
-        SDL3
-        URL ${SDL3_URL}
-        URL_HASH ${SDL3_URL_HASH}
-    )
-    
-    # Configure SDL3 build options
-    set(SDL_SHARED ON CACHE BOOL "Build SDL3 as shared library" FORCE)
-    set(SDL_STATIC OFF CACHE BOOL "Don't build static library" FORCE)
-    set(SDL_AUDIO ON CACHE BOOL "Enable audio subsystem" FORCE)
-    set(SDL_TIMERS ON CACHE BOOL "Enable timers" FORCE)
-    set(SDL_EVENTS ON CACHE BOOL "Enable events" FORCE)
-    set(SDL_FILESYSTEM ON CACHE BOOL "Enable filesystem" FORCE)
-    set(SDL_RENDER ON CACHE BOOL "Enable render subsystem" FORCE)
-    set(SDL_VIDEO ON CACHE BOOL "Enable video subsystem" FORCE)
-    
-    # Platform support
-    set(SDL_WAYLAND ON CACHE BOOL "Enable Wayland support (Linux)" FORCE)
-    set(SDL_X11 ON CACHE BOOL "Enable X11 support (Linux)" FORCE)
-    set(SDL_CAMERA OFF CACHE BOOL "Disable camera (unused)" FORCE)
-    set(SDL_QSPI OFF CACHE BOOL "Disable QSPI (unused)" FORCE)
-    
-    FetchContent_MakeAvailable(SDL3)
-    
-    # GeneralsX @bugfix BenderAI 22/02/2026 (updated 24/02/2026 for macOS)
-    # Before SDL3_image build: force PNG discovery to platform-specific libpng
-    # Linux: System libpng16.so is dynamic shared library
-    # macOS: Use Homebrew PNG or system framework
-    if(NOT APPLE)
-        # Find system shared libpng, bypassing vcpkg's static .a.
-        # SDL3_image requires a shared .so but vcpkg only provides static libpng16.a.
-        # NO_CMAKE_PATH + NO_CMAKE_FIND_ROOT_PATH skips all vcpkg-injected search paths,
-        # so find_library uses only system paths (/usr/lib, /usr/lib64, multilib dirs).
-        find_library(PNG_LIBRARY NAMES png16 png NO_CMAKE_PATH NO_CMAKE_FIND_ROOT_PATH)
-        find_path(PNG_PNG_INCLUDE_DIR png.h PATH_SUFFIXES libpng16 NO_CMAKE_PATH NO_CMAKE_FIND_ROOT_PATH)
-        find_package(PNG REQUIRED MODULE)
+    if(CMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME STREQUAL "Linux")
+        find_package(SDL3 3.4.0 QUIET)
+        find_package(SDL3_image 3.4.0 QUIET)
+    endif()
+
+    if(SDL3_FOUND AND SDL3_image_FOUND)
+        message(STATUS "✓ Found system SDL3 and SDL3_image packages. Using them.")
+        add_library(sdl3lib INTERFACE)
+        target_link_libraries(sdl3lib INTERFACE SDL3::SDL3 SDL3_image::SDL3_image)
     else()
-        # macOS: Force Homebrew's dynamic libpng, bypassing vcpkg's static .a
-        # GeneralsX @build BenderAI 24/02/2026 - Phase 5 macOS port
-        # vcpkg provides static libpng16.a but SDL3_image requires dynamic .dylib
-        # Homebrew installs libpng16.16.dylib at /usr/local/lib (Intel) or /opt/homebrew/lib (ARM)
-        set(PNG_SHARED ON CACHE BOOL "Require PNG as shared library" FORCE)
-        # GeneralsX @bugfix BenderAI 25/02/2026 Check Apple Silicon Homebrew (/opt/homebrew) FIRST.
-        # A machine with both Homebrew installations (Intel Rosetta + native arm64) could have
-        # /usr/local/lib/libpng16.dylib (x86_64) AND /opt/homebrew/lib/libpng16.dylib (arm64).
-        # Linking the x86_64 dylib into an arm64 binary produces:
-        #   ld: warning: ignoring file '...libpng16.dylib': found architecture 'x86_64', required 'arm64'
-        # Always prefer /opt/homebrew (arm64) for arm64 builds.
-        if(EXISTS "/opt/homebrew/lib/libpng16.dylib")
-            # Apple Silicon Mac (Homebrew prefix: /opt/homebrew)
-            set(PNG_INCLUDE_DIR "/opt/homebrew/include" CACHE PATH "PNG include dir (Homebrew)" FORCE)
-            set(PNG_LIBRARY "/opt/homebrew/lib/libpng16.dylib" CACHE FILEPATH "PNG library (Homebrew .dylib)" FORCE)
-            set(PNG_LIBRARY_DEBUG "/opt/homebrew/lib/libpng16.dylib" CACHE FILEPATH "" FORCE)
-            set(PNG_LIBRARY_RELEASE "/opt/homebrew/lib/libpng16.dylib" CACHE FILEPATH "" FORCE)
-        elseif(EXISTS "/usr/local/lib/libpng16.dylib")
-            # Intel Mac fallback (Homebrew prefix: /usr/local)
-            set(PNG_INCLUDE_DIR "/usr/local/include" CACHE PATH "PNG include dir (Homebrew)" FORCE)
-            set(PNG_LIBRARY "/usr/local/lib/libpng16.dylib" CACHE FILEPATH "PNG library (Homebrew .dylib)" FORCE)
-            set(PNG_LIBRARY_DEBUG "/usr/local/lib/libpng16.dylib" CACHE FILEPATH "" FORCE)
-            set(PNG_LIBRARY_RELEASE "/usr/local/lib/libpng16.dylib" CACHE FILEPATH "" FORCE)
+        message(STATUS "Configuring SDL3 (v3.4.2) with FetchContent (native build)...")
+        
+        include(FetchContent)
+        
+        # SDL3 - Core graphics, input, events, filesystem
+        set(SDL3_VERSION "3.4.2")
+        set(SDL3_URL "https://github.com/libsdl-org/SDL/releases/download/release-${SDL3_VERSION}/SDL3-${SDL3_VERSION}.tar.gz")
+        set(SDL3_URL_HASH "SHA256=ef39a2e3f9a8a78296c40da701967dd1b0d0d6e267e483863ce70f8a03b4050c")
+        
+        FetchContent_Declare(
+            SDL3
+            URL ${SDL3_URL}
+            URL_HASH ${SDL3_URL_HASH}
+        )
+        
+        # Configure SDL3 build options
+        set(SDL_SHARED ON CACHE BOOL "Build SDL3 as shared library" FORCE)
+        set(SDL_STATIC OFF CACHE BOOL "Don't build static library" FORCE)
+        set(SDL_AUDIO ON CACHE BOOL "Enable audio subsystem" FORCE)
+        set(SDL_TIMERS ON CACHE BOOL "Enable timers" FORCE)
+        set(SDL_EVENTS ON CACHE BOOL "Enable events" FORCE)
+        set(SDL_FILESYSTEM ON CACHE BOOL "Enable filesystem" FORCE)
+        set(SDL_RENDER ON CACHE BOOL "Enable render subsystem" FORCE)
+        set(SDL_VIDEO ON CACHE BOOL "Enable video subsystem" FORCE)
+        
+        # Platform support
+        set(SDL_WAYLAND ON CACHE BOOL "Enable Wayland support (Linux)" FORCE)
+        set(SDL_X11 ON CACHE BOOL "Enable X11 support (Linux)" FORCE)
+        set(SDL_CAMERA OFF CACHE BOOL "Disable camera (unused)" FORCE)
+        set(SDL_QSPI OFF CACHE BOOL "Disable QSPI (unused)" FORCE)
+        
+        FetchContent_MakeAvailable(SDL3)
+        
+        # GeneralsX @bugfix BenderAI 22/02/2026 (updated 24/02/2026 for macOS)
+        # Before SDL3_image build: force PNG discovery to platform-specific libpng
+        # Linux: System libpng16.so is dynamic shared library
+        # macOS: Use Homebrew PNG or system framework
+        if(NOT APPLE)
+            # Find system shared libpng, bypassing vcpkg's static .a.
+            # SDL3_image requires a shared .so but vcpkg only provides static libpng16.a.
+            # NO_CMAKE_PATH + NO_CMAKE_FIND_ROOT_PATH skips all vcpkg-injected search paths,
+            # so find_library uses only system paths (/usr/lib, /usr/lib64, multilib dirs).
+            find_library(PNG_LIBRARY NAMES png16 png NO_CMAKE_PATH NO_CMAKE_FIND_ROOT_PATH)
+            find_path(PNG_PNG_INCLUDE_DIR png.h PATH_SUFFIXES libpng16 NO_CMAKE_PATH NO_CMAKE_FIND_ROOT_PATH)
+            find_package(PNG REQUIRED MODULE)
         else()
-            message(FATAL_ERROR "libpng not found. Install: brew install libpng")
+            # macOS: Force Homebrew's dynamic libpng, bypassing vcpkg's static .a
+            # GeneralsX @build BenderAI 24/02/2026 - Phase 5 macOS port
+            # vcpkg provides static libpng16.a but SDL3_image requires dynamic .dylib
+            # Homebrew installs libpng16.16.dylib at /usr/local/lib (Intel) or /opt/homebrew/lib (ARM)
+            set(PNG_SHARED ON CACHE BOOL "Require PNG as shared library" FORCE)
+            # GeneralsX @bugfix BenderAI 25/02/2026 Check Apple Silicon Homebrew (/opt/homebrew) FIRST.
+            # A machine with both Homebrew installations (Intel Rosetta + native arm64) could have
+            # /usr/local/lib/libpng16.dylib (x86_64) AND /opt/homebrew/lib/libpng16.dylib (arm64).
+            # Linking the x86_64 dylib into an arm64 binary produces:
+            #   ld: warning: ignoring file '...libpng16.dylib': found architecture 'x86_64', required 'arm64'
+            # Always prefer /opt/homebrew (arm64) for arm64 builds.
+            if(EXISTS "/opt/homebrew/lib/libpng16.dylib")
+                # Apple Silicon Mac (Homebrew prefix: /opt/homebrew)
+                set(PNG_INCLUDE_DIR "/opt/homebrew/include" CACHE PATH "PNG include dir (Homebrew)" FORCE)
+                set(PNG_LIBRARY "/opt/homebrew/lib/libpng16.dylib" CACHE FILEPATH "PNG library (Homebrew .dylib)" FORCE)
+                set(PNG_LIBRARY_DEBUG "/opt/homebrew/lib/libpng16.dylib" CACHE FILEPATH "" FORCE)
+                set(PNG_LIBRARY_RELEASE "/opt/homebrew/lib/libpng16.dylib" CACHE FILEPATH "" FORCE)
+            elseif(EXISTS "/usr/local/lib/libpng16.dylib")
+                # Intel Mac fallback (Homebrew prefix: /usr/local)
+                set(PNG_INCLUDE_DIR "/usr/local/include" CACHE PATH "PNG include dir (Homebrew)" FORCE)
+                set(PNG_LIBRARY "/usr/local/lib/libpng16.dylib" CACHE FILEPATH "PNG library (Homebrew .dylib)" FORCE)
+                set(PNG_LIBRARY_DEBUG "/usr/local/lib/libpng16.dylib" CACHE FILEPATH "" FORCE)
+                set(PNG_LIBRARY_RELEASE "/usr/local/lib/libpng16.dylib" CACHE FILEPATH "" FORCE)
+            else()
+                message(FATAL_ERROR "libpng not found. Install: brew install libpng")
+            endif()
+            find_package(PNG REQUIRED MODULE)
         endif()
-        find_package(PNG REQUIRED MODULE)
+        
+        # Tell CMake to find PNG - this should use our explicit system .so above, not vcpkg
+        
+        # SDL3_image - Image format support (PNG, JPG for cursor ANI loading)
+        message(STATUS "Configuring SDL3_image (v3.4.0) with FetchContent (native build)...")
+        
+        set(SDL3_IMAGE_VERSION "3.4.0")
+        set(SDL3_IMAGE_URL "https://github.com/libsdl-org/SDL_image/releases/download/release-${SDL3_IMAGE_VERSION}/SDL3_image-${SDL3_IMAGE_VERSION}.tar.gz")
+        set(SDL3_IMAGE_URL_HASH "SHA256=2ceb75eab4235c2c7e93dafc3ef3268ad368ca5de40892bf8cffdd510f29d9d8")
+        
+        FetchContent_Declare(
+            SDL3_image
+            URL ${SDL3_IMAGE_URL}
+            URL_HASH ${SDL3_IMAGE_URL_HASH}
+        )
+        
+        # Configure SDL3_image build options
+        # Note: PNG will use system libpng-dev (installed in Docker, no vcpkg conflicts)
+        set(SDL3IMAGE_INSTALL ON CACHE BOOL "Install SDL3_image" FORCE)
+        set(SDL3IMAGE_DEPS_SHARED ON CACHE BOOL "Use system shared dependencies" FORCE)
+        set(SDL3IMAGE_JPG ON CACHE BOOL "Enable JPG support" FORCE)
+        set(SDL3IMAGE_PNG ON CACHE BOOL "Enable PNG support (ANI cursor loading)" FORCE)
+        set(SDL3IMAGE_TIF ON CACHE BOOL "Enable TIF support" FORCE)
+        set(SDL3IMAGE_WEBP ON CACHE BOOL "Enable WebP support" FORCE)
+        set(SDL3IMAGE_AVIF OFF CACHE BOOL "Disable AVIF (optional)" FORCE)
+        set(SDL3IMAGE_XCUR ON CACHE BOOL "Enable X cursor support" FORCE)
+        
+        FetchContent_MakeAvailable(SDL3_image)
+        
+        # Create unified interface library for linking
+        add_library(sdl3lib INTERFACE)
+        target_link_libraries(sdl3lib INTERFACE SDL3::SDL3 SDL3_image::SDL3_image)
+        
+        # Expose include directories
+        target_include_directories(sdl3lib INTERFACE 
+            "${SDL3_SOURCE_DIR}/include"
+            "${sdl3_image_SOURCE_DIR}/include"
+        )
+        
+        message(STATUS "✓ SDL3 (${SDL3_VERSION}) + SDL3_image (${SDL3_IMAGE_VERSION}) configured")
+        message(STATUS "  Build approach: Native FetchContent compilation")
+        message(STATUS "  PNG support: System libpng-dev (dynamic linking)")
     endif()
-    
-    # Tell CMake to find PNG - this should use our explicit system .so above, not vcpkg
-    
-    # SDL3_image - Image format support (PNG, JPG for cursor ANI loading)
-    message(STATUS "Configuring SDL3_image (v3.4.0) with FetchContent (native build)...")
-    
-    set(SDL3_IMAGE_VERSION "3.4.0")
-    set(SDL3_IMAGE_URL "https://github.com/libsdl-org/SDL_image/releases/download/release-${SDL3_IMAGE_VERSION}/SDL3_image-${SDL3_IMAGE_VERSION}.tar.gz")
-    set(SDL3_IMAGE_URL_HASH "SHA256=2ceb75eab4235c2c7e93dafc3ef3268ad368ca5de40892bf8cffdd510f29d9d8")
-    
-    FetchContent_Declare(
-        SDL3_image
-        URL ${SDL3_IMAGE_URL}
-        URL_HASH ${SDL3_IMAGE_URL_HASH}
-    )
-    
-    # Configure SDL3_image build options
-    # Note: PNG will use system libpng-dev (installed in Docker, no vcpkg conflicts)
-    set(SDL3IMAGE_INSTALL ON CACHE BOOL "Install SDL3_image" FORCE)
-    set(SDL3IMAGE_DEPS_SHARED ON CACHE BOOL "Use system shared dependencies" FORCE)
-    set(SDL3IMAGE_JPG ON CACHE BOOL "Enable JPG support" FORCE)
-    set(SDL3IMAGE_PNG ON CACHE BOOL "Enable PNG support (ANI cursor loading)" FORCE)
-    set(SDL3IMAGE_TIF ON CACHE BOOL "Enable TIF support" FORCE)
-    set(SDL3IMAGE_WEBP ON CACHE BOOL "Enable WebP support" FORCE)
-    set(SDL3IMAGE_AVIF OFF CACHE BOOL "Disable AVIF (optional)" FORCE)
-    set(SDL3IMAGE_XCUR ON CACHE BOOL "Enable X cursor support" FORCE)
-    
-    FetchContent_MakeAvailable(SDL3_image)
-    
-    # Create unified interface library for linking
-    add_library(sdl3lib INTERFACE)
-    target_link_libraries(sdl3lib INTERFACE SDL3::SDL3 SDL3_image::SDL3_image)
-    
-    # Expose include directories
-    target_include_directories(sdl3lib INTERFACE 
-        "${SDL3_SOURCE_DIR}/include"
-        "${sdl3_image_SOURCE_DIR}/include"
-    )
-    
-    message(STATUS "✓ SDL3 (${SDL3_VERSION}) + SDL3_image (${SDL3_IMAGE_VERSION}) configured")
-    message(STATUS "  Build approach: Native FetchContent compilation")
-    message(STATUS "  PNG support: System libpng-dev (dynamic linking)")
-    
 endif()
diff --git a/docs/BUILD/LINUX.md b/docs/BUILD/LINUX.md
index c2688ba6298..99b33ef6e36 100644
--- a/docs/BUILD/LINUX.md
+++ b/docs/BUILD/LINUX.md
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ sudo dnf install gcc-c++ cmake ninja-build git
 sudo dnf install vulkan-loader vulkan-tools mesa-vulkan-drivers
 
 # Install SDL3 dependencies
-sudo dnf install SDL3-devel
+sudo dnf install SDL3-devel SDL3_image-devel
 
 # Install additional dependencies
 sudo dnf install mesa-libGL-devel mesa-libGLU-devel alsa-lib-devel
diff --git a/flatpak/com.fbraz3.GeneralsX.yml b/flatpak/com.fbraz3.GeneralsX.yml
index c8eed147685..5a9b027eed1 100644
--- a/flatpak/com.fbraz3.GeneralsX.yml
+++ b/flatpak/com.fbraz3.GeneralsX.yml
@@ -78,9 +78,9 @@ modules:
       - install -d /app/lib
       - cp -a /run/build/generalsx/dxvk-src/lib/libdxvk_d3d8.so* /app/lib/
       - cp -a /run/build/generalsx/dxvk-src/lib/libdxvk_d3d9.so* /app/lib/
-      - cp -a build-flatpak/_deps/sdl3-build/libSDL3.so* /app/lib/
-      - cp -a build-flatpak/_deps/sdl3_image-build/libSDL3_image.so* /app/lib/
-      - cp -a build-flatpak/_deps/openal_soft-build/libopenal.so* /app/lib/
+      - if [ -d build-flatpak/_deps/sdl3-build ]; then cp -a build-flatpak/_deps/sdl3-build/libSDL3.so* /app/lib/; fi
+      - if [ -d build-flatpak/_deps/sdl3_image-build ]; then cp -a build-flatpak/_deps/sdl3_image-build/libSDL3_image.so* /app/lib/; fi
+      - if [ -d build-flatpak/_deps/openal_soft-build ]; then cp -a build-flatpak/_deps/openal_soft-build/libopenal.so* /app/lib/; fi
       - find build-flatpak -name "libgamespy.so*" -type f -exec cp -a {} /app/lib/ \;
       # SagePatch (optional QoL, gated by RTS_BUILD_OPTION_SAGE_PATCH at build).
       - if [ -f build-flatpak/Patches/SagePatch/libsage_patch.so ]; then cp -a build-flatpak/Patches/SagePatch/libsage_patch.so /app/lib/; fi
diff --git a/flatpak/com.fbraz3.GeneralsXZH.yml b/flatpak/com.fbraz3.GeneralsXZH.yml
index 0c058a81d32..e1dca4ef25f 100644
--- a/flatpak/com.fbraz3.GeneralsXZH.yml
+++ b/flatpak/com.fbraz3.GeneralsXZH.yml
@@ -78,9 +78,9 @@ modules:
       - install -d /app/lib
       - cp -a /run/build/generalsxzh/dxvk-src/lib/libdxvk_d3d8.so* /app/lib/
       - cp -a /run/build/generalsxzh/dxvk-src/lib/libdxvk_d3d9.so* /app/lib/
-      - cp -a build-flatpak/_deps/sdl3-build/libSDL3.so* /app/lib/
-      - cp -a build-flatpak/_deps/sdl3_image-build/libSDL3_image.so* /app/lib/
-      - cp -a build-flatpak/_deps/openal_soft-build/libopenal.so* /app/lib/
+      - if [ -d build-flatpak/_deps/sdl3-build ]; then cp -a build-flatpak/_deps/sdl3-build/libSDL3.so* /app/lib/; fi
+      - if [ -d build-flatpak/_deps/sdl3_image-build ]; then cp -a build-flatpak/_deps/sdl3_image-build/libSDL3_image.so* /app/lib/; fi
+      - if [ -d build-flatpak/_deps/openal_soft-build ]; then cp -a build-flatpak/_deps/openal_soft-build/libopenal.so* /app/lib/; fi
       - find build-flatpak -name "libgamespy.so*" -type f -exec cp -a {} /app/lib/ \;
       # SagePatch (optional QoL, gated by RTS_BUILD_OPTION_SAGE_PATCH at build).
       # Only present when the option is ON; -f guard keeps the manifest robust.
diff --git a/scripts/build/linux/deploy-linux-zh.sh b/scripts/build/linux/deploy-linux-zh.sh
index 6addec904cb..20f14aaa64d 100755
--- a/scripts/build/linux/deploy-linux-zh.sh
+++ b/scripts/build/linux/deploy-linux-zh.sh
@@ -56,25 +56,16 @@ if [[ ! -d "${DXVK_LIB_DIR}" ]]; then
     exit 1
 fi
 
-# Check if SDL3 libraries exist
+# Check if SDL3 libraries exist (optional if using system SDL3)
 if [[ ! -d "${SDL3_LIB_DIR}" ]]; then
-    echo "ERROR: SDL3 libraries not found at ${SDL3_LIB_DIR}"
-    echo "Build first: ./scripts/build/linux/docker-build-linux-zh.sh linux64-deploy"
-    exit 1
+    echo "INFO: SDL3 build directory not found, assuming system SDL3 is used"
 fi
 
 if [[ ! -d "${SDL3_IMAGE_LIB_DIR}" ]]; then
-    echo "ERROR: SDL3_image libraries not found at ${SDL3_IMAGE_LIB_DIR}"
-    echo "Build first: ./scripts/build/linux/docker-build-linux-zh.sh linux64-deploy"
-    exit 1
+    echo "INFO: SDL3_image build directory not found, assuming system SDL3_image is used"
 fi
 
-# Check if GameSpy library exists
-if [[ ! -f "${GAMESPY_LIB}" ]]; then
-    echo "ERROR: GameSpy library not found at ${GAMESPY_LIB}"
-    echo "Build first: ./scripts/build/linux/docker-build-linux-zh.sh linux64-deploy"
-    exit 1
-fi
+# GameSpy check removed (it is static and built into the binary)
 
 # Create runtime directory if needed
 mkdir -p "${RUNTIME_DIR}"
@@ -90,13 +81,20 @@ cp -v "${DXVK_LIB_DIR}"/libdxvk_d3d8.so* "${RUNTIME_DIR}/"
 cp -v "${DXVK_LIB_DIR}"/libdxvk_d3d9.so* "${RUNTIME_DIR}/" 2>/dev/null || true
 
 # Copy SDL3 and SDL3_image libraries (for cursor loading and window management)
-echo "  Copying SDL3 libraries..."
-cp -v "${SDL3_LIB_DIR}"/libSDL3.so* "${RUNTIME_DIR}/"
-cp -v "${SDL3_IMAGE_LIB_DIR}"/libSDL3_image.so* "${RUNTIME_DIR}/"
+if compgen -G "${SDL3_LIB_DIR}/libSDL3.so*" > /dev/null; then
+    echo "  Copying SDL3 libraries..."
+    cp -v "${SDL3_LIB_DIR}"/libSDL3.so* "${RUNTIME_DIR}/"
+fi
+if compgen -G "${SDL3_IMAGE_LIB_DIR}/libSDL3_image.so*" > /dev/null; then
+    echo "  Copying SDL3_image libraries..."
+    cp -v "${SDL3_IMAGE_LIB_DIR}"/libSDL3_image.so* "${RUNTIME_DIR}/"
+fi
 
-# Copy GameSpy library (for online multiplayer)
-echo "  Copying GameSpy library..."
-cp -v "${GAMESPY_LIB}" "${RUNTIME_DIR}/"
+# Copy GameSpy library (only if built as shared)
+if [[ -f "${GAMESPY_LIB}" ]]; then
+    echo "  Copying GameSpy library..."
+    cp -v "${GAMESPY_LIB}" "${RUNTIME_DIR}/"
+fi
 
 copy_ldd_deps() {
     local root="$1"
@@ -125,20 +123,19 @@ copy_ldd_deps() {
 }
 
 # GeneralsX @build GitHubCopilot 17/05/2026 Deploy FFmpeg runtime libs transitively so runtime does not depend on host SONAME layout.
+# GeneralsX @tweak Antigravity 09/07/2026 Support multiple host architectures and paths (Fedora/Red Hat, Arch, Debian/Ubuntu)
 echo "  Copying FFmpeg runtime libraries..."
 shopt -s nullglob
-ffmpeg_roots=(
-    "${FFMPEG_LIB_DIR}"/libavcodec.so*
-    "${FFMPEG_LIB_DIR}"/libavformat.so*
-    "${FFMPEG_LIB_DIR}"/libavutil.so*
-    "${FFMPEG_LIB_DIR}"/libswresample.so*
-    "${FFMPEG_LIB_DIR}"/libswscale.so*
-    "${FFMPEG_DEP_LIB_DIR}"/libavcodec.so*
-    "${FFMPEG_DEP_LIB_DIR}"/libavformat.so*
-    "${FFMPEG_DEP_LIB_DIR}"/libavutil.so*
-    "${FFMPEG_DEP_LIB_DIR}"/libswresample.so*
-    "${FFMPEG_DEP_LIB_DIR}"/libswscale.so*
-)
+ffmpeg_roots=()
+for dir in "${FFMPEG_LIB_DIR}" "${FFMPEG_DEP_LIB_DIR}" "/usr/lib64" "/lib64" "/usr/lib" "/lib"; do
+    ffmpeg_roots+=(
+        "${dir}"/libavcodec.so*
+        "${dir}"/libavformat.so*
+        "${dir}"/libavutil.so*
+        "${dir}"/libswresample.so*
+        "${dir}"/libswscale.so*
+    )
+done
 shopt -u nullglob
 for ffmpeg_root in "${ffmpeg_roots[@]}"; do
     cp -a "${ffmpeg_root}" "${RUNTIME_DIR}/" 2>/dev/null || true
diff --git a/scripts/build/linux/deploy-linux.sh b/scripts/build/linux/deploy-linux.sh
index 9f1ad0661f5..2837678391b 100755
--- a/scripts/build/linux/deploy-linux.sh
+++ b/scripts/build/linux/deploy-linux.sh
@@ -109,20 +109,19 @@ copy_ldd_deps() {
 }
 
 # GeneralsX @build GitHubCopilot 17/05/2026 Deploy FFmpeg runtime libs transitively so runtime does not depend on host SONAME layout.
+# GeneralsX @tweak Antigravity 09/07/2026 Support multiple host architectures and paths (Fedora/Red Hat, Arch, Debian/Ubuntu)
 echo "  Copying FFmpeg runtime libraries..."
 shopt -s nullglob
-ffmpeg_roots=(
-    "${FFMPEG_LIB_DIR}"/libavcodec.so*
-    "${FFMPEG_LIB_DIR}"/libavformat.so*
-    "${FFMPEG_LIB_DIR}"/libavutil.so*
-    "${FFMPEG_LIB_DIR}"/libswresample.so*
-    "${FFMPEG_LIB_DIR}"/libswscale.so*
-    "${FFMPEG_DEP_LIB_DIR}"/libavcodec.so*
-    "${FFMPEG_DEP_LIB_DIR}"/libavformat.so*
-    "${FFMPEG_DEP_LIB_DIR}"/libavutil.so*
-    "${FFMPEG_DEP_LIB_DIR}"/libswresample.so*
-    "${FFMPEG_DEP_LIB_DIR}"/libswscale.so*
-)
+ffmpeg_roots=()
+for dir in "${FFMPEG_LIB_DIR}" "${FFMPEG_DEP_LIB_DIR}" "/usr/lib64" "/lib64" "/usr/lib" "/lib"; do
+    ffmpeg_roots+=(
+        "${dir}"/libavcodec.so*
+        "${dir}"/libavformat.so*
+        "${dir}"/libavutil.so*
+        "${dir}"/libswresample.so*
+        "${dir}"/libswscale.so*
+    )
+done
 shopt -u nullglob
 for ffmpeg_root in "${ffmpeg_roots[@]}"; do
     cp -a "${ffmpeg_root}" "${RUNTIME_DIR}/" 2>/dev/null || true