diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Include/Common/GlobalData.h b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Include/Common/GlobalData.h
index e1c0c1547a..ba3b9f750b 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Include/Common/GlobalData.h
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Include/Common/GlobalData.h
@@ -100,6 +100,11 @@ class GlobalData : public SubsystemInterface
 	Bool m_dumpAssetUsage;
 	Int m_framesPerSecondLimit;
 	Int	m_chipSetType;	///<See W3DShaderManager::ChipsetType for options
+
+	// TheSuperHackers @feature helmutbuhler 11/04/2025
+	// Run game without graphics, input or audio.
+	Bool m_headless;
+	
 	Bool m_windowed;
 	Int m_xResolution;
 	Int m_yResolution;
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Include/Common/Radar.h b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Include/Common/Radar.h
index 98da900dee..6f40897b07 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Include/Common/Radar.h
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Include/Common/Radar.h
@@ -293,6 +293,16 @@ class Radar : public Snapshot,
 // EXTERNALS //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 extern Radar *TheRadar;  ///< the radar singleton extern
 
+// TheSuperHackers @feature helmutbuhler 10/04/2025
+// Radar that does nothing. Used for Headless Mode.
+class RadarDummy : public Radar
+{
+public:
+	virtual void draw(Int pixelX, Int pixelY, Int width, Int height) { }
+	virtual void clearShroud() { }
+	virtual void setShroudLevel(Int x, Int y, CellShroudStatus setting) { }
+};
+
 #endif  // __RADAR_H_
 
 
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Include/GameClient/GameClient.h b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Include/GameClient/GameClient.h
index 78edbf64dd..e8ec8d69cd 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Include/GameClient/GameClient.h
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Include/GameClient/GameClient.h
@@ -259,4 +259,44 @@ inline Drawable* GameClient::findDrawableByID( const DrawableID id )
 // the singleton
 extern GameClient *TheGameClient;
 
+
+// TheSuperHackers @logic-client-separation helmutbuhler 11/04/2025
+// Some information about the architecture and headless mode:
+// The game is structurally separated into GameLogic and GameClient.
+// The Logic is responsible for everything that affects the game mechanic and what is synchronized over
+// the network. The Client is responsible for rendering, input, audio and similar stuff.
+// 
+// Unfortunately there are some places in the code that make the Logic depend on the Client.
+// (Search for @logic-client-separation)
+// That means if we want to run the game headless, we cannot just disable the Client. We need to disable
+// the parts in the Client that don't work in headless mode and need to keep the parts that are needed
+// to run the Logic.
+// The following describes which parts we disable in headless mode:
+//
+//	GameEngine:
+//		TheGameClient is partially disabled:
+//			TheKeyboard = NULL
+//			TheMouse = NULL
+//			TheDisplay is partially disabled:
+//				m_3DInterfaceScene = NULL
+//				m_2DScene = NULL
+//				m_3DScene = NULL
+//				(m_assetManager remains!)
+//			TheWindowManager = DummyGameWindowManager
+//			TheIMEManager = NULL
+//			TheTerrainVisual is partially disabled:
+//				TheTerrainTracksRenderObjClassSystem = NULL
+//				TheW3DShadowManager = NULL
+//				TheWaterRenderObj = NULL
+//				TheSmudgeManager = NULL
+//				TheTerrainRenderObject is partially disabled:
+//					m_treeBuffer = NULL
+//					m_propBuffer = NULL
+//					m_bibBuffer = NULL
+//					m_bridgeBuffer = NULL
+//					m_waypointBuffer = NULL
+//					m_roadBuffer = NULL
+//					m_shroud = NULL
+//		TheRadar = RadarDummy
+
 #endif // _GAME_INTERFACE_H_
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Include/GameClient/GameWindowManager.h b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Include/GameClient/GameWindowManager.h
index 7965895b8d..1b4db1ecdd 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Include/GameClient/GameWindowManager.h
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Include/GameClient/GameWindowManager.h
@@ -380,6 +380,49 @@ extern WindowMsgHandledType PassMessagesToParentSystem( GameWindow *window,
 																															 WindowMsgData mData2 );
 
 
+// TheSuperHackers @feature helmutbuhler 24/04/2025
+// GameWindow that does nothing. Used for Headless Mode.
+class DummyGameWindow : public GameWindow
+{
+	MEMORY_POOL_GLUE_WITH_USERLOOKUP_CREATE(DummyGameWindow, "DummyGameWindow")
+public:
+	//virtual ~DummyGameWindow();
+	virtual void winDrawBorder() { }
+};
+
+// TheSuperHackers @feature helmutbuhler 24/04/2025
+// GameWindowManager that does nothing. Used for Headless Mode.
+class DummyGameWindowManager : public GameWindowManager
+{
+public:
+	virtual GameWindow *winGetWindowFromId(GameWindow *window, Int id);
+	virtual GameWindow *winCreateFromScript(AsciiString filenameString, WindowLayoutInfo *info);
+
+	virtual GameWindow *allocateNewWindow() { return newInstance(DummyGameWindow); }
+
+	virtual GameWinDrawFunc getPushButtonImageDrawFunc() { return NULL; }
+	virtual GameWinDrawFunc getPushButtonDrawFunc() { return NULL; }
+	virtual GameWinDrawFunc getCheckBoxImageDrawFunc() { return NULL; }
+	virtual GameWinDrawFunc getCheckBoxDrawFunc() { return NULL; }
+	virtual GameWinDrawFunc getRadioButtonImageDrawFunc() { return NULL; }
+	virtual GameWinDrawFunc getRadioButtonDrawFunc() { return NULL; }
+	virtual GameWinDrawFunc getTabControlImageDrawFunc() { return NULL; }
+	virtual GameWinDrawFunc getTabControlDrawFunc() { return NULL; }
+	virtual GameWinDrawFunc getListBoxImageDrawFunc() { return NULL; }
+	virtual GameWinDrawFunc getListBoxDrawFunc() { return NULL; }
+	virtual GameWinDrawFunc getComboBoxImageDrawFunc() { return NULL; }
+	virtual GameWinDrawFunc getComboBoxDrawFunc() { return NULL; }
+	virtual GameWinDrawFunc getHorizontalSliderImageDrawFunc() { return NULL; }
+	virtual GameWinDrawFunc getHorizontalSliderDrawFunc() { return NULL; }
+	virtual GameWinDrawFunc getVerticalSliderImageDrawFunc() { return NULL; }
+	virtual GameWinDrawFunc getVerticalSliderDrawFunc() { return NULL; }
+	virtual GameWinDrawFunc getProgressBarImageDrawFunc() { return NULL; }
+	virtual GameWinDrawFunc getProgressBarDrawFunc() { return NULL; }
+	virtual GameWinDrawFunc getStaticTextImageDrawFunc() { return NULL; }
+	virtual GameWinDrawFunc getStaticTextDrawFunc() { return NULL; }
+	virtual GameWinDrawFunc getTextEntryImageDrawFunc() { return NULL; }
+	virtual GameWinDrawFunc getTextEntryDrawFunc() { return NULL; }
+};
 
 #endif // __GAMEWINDOWMANAGER_H_
 
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/CommandLine.cpp b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/CommandLine.cpp
index 87a5736682..9052426465 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/CommandLine.cpp
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/CommandLine.cpp
@@ -862,6 +862,15 @@ Int parseQuickStart( char *args[], int num )
 	return 1;
 }
 
+Int parseHeadless( char *args[], int num )
+{
+	if (TheWritableGlobalData)
+	{
+		TheWritableGlobalData->m_headless = TRUE;
+	}
+	return 1;
+}
+
 Int parseConstantDebug( char *args[], int num )
 {
 	if (TheWritableGlobalData)
@@ -1205,6 +1214,10 @@ static CommandLineParam params[] =
 	{ "-noshaders", parseNoShaders },
 	{ "-quickstart", parseQuickStart },
 
+	// TheSuperHackers @feature helmutbuhler 11/04/2025
+	// This runs the game without a window, graphics, input and audio. Used for testing.
+	{ "-headless", parseHeadless },
+
 #if (defined(_DEBUG) || defined(_INTERNAL))
 	{ "-noaudio", parseNoAudio },
 	{ "-map", parseMapName },
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/GameEngine.cpp b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/GameEngine.cpp
index afd0e0c42a..15ea12e47e 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/GameEngine.cpp
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/GameEngine.cpp
@@ -507,7 +507,7 @@ void GameEngine::init( int argc, char *argv[] )
 		initSubsystem(TheCrateSystem,"TheCrateSystem", MSGNEW("GameEngineSubsystem") CrateSystem(), &xferCRC, "Data\\INI\\Default\\Crate.ini", "Data\\INI\\Crate.ini");
 		initSubsystem(ThePlayerList,"ThePlayerList", MSGNEW("GameEngineSubsystem") PlayerList(), NULL);
 		initSubsystem(TheRecorder,"TheRecorder", createRecorder(), NULL);
-		initSubsystem(TheRadar,"TheRadar", createRadar(), NULL);
+		initSubsystem(TheRadar,"TheRadar", TheGlobalData->m_headless ? NEW RadarDummy : createRadar(), NULL);
 		initSubsystem(TheVictoryConditions,"TheVictoryConditions", createVictoryConditions(), NULL);
 
 
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/GlobalData.cpp b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/GlobalData.cpp
index fa65dc5407..36b3b3ecaa 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/GlobalData.cpp
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/GlobalData.cpp
@@ -613,6 +613,7 @@ GlobalData::GlobalData()
 	m_dumpAssetUsage = FALSE;
 	m_framesPerSecondLimit = 0;
 	m_chipSetType = 0;
+	m_headless = FALSE;
 	m_windowed = 0;
 	m_xResolution = 800;
 	m_yResolution = 600;
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/RandomValue.cpp b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/RandomValue.cpp
index 289eb1f10a..11989e118c 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/RandomValue.cpp
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/RandomValue.cpp
@@ -249,7 +249,7 @@ Int GetGameClientRandomValue( int lo, int hi, const char *file, int line )
 /**/
 #ifdef DEBUG_RANDOM_CLIENT
 DEBUG_LOG(( "%d: GetGameClientRandomValue = %d (%d - %d), %s line %d\n",
-				TheGameLogic->getFrame(), rval, lo, hi, file, line ));
+				TheGameLogic ? TheGameLogic->getFrame() : -1, rval, lo, hi, file, line ));
 #endif
 /**/
 
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/System/MemoryInit.cpp b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/System/MemoryInit.cpp
index 032121e26d..90e3b0199e 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/System/MemoryInit.cpp
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/Common/System/MemoryInit.cpp
@@ -416,6 +416,7 @@ static PoolSizeRec sizes[] =
 	{ "Overridable", 32, 32 },
 
 	{ "W3DGameWindow", 700, 256 },
+	{ "DummyGameWindow", 700, 256 },
 	{ "SuccessState", 32, 32 },
 	{ "FailureState", 32, 32 },
 	{ "ContinueState", 32, 32 },
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/GUI/ControlBar/ControlBar.cpp b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/GUI/ControlBar/ControlBar.cpp
index 4d9a8774fa..8164ee45ff 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/GUI/ControlBar/ControlBar.cpp
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/GUI/ControlBar/ControlBar.cpp
@@ -1382,6 +1382,8 @@ void ControlBar::reset( void )
 //-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 void ControlBar::update( void )
 {
+	if (TheGlobalData->m_headless)
+		return;
 	getStarImage();
 	updateRadarAttackGlow();
 	if(m_controlBarSchemeManager)
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/GUI/GameWindowManager.cpp b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/GUI/GameWindowManager.cpp
index 93c40ade6f..a8a0c8b0ff 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/GUI/GameWindowManager.cpp
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/GUI/GameWindowManager.cpp
@@ -4097,3 +4097,36 @@ void GameWindowManager::clearTabList( void )
 {
 	m_tabList.clear();
 }
+
+
+GameWindow *DummyGameWindowManager::winGetWindowFromId(GameWindow *window, Int id)
+{
+	window = GameWindowManager::winGetWindowFromId(window, id);
+	if (window != NULL)
+		return window;
+
+	// Just return any window, callers expect this to be non-null
+	return m_windowList;
+}
+
+WindowMsgHandledType DummyWindowSystem(GameWindow *window, UnsignedInt msg, WindowMsgData mData1, WindowMsgData mData2)
+{
+	return MSG_IGNORED;
+}
+
+GameWindow *DummyGameWindowManager::winCreateFromScript(AsciiString filenameString, WindowLayoutInfo *info)
+{
+	WindowLayoutInfo scriptInfo;
+	GameWindow* dummyWindow = winCreate(NULL, 0, 0, 0, 100, 100, DummyWindowSystem, NULL);
+	scriptInfo.windows.push_back(dummyWindow);
+	if (info)
+		*info = scriptInfo;
+	return dummyWindow;
+}
+
+DummyGameWindow::~DummyGameWindow()
+{
+}
+
+
+
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/GameClient.cpp b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/GameClient.cpp
index 21be7ea196..103721042f 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/GameClient.cpp
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/GameClient.cpp
@@ -270,10 +270,13 @@ void GameClient::init( void )
 		TheDisplayStringManager->setName("TheDisplayStringManager");
 	}
 	
-	// create the keyboard
-	TheKeyboard = createKeyboard();
-	TheKeyboard->init();
-	TheKeyboard->setName("TheKeyboard");
+	if (!TheGlobalData->m_headless)
+	{
+		// create the keyboard
+		TheKeyboard = createKeyboard();
+		TheKeyboard->init();
+		TheKeyboard->setName("TheKeyboard");
+	}
 
 	// allocate and load image collection for the GUI and just load the 256x256 ones for now
 	TheMappedImageCollection = MSGNEW("GameClientSubsystem") ImageCollection;
@@ -321,11 +324,14 @@ void GameClient::init( void )
 	if( TheFontLibrary )
 		TheFontLibrary->init();
 
-	// create the mouse
-	TheMouse = createMouse();
-	TheMouse->parseIni();
-	TheMouse->initCursorResources();
- 	TheMouse->setName("TheMouse");
+	if (!TheGlobalData->m_headless)
+	{
+		// create the mouse
+		TheMouse = createMouse();
+		TheMouse->parseIni();
+		TheMouse->initCursorResources();
+ 		TheMouse->setName("TheMouse");
+	}
 
 	// instantiate the display
 	TheDisplay = createGameDisplay();
@@ -340,7 +346,7 @@ void GameClient::init( void )
 	}
 
 	// create the window manager
-	TheWindowManager = createWindowManager();
+	TheWindowManager = TheGlobalData->m_headless ? NEW DummyGameWindowManager : createWindowManager();
 	if( TheWindowManager )
 	{
 
@@ -397,11 +403,10 @@ void GameClient::init( void )
  		TheRayEffects->setName("TheRayEffects");
 	}
 
-	TheMouse->init();	//finish initializing the mouse.
-
 	// set the limits of the mouse now that we've created the display and such
 	if( TheMouse )
 	{
+		TheMouse->init();	//finish initializing the mouse.
 		TheMouse->setPosition( 0, 0 );
 		TheMouse->setMouseLimits();
  		TheMouse->setName("TheMouse");
@@ -532,7 +537,7 @@ void GameClient::update( void )
 	//Initial Game Codition.  We must show the movie first and then we can display the shell	
 	if(TheGlobalData->m_afterIntro && !TheDisplay->isMoviePlaying())
 	{
-		if( playSizzle && TheGlobalData->m_playSizzle )
+		if( playSizzle && TheGlobalData->m_playSizzle && !TheGlobalData->m_headless )
 		{
 			TheWritableGlobalData->m_allowExitOutOfMovies = TRUE;
 			if(TheGameLODManager && TheGameLODManager->didMemPass())
@@ -623,10 +628,9 @@ void GameClient::update( void )
 	if(TheGlobalData->m_playIntro || TheGlobalData->m_afterIntro)
 	{
 		// redraw all views, update the GUI
+		if (!TheGlobalData->m_headless)
 		{
 			TheDisplay->DRAW();
-		}
-		{
 			TheDisplay->UPDATE();
 		}
 		return;
@@ -746,10 +750,12 @@ void GameClient::update( void )
 	}
 
 	// update display
+	if (!TheGlobalData->m_headless)
 	{
 		TheDisplay->UPDATE();
 	}
 
+	if (!TheGlobalData->m_headless)
 	{
 		USE_PERF_TIMER(GameClient_draw)
 			
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/InGameUI.cpp b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/InGameUI.cpp
index 1fa290fa39..dab86e26a5 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/InGameUI.cpp
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameClient/InGameUI.cpp
@@ -1298,7 +1298,7 @@ void InGameUI::setRadiusCursor(RadiusCursorType cursorType, const SpecialPowerTe
 //-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 void InGameUI::handleRadiusCursor()
 {
-	if (!m_curRadiusCursor.isEmpty())
+	if (!m_curRadiusCursor.isEmpty() && TheMouse != NULL)
 	{
 		const MouseIO* mouseIO = TheMouse->getMouseStatus();
 		Coord3D pos;
@@ -1337,6 +1337,8 @@ void InGameUI::handleRadiusCursor()
 
 void InGameUI::triggerDoubleClickAttackMoveGuardHint( void ) 
 {
+	if (TheMouse == NULL)
+		return;
   m_duringDoubleClickAttackMoveGuardHintTimer = 11; 
 	const MouseIO* mouseIO = TheMouse->getMouseStatus();
 	TheTacticalView->screenToTerrain( &mouseIO->pos, &m_duringDoubleClickAttackMoveGuardHintStashedPosition );
@@ -2936,8 +2938,9 @@ void InGameUI::setGUICommand( const CommandButton *command )
 		}
 		setRadiusCursorNone();
 	}
-
-	m_mouseModeCursor = TheMouse->getMouseCursor();
+	
+	if (TheMouse != NULL)
+		m_mouseModeCursor = TheMouse->getMouseCursor();
 
 }  // end setGUICommand
 
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/Map/TerrainLogic.cpp b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/Map/TerrainLogic.cpp
index c18e65726f..b328a02a88 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/Map/TerrainLogic.cpp
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/Map/TerrainLogic.cpp
@@ -2218,6 +2218,8 @@ const WaterHandle* TerrainLogic::getWaterHandle( Real x, Real y )
 
 	/**@todo: Remove this after we have all water types included
 		in water triggers.  For now do special check for water grid mesh. */
+	// TheSuperHackers @logic-client-separation helmutbuhler 11/04/2025
+	// We shouldn't depend on TerrainVisual here.
 	Real meshZ;
 	if( TheTerrainVisual->getWaterGridHeight( x, y, &meshZ ) )
 	{	
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/Object/Object.cpp b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/Object/Object.cpp
index 37a44e14bd..7ad6c38542 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/Object/Object.cpp
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/Object/Object.cpp
@@ -6096,6 +6096,9 @@ const AsciiString& Object::getCommandSetString() const
 //=============================================================================
 Bool Object::canProduceUpgrade( const UpgradeTemplate *upgrade )
 {
+	// TheSuperHackers @logic-client-separation helmutbuhler 11/04/2025
+	// TheControlBar belongs to the client, we shouldn't depend on that to check this.
+
 	// We need to have the button to make the upgrade.  CommandSets are a weird Logic/Client hybrid.
 	const CommandSet *set = TheControlBar->findCommandSet(getCommandSetString());
 
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/Object/Update/DockUpdate/DockUpdate.cpp b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/Object/Update/DockUpdate/DockUpdate.cpp
index b3571f6463..dfa7399a90 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/Object/Update/DockUpdate/DockUpdate.cpp
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/Object/Update/DockUpdate/DockUpdate.cpp
@@ -510,6 +510,10 @@ void DockUpdate::loadDockPositions()
 			if( m_numberApproachPositions != DYNAMIC_APPROACH_VECTOR_FLAG )
 			{
 				// Dynamic means no bones
+				
+				// TheSuperHackers @logic-client-separation helmutbuhler 11/04/2025
+				// We shouldn't depend on bones of a drawable here!
+
 				Coord3D approachBones[DEFAULT_APPROACH_VECTOR_SIZE];
 				m_numberApproachPositionBones = myDrawable->getPristineBonePositions( "DockWaiting", 1, approachBones, NULL, m_numberApproachPositions);
 				if( m_numberApproachPositions == m_approachPositions.size() )//safeguard: will always be true
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/Object/Weapon.cpp b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/Object/Weapon.cpp
index 0f22d5b3a7..66e2298826 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/Object/Weapon.cpp
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/Object/Weapon.cpp
@@ -2598,6 +2598,8 @@ Bool Weapon::privateFireWeapon(
 	Bool reloaded = false;
 	if (m_ammoInClip > 0)
 	{
+		// TheSuperHackers @logic-client-separation helmutbuhler 11/04/2025
+		// barrelCount shouln't depend on Drawable, which belongs to client.
 		Int barrelCount = sourceObj->getDrawable()->getBarrelCount(m_wslot);
 		if (m_curBarrel >= barrelCount)
 		{
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/ScriptEngine/ScriptActions.cpp b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/ScriptEngine/ScriptActions.cpp
index 5c4f05b4c4..2e9c8da0ac 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/ScriptEngine/ScriptActions.cpp
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/ScriptEngine/ScriptActions.cpp
@@ -3205,7 +3205,8 @@ void ScriptActions::doDisableInput()
 #endif
 	{
 		TheInGameUI->setInputEnabled(false);
-		TheMouse->setVisibility(false);
+		if (TheMouse != NULL)
+			TheMouse->setVisibility(false);
 		TheInGameUI->deselectAllDrawables();
 		TheInGameUI->clearAttackMoveToMode();
 		TheInGameUI->setWaypointMode( FALSE );
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/System/GameLogic.cpp b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/System/GameLogic.cpp
index bf74873267..77ff8271c9 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/System/GameLogic.cpp
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/System/GameLogic.cpp
@@ -737,6 +737,9 @@ static void populateRandomSideAndColor( GameInfo *game )
 		// Prevent from selecting the disabled Generals.
 		// This is also enforced at GUI setup (GUIUtil.cpp).
 		// @todo: unlock these when something rad happens
+
+		// TheSuperHackers @logic-client-separation helmutbuhler 11/04/2025
+		// TheChallengeGenerals belongs to client, we shouldn't depend on that here.
 		Bool disallowLockedGenerals = TRUE;
 		const GeneralPersona *general = TheChallengeGenerals->getGeneralByTemplateName(ptTest->getName());
 		Bool startsLocked = general ? !general->isStartingEnabled() : FALSE;
@@ -1267,7 +1270,7 @@ void GameLogic::startNewGame( Bool loadingSaveGame )
 	//****************************//
 
 	// Get the m_loadScreen for this kind of game
-	if(!m_loadScreen)
+	if(!m_loadScreen && !TheGlobalData->m_headless)
 	{
 		m_loadScreen = getLoadScreen( loadingSaveGame );
 		if(m_loadScreen)
@@ -1982,6 +1985,9 @@ void GameLogic::startNewGame( Bool loadingSaveGame )
 				// The game will start, but the cheater will be instantly defeated because he has no troops.
 				// This is also enforced at GUI setup (GUIUtil.cpp and UserPreferences.cpp).
 				// @todo: unlock these when something rad happens
+				
+				// TheSuperHackers @logic-client-separation helmutbuhler 11/04/2025
+				// TheChallengeGenerals belongs to client, we shouldn't depend on that here.
 				Bool disallowLockedGenerals = TRUE;
 				const GeneralPersona *general = TheChallengeGenerals->getGeneralByTemplateName(pt->getName());
 				Bool startsLocked = general ? !general->isStartingEnabled() : FALSE;
@@ -2187,7 +2193,7 @@ void GameLogic::startNewGame( Bool loadingSaveGame )
 	}
 
 	// if we're in a load game, don't fade yet
-	if( loadingSaveGame == FALSE )
+	if(loadingSaveGame == FALSE && TheTransitionHandler != NULL)
 	{
 		TheTransitionHandler->setGroup("FadeWholeScreen");
 		while(!TheTransitionHandler->isFinished())
@@ -2227,14 +2233,17 @@ void GameLogic::startNewGame( Bool loadingSaveGame )
 
 	if(m_gameMode == GAME_SHELL)
 	{
-		if(TheShell->getScreenCount() == 0)
-			TheShell->push( AsciiString("Menus/MainMenu.wnd") );
-		else if (TheShell->top())
+		if (!TheGlobalData->m_headless)
 		{
-			TheShell->top()->hide(FALSE);
-			TheShell->top()->bringForward();
+			if(TheShell->getScreenCount() == 0)
+				TheShell->push( AsciiString("Menus/MainMenu.wnd") );
+			else if (TheShell->top())
+			{
+				TheShell->top()->hide(FALSE);
+				TheShell->top()->bringForward();
+			}
+			HideControlBar();
 		}
-		HideControlBar();
 	}
 	else
 	{
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/System/GameLogicDispatch.cpp b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/System/GameLogicDispatch.cpp
index 2434afa6e6..808a8b1e80 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/System/GameLogicDispatch.cpp
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Source/GameLogic/System/GameLogicDispatch.cpp
@@ -265,7 +265,7 @@ void GameLogic::clearGameData( Bool showScoreScreen )
 	TheScriptActions->closeWindows(FALSE); // Close victory or defeat windows.
 
 	Bool shellGame = FALSE;
-	if ((!isInShellGame() || !isInGame()) && showScoreScreen)
+	if ((!isInShellGame() || !isInGame()) && showScoreScreen && !TheGlobalData->m_headless)
 	{
 		shellGame = TRUE;
 		TheTransitionHandler->setGroup("FadeWholeScreen");
@@ -291,7 +291,8 @@ void GameLogic::clearGameData( Bool showScoreScreen )
 	HideControlBar();
 	closeWindows();
 
-	TheMouse->setVisibility(TRUE);
+	if (TheMouse != NULL)
+		TheMouse->setVisibility(TRUE);
 
 	if(m_background)
 	{
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameClient/BaseHeightMap.cpp b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameClient/BaseHeightMap.cpp
index dfa2d339bd..3b2ec477b5 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameClient/BaseHeightMap.cpp
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameClient/BaseHeightMap.cpp
@@ -288,36 +288,41 @@ BaseHeightMapRenderObjClass::BaseHeightMapRenderObjClass(void)
 	m_useDepthFade = false;
 	m_disableTextures = false;
 	TheTerrainRenderObject = this;
-	m_treeBuffer = NULL; 
-
-	m_treeBuffer = NEW W3DTreeBuffer;
 
+	m_treeBuffer = NULL; 
 	m_propBuffer = NULL; 
-
-	m_propBuffer = NEW W3DPropBuffer;
-
-
 	m_bibBuffer = NULL;
-	m_bibBuffer = NEW W3DBibBuffer;
-	m_curImpassableSlope = 45.0f;	// default to 45 degrees.
 	m_bridgeBuffer = NULL;
-	m_bridgeBuffer = NEW W3DBridgeBuffer;
-	m_waypointBuffer = NEW W3DWaypointBuffer;
+	m_waypointBuffer = NULL;
 #ifdef DO_ROADS
 	m_roadBuffer = NULL;
-	m_roadBuffer = NEW W3DRoadBuffer;
 #endif
 #ifdef DO_SCORCH
 	m_vertexScorch = NULL;
 	m_indexScorch = NULL;
 	m_scorchTexture = NULL;
 	clearAllScorches();
+	m_shroud = NULL;
+#endif
+
+	if (TheGlobalData->m_headless)
+		return;
+
+	m_treeBuffer = NEW W3DTreeBuffer;
+
+	m_propBuffer = NEW W3DPropBuffer;
+
+	m_bibBuffer = NEW W3DBibBuffer;
+
+	m_curImpassableSlope = 45.0f;	// default to 45 degrees.
+	m_bridgeBuffer = NEW W3DBridgeBuffer;
+	m_waypointBuffer = NEW W3DWaypointBuffer;
+#ifdef DO_ROADS
+	m_roadBuffer = NEW W3DRoadBuffer;
 #endif
 #if defined(_DEBUG) || defined(_INTERNAL)
 	if (TheGlobalData->m_shroudOn)
 		m_shroud = NEW W3DShroud;
-	else
-		m_shroud = NULL;
 #else
 	m_shroud = NEW W3DShroud;
 #endif
@@ -1791,7 +1796,8 @@ Int BaseHeightMapRenderObjClass::initHeightData(Int x, Int y, WorldHeightMap *pM
 	if (m_shroud)
 		m_shroud->init(m_map,TheGlobalData->m_partitionCellSize,TheGlobalData->m_partitionCellSize);
 #ifdef DO_ROADS
-	m_roadBuffer->setMap(m_map);
+	if (m_roadBuffer)
+		m_roadBuffer->setMap(m_map);
 #endif
 	HeightSampleType *data = NULL;
 	if (pMap) {
@@ -1846,7 +1852,7 @@ Int BaseHeightMapRenderObjClass::initHeightData(Int x, Int y, WorldHeightMap *pM
 	m_curNumScorchIndices=0;
 	// If the textures aren't allocated (usually because of a hardware reset) need to allocate.
 	Bool needToAllocate = false;
-	if (m_stageTwoTexture == NULL) {
+	if (m_stageTwoTexture == NULL && m_treeBuffer) {
 		needToAllocate = true;
 	}
 	if (data && needToAllocate)
@@ -2300,7 +2306,8 @@ void BaseHeightMapRenderObjClass::notifyShroudChanged(void)
 void BaseHeightMapRenderObjClass::addTerrainBib(Vector3 corners[4], 
 																						ObjectID id, Bool highlight)
 {
-	m_bibBuffer->addBib(corners, id, highlight); 
+	if (m_bibBuffer)
+		m_bibBuffer->addBib(corners, id, highlight); 
 };
 
 //=============================================================================
@@ -2311,7 +2318,8 @@ void BaseHeightMapRenderObjClass::addTerrainBib(Vector3 corners[4],
 void BaseHeightMapRenderObjClass::addTerrainBibDrawable(Vector3 corners[4], 
 																						DrawableID id, Bool highlight)
 {
-	m_bibBuffer->addBibDrawable(corners, id, highlight); 
+	if (m_bibBuffer)
+		m_bibBuffer->addBibDrawable(corners, id, highlight); 
 };
 
 //=============================================================================
@@ -2321,7 +2329,8 @@ void BaseHeightMapRenderObjClass::addTerrainBibDrawable(Vector3 corners[4],
 //=============================================================================
 void BaseHeightMapRenderObjClass::removeTerrainBibHighlighting()
 {
-	m_bibBuffer->removeHighlighting(  ); 
+	if (m_bibBuffer)
+		m_bibBuffer->removeHighlighting(  ); 
 };
 
 //=============================================================================
@@ -2331,7 +2340,8 @@ void BaseHeightMapRenderObjClass::removeTerrainBibHighlighting()
 //=============================================================================
 void BaseHeightMapRenderObjClass::removeAllTerrainBibs()
 {
-	m_bibBuffer->clearAllBibs(  ); 
+	if (m_bibBuffer)
+		m_bibBuffer->clearAllBibs(  ); 
 };
 
 //=============================================================================
@@ -2341,7 +2351,8 @@ void BaseHeightMapRenderObjClass::removeAllTerrainBibs()
 //=============================================================================
 void BaseHeightMapRenderObjClass::removeTerrainBib(ObjectID id)
 {
-	m_bibBuffer->removeBib( id ); 
+	if (m_bibBuffer)
+		m_bibBuffer->removeBib( id ); 
 };
 
 //=============================================================================
@@ -2351,7 +2362,8 @@ void BaseHeightMapRenderObjClass::removeTerrainBib(ObjectID id)
 //=============================================================================
 void BaseHeightMapRenderObjClass::removeTerrainBibDrawable(DrawableID id)
 {
-	m_bibBuffer->removeBibDrawable( id ); 
+	if (m_bibBuffer)
+		m_bibBuffer->removeBibDrawable( id ); 
 };
 
 //=============================================================================
@@ -2368,7 +2380,8 @@ void BaseHeightMapRenderObjClass::staticLightingChanged( void )
 	m_scorchesInBuffer = 0; // If we just allocated the buffers, we got no scorches in the buffer.
 	m_curNumScorchVertices=0;
 	m_curNumScorchIndices=0;
-	m_roadBuffer->updateLighting();
+	if (m_roadBuffer)
+		m_roadBuffer->updateLighting();
 
 }
 
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameClient/Drawable/Draw/W3DDebrisDraw.cpp b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameClient/Drawable/Draw/W3DDebrisDraw.cpp
index 1e709a3c97..f4fca38dc7 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameClient/Drawable/Draw/W3DDebrisDraw.cpp
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameClient/Drawable/Draw/W3DDebrisDraw.cpp
@@ -73,7 +73,8 @@ W3DDebrisDraw::~W3DDebrisDraw(void)
 	}
 	if (m_renderObject)
 	{
-		W3DDisplay::m_3DScene->Remove_Render_Object(m_renderObject);
+		if (W3DDisplay::m_3DScene != NULL)
+			W3DDisplay::m_3DScene->Remove_Render_Object(m_renderObject);
   	REF_PTR_RELEASE(m_renderObject);
  		m_renderObject = NULL; 	
 	}
@@ -111,7 +112,8 @@ void W3DDebrisDraw::setModelName(AsciiString name, Color color, ShadowType t)
 		DEBUG_ASSERTCRASH(m_renderObject, ("Debris model %s not found!\n",name.str()));
 		if (m_renderObject)
 		{
-			W3DDisplay::m_3DScene->Add_Render_Object(m_renderObject);
+			if (W3DDisplay::m_3DScene != NULL)
+				W3DDisplay::m_3DScene->Add_Render_Object(m_renderObject);
 
 			m_renderObject->Set_User_Data(getDrawable()->getDrawableInfo());
 			
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameClient/Drawable/Draw/W3DLaserDraw.cpp b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameClient/Drawable/Draw/W3DLaserDraw.cpp
index 7306011ab8..93349f000c 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameClient/Drawable/Draw/W3DLaserDraw.cpp
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameClient/Drawable/Draw/W3DLaserDraw.cpp
@@ -205,7 +205,8 @@ W3DLaserDraw::W3DLaserDraw( Thing *thing, const ModuleData* moduleData ) :
 				}
 
 				// add to scene
-				W3DDisplay::m_3DScene->Add_Render_Object( line );	//add it to our scene so it gets rendered with other objects.
+				if (W3DDisplay::m_3DScene != NULL)
+					W3DDisplay::m_3DScene->Add_Render_Object( line );	//add it to our scene so it gets rendered with other objects.
 
 				// hide the render object until the first time we come to draw it and
 				// set the correct position
@@ -229,7 +230,8 @@ W3DLaserDraw::~W3DLaserDraw( void )
 	{
 
 		// remove line from scene
-		W3DDisplay::m_3DScene->Remove_Render_Object( m_line3D[ i ] );
+		if (W3DDisplay::m_3DScene != NULL)
+			W3DDisplay::m_3DScene->Remove_Render_Object( m_line3D[ i ] );
 
 		// delete line
 		REF_PTR_RELEASE( m_line3D[ i ] );
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameClient/Drawable/Draw/W3DModelDraw.cpp b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameClient/Drawable/Draw/W3DModelDraw.cpp
index 59f2b8f778..e6fba5bcad 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameClient/Drawable/Draw/W3DModelDraw.cpp
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameClient/Drawable/Draw/W3DModelDraw.cpp
@@ -2808,7 +2808,8 @@ void W3DModelDraw::nukeCurrentRender(Matrix3D* xform)
 		// save the transform for the new model
 		if (xform)
 			*xform = m_renderObject->Get_Transform();
-		W3DDisplay::m_3DScene->Remove_Render_Object(m_renderObject);
+		if (W3DDisplay::m_3DScene != NULL)
+			W3DDisplay::m_3DScene->Remove_Render_Object(m_renderObject);
 		REF_PTR_RELEASE(m_renderObject);
 		m_renderObject = NULL;
 	}
@@ -3135,7 +3136,8 @@ void W3DModelDraw::setModelState(const ModelConditionInfo* newState)
    		}
 
 			// add render object to our scene
-			W3DDisplay::m_3DScene->Add_Render_Object(m_renderObject);
+			if (W3DDisplay::m_3DScene != NULL)
+				W3DDisplay::m_3DScene->Add_Render_Object(m_renderObject);
 
 			// tie in our drawable as the user data pointer in the render object
 			m_renderObject->Set_User_Data(draw->getDrawableInfo());
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameClient/Drawable/Draw/W3DRopeDraw.cpp b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameClient/Drawable/Draw/W3DRopeDraw.cpp
index d4684d871c..e133e6fadd 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameClient/Drawable/Draw/W3DRopeDraw.cpp
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameClient/Drawable/Draw/W3DRopeDraw.cpp
@@ -107,8 +107,11 @@ void W3DRopeDraw::buildSegments()
 																	 m_color.blue,  // blue
 																	 0.5f );  // transparency
 
-		W3DDisplay::m_3DScene->Add_Render_Object( info.line );
-		W3DDisplay::m_3DScene->Add_Render_Object( info.softLine );
+		if (W3DDisplay::m_3DScene)
+		{
+			W3DDisplay::m_3DScene->Add_Render_Object( info.line );
+			W3DDisplay::m_3DScene->Add_Render_Object( info.softLine );
+		}
 		m_segments.push_back(info);
 	}
 }
@@ -122,12 +125,14 @@ void W3DRopeDraw::tossSegments()
 	{
 		if (it->line)
 		{
-			W3DDisplay::m_3DScene->Remove_Render_Object(it->line);
+			if (W3DDisplay::m_3DScene)
+				W3DDisplay::m_3DScene->Remove_Render_Object(it->line);
 			REF_PTR_RELEASE((it->line));
 		}
 		if (it->softLine)
 		{
-			W3DDisplay::m_3DScene->Remove_Render_Object(it->softLine);
+			if (W3DDisplay::m_3DScene)
+				W3DDisplay::m_3DScene->Remove_Render_Object(it->softLine);
 			REF_PTR_RELEASE((it->softLine));
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameClient/HeightMap.cpp b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameClient/HeightMap.cpp
index 484431e66c..31296a08c8 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameClient/HeightMap.cpp
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameClient/HeightMap.cpp
@@ -1026,7 +1026,7 @@ Int HeightMapRenderObjClass::updateBlock(Int x0, Int y0, Int x1, Int y1,  WorldH
 	DEBUG_ASSERTCRASH(y0<=y1, ("HeightMapRenderObjClass::UpdateBlock parameters have inside-out rectangle (on Y)."));
 #endif
 	Invalidate_Cached_Bounding_Volumes();
-	if (pMap) {
+	if (pMap && m_treeBuffer != NULL) {
 		REF_PTR_SET(m_stageZeroTexture, pMap->getTerrainTexture());
 		REF_PTR_SET(m_stageOneTexture, pMap->getAlphaTerrainTexture());
 	}
@@ -1326,7 +1326,7 @@ Int HeightMapRenderObjClass::initHeightData(Int x, Int y, WorldHeightMap *pMap,
 	if (m_stageOneTexture == NULL) {
 		needToAllocate = true;
 	}
-	if (data && needToAllocate)
+	if (data && needToAllocate && m_treeBuffer != NULL)
 	{	//requested heightmap different from old one.
 		freeIndexVertexBuffers();
 		//Create static index buffers.  These will index the vertex buffers holding the map.
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameClient/W3DAssetManager.cpp b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameClient/W3DAssetManager.cpp
index 43c0256771..90950e4316 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameClient/W3DAssetManager.cpp
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameClient/W3DAssetManager.cpp
@@ -855,6 +855,9 @@ RenderObjClass * W3DAssetManager::Create_Render_Obj(
 */
 int W3DAssetManager::Recolor_Asset(RenderObjClass *robj, const int color)
 {
+	if (TheGlobalData->m_headless)
+		return 0;
+
 	switch (robj->Class_ID())	{	
 	case RenderObjClass::CLASSID_MESH:
 		return Recolor_Mesh(robj,color);
@@ -871,6 +874,9 @@ int W3DAssetManager::Recolor_Asset(RenderObjClass *robj, const int color)
 */
 int W3DAssetManager::Recolor_Mesh(RenderObjClass *robj, const int color)
 {
+	if (TheGlobalData->m_headless)
+		return 0;
+
 	int i;
 	int didRecolor=0;
 	const char *meshName;
@@ -916,6 +922,9 @@ int W3DAssetManager::Recolor_Mesh(RenderObjClass *robj, const int color)
 
 int W3DAssetManager::Recolor_HLOD(RenderObjClass *robj, const int color)
 {
+	if (TheGlobalData->m_headless)
+		return 0;
+
 	int didRecolor=0;
 
 	int num_sub = robj->Get_Num_Sub_Objects();
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameClient/W3DDisplay.cpp b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameClient/W3DDisplay.cpp
index f551296241..0674d70151 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameClient/W3DDisplay.cpp
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameClient/W3DDisplay.cpp
@@ -457,12 +457,15 @@ W3DDisplay::~W3DDisplay()
 
 	// shutdown
 	Debug_Statistics::Shutdown_Statistics();
-	W3DShaderManager::shutdown();
+	if (!TheGlobalData->m_headless)
+		W3DShaderManager::shutdown();
 	m_assetManager->Free_Assets();
 	delete m_assetManager;
-	WW3D::Shutdown();
+	if (!TheGlobalData->m_headless)
+		WW3D::Shutdown();
 	WWMath::Shutdown();
-	DX8WebBrowser::Shutdown();
+	if (!TheGlobalData->m_headless)
+		DX8WebBrowser::Shutdown();
 	delete TheW3DFileSystem;
 	TheW3DFileSystem = NULL;
 
@@ -675,49 +678,54 @@ void W3DDisplay::init( void )
 	// init the Westwood math library
 	WWMath::Init();
 
-	// create our 3D interface scene
-	m_3DInterfaceScene = NEW_REF( RTS3DInterfaceScene, () );
-	m_3DInterfaceScene->Set_Ambient_Light( Vector3( 1, 1, 1 ) );
+	if (!TheGlobalData->m_headless)
+	{
 
-	// create our 2D scene
-	m_2DScene = NEW_REF( RTS2DScene, () );
-	m_2DScene->Set_Ambient_Light( Vector3( 1, 1, 1 ) );
+		// create our 3D interface scene
+		m_3DInterfaceScene = NEW_REF( RTS3DInterfaceScene, () );
+		m_3DInterfaceScene->Set_Ambient_Light( Vector3( 1, 1, 1 ) );
 
-	// create our 3D scene
-	m_3DScene =NEW_REF( RTS3DScene, () );
-#if defined(_DEBUG) || defined(_INTERNAL)
-	if( TheGlobalData->m_wireframe )
-		m_3DScene->Set_Polygon_Mode( SceneClass::LINE );
-#endif
-//============================================================================
-	// m_myLight = NEW_REF
-//============================================================================
-	Int lindex;
-	for (lindex=0; lindex<TheGlobalData->m_numGlobalLights; lindex++) 
-	{	m_myLight[lindex] = NEW_REF( LightClass, (LightClass::DIRECTIONAL) );
-	}
+		// create our 2D scene
+		m_2DScene = NEW_REF( RTS2DScene, () );
+		m_2DScene->Set_Ambient_Light( Vector3( 1, 1, 1 ) );
+
+		// create our 3D scene
+		m_3DScene =NEW_REF( RTS3DScene, () );
+	#if defined(_DEBUG) || defined(_INTERNAL)
+		if( TheGlobalData->m_wireframe )
+			m_3DScene->Set_Polygon_Mode( SceneClass::LINE );
+	#endif
+	//============================================================================
+		// m_myLight = NEW_REF
+	//============================================================================
+		Int lindex;
+		for (lindex=0; lindex<TheGlobalData->m_numGlobalLights; lindex++) 
+		{	m_myLight[lindex] = NEW_REF( LightClass, (LightClass::DIRECTIONAL) );
+		}
 
-	setTimeOfDay( TheGlobalData->m_timeOfDay );	//set each light to correct values for given time
+		setTimeOfDay( TheGlobalData->m_timeOfDay );	//set each light to correct values for given time
 
-	for (lindex=0; lindex<TheGlobalData->m_numGlobalLights; lindex++) 
-	{	m_3DScene->setGlobalLight( m_myLight[lindex], lindex );
-	}
+		for (lindex=0; lindex<TheGlobalData->m_numGlobalLights; lindex++) 
+		{	m_3DScene->setGlobalLight( m_myLight[lindex], lindex );
+		}
 
-#ifdef SAMPLE_DYNAMIC_LIGHT
-	theDynamicLight = NEW_REF(W3DDynamicLight, ());
-	Real red = 1;
-	Real green = 1;
-	Real blue = 0;
-	if(red==0 && blue==0 && green==0) {
-		red = green = blue = 1;
-	}
-	theDynamicLight->Set_Ambient( Vector3( red, green, blue ) );
-	theDynamicLight->Set_Diffuse( Vector3( red, green, blue) );
-	theDynamicLight->Set_Position(Vector3(0, 0, 4));
-	theDynamicLight->Set_Far_Attenuation_Range(1, 8);
-	// Note: Don't Add_Render_Object dynamic lights. 
-	m_3DScene->addDynamicLight( theDynamicLight );
-#endif
+	#ifdef SAMPLE_DYNAMIC_LIGHT
+		theDynamicLight = NEW_REF(W3DDynamicLight, ());
+		Real red = 1;
+		Real green = 1;
+		Real blue = 0;
+		if(red==0 && blue==0 && green==0) {
+			red = green = blue = 1;
+		}
+		theDynamicLight->Set_Ambient( Vector3( red, green, blue ) );
+		theDynamicLight->Set_Diffuse( Vector3( red, green, blue) );
+		theDynamicLight->Set_Position(Vector3(0, 0, 4));
+		theDynamicLight->Set_Far_Attenuation_Range(1, 8);
+		// Note: Don't Add_Render_Object dynamic lights. 
+		m_3DScene->addDynamicLight( theDynamicLight );
+	#endif
+
+	}
 
 	// create a new asset manager
 	m_assetManager = NEW W3DAssetManager;	
@@ -725,43 +733,35 @@ void W3DDisplay::init( void )
 	m_assetManager->Register_Prototype_Loader(&_AggregateLoader);
 	m_assetManager->Set_WW3D_Load_On_Demand( true );
 
-
-	if (TheGlobalData->m_incrementalAGPBuf)
+	if (!TheGlobalData->m_headless)
 	{
-		SortingRendererClass::SetMinVertexBufferSize(1);
-	}
-	if (WW3D::Init( ApplicationHWnd ) != WW3D_ERROR_OK)
-		throw ERROR_INVALID_D3D;	//failed to initialize.  User probably doesn't have DX 8.1
 
-	WW3D::Set_Prelit_Mode( WW3D::PRELIT_MODE_LIGHTMAP_MULTI_PASS );
-	WW3D::Set_Collision_Box_Display_Mask(0x00);	///<set to 0xff to make collision boxes visible
-	WW3D::Enable_Static_Sort_Lists(true);
-	WW3D::Set_Thumbnail_Enabled(false);
-	WW3D::Set_Screen_UV_Bias( TRUE );  ///< this makes text look good :)
-	WW3D::Set_Texture_Bitdepth(32);
+		if (TheGlobalData->m_incrementalAGPBuf)
+		{
+			SortingRendererClass::SetMinVertexBufferSize(1);
+		}
+		if (WW3D::Init( ApplicationHWnd ) != WW3D_ERROR_OK)
+			throw ERROR_INVALID_D3D;	//failed to initialize.  User probably doesn't have DX 8.1
+
+		WW3D::Set_Prelit_Mode( WW3D::PRELIT_MODE_LIGHTMAP_MULTI_PASS );
+		WW3D::Set_Collision_Box_Display_Mask(0x00);	///<set to 0xff to make collision boxes visible
+		WW3D::Enable_Static_Sort_Lists(true);
+		WW3D::Set_Thumbnail_Enabled(false);
+		WW3D::Set_Screen_UV_Bias( TRUE );  ///< this makes text look good :)
+		WW3D::Set_Texture_Bitdepth(32);
 			
-	setWindowed( TheGlobalData->m_windowed );
-
-	// create a 2D renderer helper
-	m_2DRender = NEW Render2DClass;
-	DEBUG_ASSERTCRASH( m_2DRender, ("Cannot create Render2DClass") );
-
-	// set our default width and height and bit depth
-	/// @todo we should set this according to options read from a file
-	setWidth( TheGlobalData->m_xResolution );
-	setHeight( TheGlobalData->m_yResolution );
-	setBitDepth( W3D_DISPLAY_DEFAULT_BIT_DEPTH );
-
-	if( WW3D::Set_Render_Device( 0, 
-															 getWidth(), 
-															 getHeight(), 
-															 getBitDepth(), 
-															 getWindowed(), 
-															 true ) != WW3D_ERROR_OK ) 
-	{
-		// Getting the device at the default bit depth (32) didn't work, so try
-		// getting a 16 bit display.  (Voodoo 1-3 only supported 16 bit.) jba.
-		setBitDepth( 16 );
+		setWindowed( TheGlobalData->m_windowed );
+
+		// create a 2D renderer helper
+		m_2DRender = NEW Render2DClass;
+		DEBUG_ASSERTCRASH( m_2DRender, ("Cannot create Render2DClass") );
+
+		// set our default width and height and bit depth
+		/// @todo we should set this according to options read from a file
+		setWidth( TheGlobalData->m_xResolution );
+		setHeight( TheGlobalData->m_yResolution );
+		setBitDepth( W3D_DISPLAY_DEFAULT_BIT_DEPTH );
+
 		if( WW3D::Set_Render_Device( 0, 
 																 getWidth(), 
 																 getHeight(), 
@@ -769,63 +769,78 @@ void W3DDisplay::init( void )
 																 getWindowed(), 
 																 true ) != WW3D_ERROR_OK ) 
 		{
+			// Getting the device at the default bit depth (32) didn't work, so try
+			// getting a 16 bit display.  (Voodoo 1-3 only supported 16 bit.) jba.
+			setBitDepth( 16 );
+			if( WW3D::Set_Render_Device( 0, 
+																	 getWidth(), 
+																	 getHeight(), 
+																	 getBitDepth(), 
+																	 getWindowed(), 
+																	 true ) != WW3D_ERROR_OK ) 
+			{
 
-			WW3D::Shutdown();
-			WWMath::Shutdown();
-			throw ERROR_INVALID_D3D;	//failed to initialize.  User probably doesn't have DX 8.1
-			DEBUG_ASSERTCRASH( 0, ("Unable to set render device\n") );
-			return;
-		}
+				WW3D::Shutdown();
+				WWMath::Shutdown();
+				throw ERROR_INVALID_D3D;	//failed to initialize.  User probably doesn't have DX 8.1
+				DEBUG_ASSERTCRASH( 0, ("Unable to set render device\n") );
+				return;
+			}
 
-	}  // end if
+		}  // end if
 
-	//Check if level was never set and default to setting most suitable for system.
-	if (TheGameLODManager->getStaticLODLevel() == STATIC_GAME_LOD_UNKNOWN)
-		TheGameLODManager->setStaticLODLevel(TheGameLODManager->findStaticLODLevel());
-	else
-	{	//Static LOD level was applied during GameLOD manager init except for texture reduction
-		//which needs to be applied here.
-		Int txtReduction=TheWritableGlobalData->m_textureReductionFactor;
-		if (txtReduction > 0)
-		{		WW3D::Set_Texture_Reduction(txtReduction,32);
-				//Tell LOD manager that texture reduction was applied.
-				TheGameLODManager->setCurrentTextureReduction(txtReduction);
+		//Check if level was never set and default to setting most suitable for system.
+		if (TheGameLODManager->getStaticLODLevel() == STATIC_GAME_LOD_UNKNOWN)
+			TheGameLODManager->setStaticLODLevel(TheGameLODManager->findStaticLODLevel());
+		else
+		{	//Static LOD level was applied during GameLOD manager init except for texture reduction
+			//which needs to be applied here.
+			Int txtReduction=TheWritableGlobalData->m_textureReductionFactor;
+			if (txtReduction > 0)
+			{		WW3D::Set_Texture_Reduction(txtReduction,32);
+					//Tell LOD manager that texture reduction was applied.
+					TheGameLODManager->setCurrentTextureReduction(txtReduction);
+			}
 		}
-	}
 
-	if (TheGlobalData->m_displayGamma != 1.0f)
-		setGamma(TheGlobalData->m_displayGamma,0.0f,1.0f,FALSE);
+		if (TheGlobalData->m_displayGamma != 1.0f)
+			setGamma(TheGlobalData->m_displayGamma,0.0f,1.0f,FALSE);
+	}
 
 	initAssets();
-	init2DScene();
-	init3DScene();
-	W3DShaderManager::init();
 
-	// Create and initialize the debug display
-	m_nativeDebugDisplay = NEW W3DDebugDisplay();
-	m_debugDisplay = m_nativeDebugDisplay;
-	if ( m_nativeDebugDisplay )
+	if (!TheGlobalData->m_headless)
 	{
-		m_nativeDebugDisplay->init();
-		GameFont *font;
+		init2DScene();
+		init3DScene();
+		W3DShaderManager::init();
 
-		if (TheGlobalLanguageData && TheGlobalLanguageData->m_nativeDebugDisplay.name.isNotEmpty())
+		// Create and initialize the debug display
+		m_nativeDebugDisplay = NEW W3DDebugDisplay();
+		m_debugDisplay = m_nativeDebugDisplay;
+		if ( m_nativeDebugDisplay )
 		{
-			font=TheFontLibrary->getFont(
-				TheGlobalLanguageData->m_nativeDebugDisplay.name,
-				TheGlobalLanguageData->m_nativeDebugDisplay.size,
-				TheGlobalLanguageData->m_nativeDebugDisplay.bold);
+			m_nativeDebugDisplay->init();
+			GameFont *font;
+
+			if (TheGlobalLanguageData && TheGlobalLanguageData->m_nativeDebugDisplay.name.isNotEmpty())
+			{
+				font=TheFontLibrary->getFont(
+					TheGlobalLanguageData->m_nativeDebugDisplay.name,
+					TheGlobalLanguageData->m_nativeDebugDisplay.size,
+					TheGlobalLanguageData->m_nativeDebugDisplay.bold);
+			}
+			else
+				font=TheFontLibrary->getFont( AsciiString("FixedSys"), 8, FALSE );
+
+			m_nativeDebugDisplay->setFont( font );
+			m_nativeDebugDisplay->setFontHeight( 13 );
+			m_nativeDebugDisplay->setFontWidth( 9 );
 		}
-		else
-			font=TheFontLibrary->getFont( AsciiString("FixedSys"), 8, FALSE );
 
-		m_nativeDebugDisplay->setFont( font );
-		m_nativeDebugDisplay->setFontHeight( 13 );
-		m_nativeDebugDisplay->setFontWidth( 9 );
+		DX8WebBrowser::Initialize();
 	}
 
-	DX8WebBrowser::Initialize();
-
 	// we're now online
 	m_initialized = true;
 	if( TheGlobalData->m_displayDebug )
@@ -845,16 +860,19 @@ void W3DDisplay::reset( void )
 
 	// Remove all render objects.
 
-	SceneIterator *sceneIter = m_3DScene->Create_Iterator();
-	sceneIter->First();
-	while(!sceneIter->Is_Done()) {
-		RenderObjClass * robj = sceneIter->Current_Item();
-		robj->Add_Ref();
-		m_3DScene->Remove_Render_Object(robj);
-		robj->Release_Ref();
-		sceneIter->Next();
+	if (m_3DScene != NULL)
+	{
+		SceneIterator *sceneIter = m_3DScene->Create_Iterator();
+		sceneIter->First();
+		while(!sceneIter->Is_Done()) {
+			RenderObjClass * robj = sceneIter->Current_Item();
+			robj->Add_Ref();
+			m_3DScene->Remove_Render_Object(robj);
+			robj->Release_Ref();
+			sceneIter->Next();
+		}
+		m_3DScene->Destroy_Iterator(sceneIter);
 	}
-	m_3DScene->Destroy_Iterator(sceneIter);
 
 	m_isClippedEnabled = FALSE;
 
@@ -1671,6 +1689,8 @@ void W3DDisplay::draw( void )
 		return;
 	}
 
+	if (TheGlobalData->m_headless)
+		return;
 
 	updateAverageFPS();
 	if (TheGlobalData->m_enableDynamicLOD && TheGameLogic->getShowDynamicLOD())
@@ -2082,7 +2102,7 @@ void W3DDisplay::createLightPulse( const Coord3D *pos, const RGBColor *color,
 																	 UnsignedInt decayFrameTime//, Bool donut
 																	 )
 {
-	if (innerRadius+attenuationWidth<2.0*PATHFIND_CELL_SIZE_F + 1.0f) {
+	if (innerRadius+attenuationWidth<2.0*PATHFIND_CELL_SIZE_F + 1.0f || m_3DScene == NULL) {
 		return; // it basically won't make any visual difference.  jba.
 	}
 	W3DDynamicLight * theDynamicLight = m_3DScene->getADynamicLight();
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameClient/W3DTerrainVisual.cpp b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameClient/W3DTerrainVisual.cpp
index 41b22b57fa..8f2ffea548 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameClient/W3DTerrainVisual.cpp
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameClient/W3DTerrainVisual.cpp
@@ -232,22 +232,24 @@ void W3DTerrainVisual::init( void )
 	m_terrainRenderObject->Set_Collision_Type( PICK_TYPE_TERRAIN );
 	TheTerrainRenderObject = m_terrainRenderObject;
 
-	// initialize track drawing system
-	TheTerrainTracksRenderObjClassSystem = NEW TerrainTracksRenderObjClassSystem;
-	TheTerrainTracksRenderObjClassSystem->init(W3DDisplay::m_3DScene);
+	if (!TheGlobalData->m_headless)
+	{
+		// initialize track drawing system
+		TheTerrainTracksRenderObjClassSystem = NEW TerrainTracksRenderObjClassSystem;
+		TheTerrainTracksRenderObjClassSystem->init(W3DDisplay::m_3DScene);
 
-	// initialize object shadow drawing system
-	TheW3DShadowManager = NEW W3DShadowManager;
- 	TheW3DShadowManager->init();
+		// initialize object shadow drawing system
+		TheW3DShadowManager = NEW W3DShadowManager;
+ 		TheW3DShadowManager->init();
 	
-	// create a water plane render object
-	TheWaterRenderObj=m_waterRenderObject = NEW_REF( WaterRenderObjClass, () );
-	m_waterRenderObject->init(TheGlobalData->m_waterPositionZ, TheGlobalData->m_waterExtentX, TheGlobalData->m_waterExtentY, W3DDisplay::m_3DScene, (WaterRenderObjClass::WaterType)TheGlobalData->m_waterType);	//create a water plane that's 128x128 units
-	m_waterRenderObject->Set_Position(Vector3(TheGlobalData->m_waterPositionX,TheGlobalData->m_waterPositionY,TheGlobalData->m_waterPositionZ));	//place water in world
+		// create a water plane render object
+		TheWaterRenderObj=m_waterRenderObject = NEW_REF( WaterRenderObjClass, () );
+		m_waterRenderObject->init(TheGlobalData->m_waterPositionZ, TheGlobalData->m_waterExtentX, TheGlobalData->m_waterExtentY, W3DDisplay::m_3DScene, (WaterRenderObjClass::WaterType)TheGlobalData->m_waterType);	//create a water plane that's 128x128 units
+		m_waterRenderObject->Set_Position(Vector3(TheGlobalData->m_waterPositionX,TheGlobalData->m_waterPositionY,TheGlobalData->m_waterPositionZ));	//place water in world
 
-	// create smudge rendering system.
-	TheSmudgeManager = NEW(W3DSmudgeManager);
-	TheSmudgeManager->init();
+		// create smudge rendering system.
+		TheSmudgeManager = NEW(W3DSmudgeManager);
+		TheSmudgeManager->init();
 
 #ifdef DO_UNIT_TIMINGS
 #pragma MESSAGE("********************* WARNING- Doing UNIT TIMINGS. ")
@@ -261,10 +263,11 @@ void W3DTerrainVisual::init( void )
 			W3DDisplay::m_3DScene->Add_Render_Object( m_waterRenderObject);
 		}
 #endif
-	if (TheGlobalData->m_useCloudPlane)
-		m_waterRenderObject->toggleCloudLayer(true);
-	else
-		m_waterRenderObject->toggleCloudLayer(false);
+		if (TheGlobalData->m_useCloudPlane)
+			m_waterRenderObject->toggleCloudLayer(true);
+		else
+			m_waterRenderObject->toggleCloudLayer(false);
+	}
 
 	// set the vertex animated water properties
 	Int waterSettingIndex = 0;  // use index 0 settings by default
@@ -634,7 +637,7 @@ Bool W3DTerrainVisual::load( AsciiString filename )
 	}
 
 
-	RefRenderObjListIterator *it = W3DDisplay::m_3DScene->createLightsIterator();
+	RefRenderObjListIterator *it = W3DDisplay::m_3DScene ? W3DDisplay::m_3DScene->createLightsIterator() : NULL;
 	// apply the heightmap to the terrain render object
 
 #ifdef DO_SEISMIC_SIMULATIONS
@@ -655,13 +658,17 @@ Bool W3DTerrainVisual::load( AsciiString filename )
 	 it = NULL;
 	}
 	// add our terrain render object to the scene
-	W3DDisplay::m_3DScene->Add_Render_Object( m_terrainRenderObject );
+	if (W3DDisplay::m_3DScene != NULL)
+		W3DDisplay::m_3DScene->Add_Render_Object( m_terrainRenderObject );
 
 #if defined _DEBUG || defined _INTERNAL
 	// Icon drawing utility object for pathfinding.
-	W3DDebugIcons *icons = NEW W3DDebugIcons;
- 	W3DDisplay::m_3DScene->Add_Render_Object( icons );
-	icons->Release_Ref(); // belongs to scene.
+	if (W3DDisplay::m_3DScene != NULL)
+	{
+		W3DDebugIcons *icons = NEW W3DDebugIcons;
+ 		W3DDisplay::m_3DScene->Add_Render_Object( icons );
+		icons->Release_Ref(); // belongs to scene.
+	}
 #endif
 
 #ifdef DO_UNIT_TIMINGS
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameClient/W3DView.cpp b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameClient/W3DView.cpp
index 906ebb2c1a..332947c69c 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameClient/W3DView.cpp
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameClient/W3DView.cpp
@@ -616,7 +616,7 @@ void W3DView::setCameraTransform( void )
 	buildCameraTransform( &cameraTransform );
 	m_3DCamera->Set_Transform( cameraTransform );
 
-	if (TheTerrainRenderObject) 
+	if (TheTerrainRenderObject && W3DDisplay::m_3DScene != NULL) 
 	{
 		RefRenderObjListIterator *it = W3DDisplay::m_3DScene->createLightsIterator();
 		TheTerrainRenderObject->updateCenter(m_3DCamera, it);
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameLogic/W3DGhostObject.cpp b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameLogic/W3DGhostObject.cpp
index 0af9735af9..645ae89227 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameLogic/W3DGhostObject.cpp
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameLogic/W3DGhostObject.cpp
@@ -155,7 +155,8 @@ void W3DRenderObjectSnapshot::update(RenderObjClass *robj, DrawableInfo *drawInf
 // ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 void W3DRenderObjectSnapshot::addToScene(void)
 {
-	((SimpleSceneClass *)W3DDisplay::m_3DScene)->Add_Render_Object(m_robj);
+	if (W3DDisplay::m_3DScene != NULL)
+		((SimpleSceneClass *)W3DDisplay::m_3DScene)->Add_Render_Object(m_robj);
 }
 
 // ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -457,7 +458,7 @@ void W3DGhostObject::restoreParentObject(void)
 				//removed by the ghost object manager, so restore it.  If we have a render
 				//object that is in the scene, then it was probably added because the model
 				//changed while the object was ghosted (for damage states, garrison, etc.).
-				if (robj->Peek_Scene() == NULL)
+				if (robj->Peek_Scene() == NULL && W3DDisplay::m_3DScene != NULL)
 					((SimpleSceneClass *)W3DDisplay::m_3DScene)->Add_Render_Object(robj);
 			}
 		}
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameLogic/W3DTerrainLogic.cpp b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameLogic/W3DTerrainLogic.cpp
index 8682b13c2d..e3d44ce007 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameLogic/W3DTerrainLogic.cpp
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngineDevice/Source/W3DDevice/GameLogic/W3DTerrainLogic.cpp
@@ -281,6 +281,8 @@ Real W3DTerrainLogic::getGroundHeight( Real x, Real y, Coord3D* normal ) const
 {
 #define USE_THE_TERRAIN_OBJECT
 #ifdef USE_THE_TERRAIN_OBJECT
+	// TheSuperHackers @logic-client-separation helmutbuhler 04/11/2025
+	// W3DTerrainLogic shouldn't depend on TheTerrainRenderObject!
 	if (TheTerrainRenderObject) 
 	{
 		return TheTerrainRenderObject->getHeightMapHeight(x,y,normal);
@@ -358,7 +360,8 @@ Real W3DTerrainLogic::getLayerHeight( Real x, Real y, PathfindLayerEnum layer, C
 //-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Bool W3DTerrainLogic::isCliffCell( Real x, Real y) const
 {
-
+	// TheSuperHackers @logic-client-separation helmutbuhler 04/11/2025
+	// W3DTerrainLogic shouldn't depend on TheTerrainRenderObject!
 	return TheTerrainRenderObject->isCliffCell(x,y);
 
 }  // end isCliffCell
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/Main/WinMain.cpp b/GeneralsMD/Code/Main/WinMain.cpp
index ca0ffcf603..98850531ea 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/Main/WinMain.cpp
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/Main/WinMain.cpp
@@ -745,8 +745,7 @@ static Bool initializeAppWindows( HINSTANCE hInstance, Int nCmdShow, Bool runWin
 	ShowWindow( hWnd, nCmdShow );
 	UpdateWindow( hWnd );
 
-	// save our application instance and window handle for future use
-	ApplicationHInstance = hInstance;
+	// save our application window handle for future use
 	ApplicationHWnd = hWnd;
 	gInitializing = false;
 	if (!runWindowed) {
@@ -885,13 +884,21 @@ Int APIENTRY WinMain( HINSTANCE hInstance, HINSTANCE hPrevInstance,
 		char * argv[20];
 		argv[0] = NULL;
 
+		Bool headless = false;
+
 		char *token;
 		token = nextParam(lpCmdLine, "\" ");
 		while (argc < 20 && token != NULL) {
 			argv[argc++] = strtrim(token);
+			
 			//added a preparse step for this flag because it affects window creation style
-			if (stricmp(token,"-win")==0)
-				ApplicationIsWindowed=true;
+			if (stricmp(token, "-win") == 0)
+				ApplicationIsWindowed = true;
+
+			// preparse for headless as well. We need to know about this before we create the window.
+			if (stricmp(token, "-headless") == 0)
+				headless = true;
+			
 			token = nextParam(NULL, "\" ");	   
 		}
 
@@ -950,10 +957,12 @@ Int APIENTRY WinMain( HINSTANCE hInstance, HINSTANCE hPrevInstance,
 		gLoadScreenBitmap = (HBITMAP)LoadImage(hInstance, "Install_Final.bmp", IMAGE_BITMAP, 0, 0, LR_SHARED|LR_LOADFROMFILE);
 #endif
 
-
 		// register windows class and create application window
-		if( initializeAppWindows( hInstance, nCmdShow, ApplicationIsWindowed) == false )
+		if(!headless && initializeAppWindows(hInstance, nCmdShow, ApplicationIsWindowed) == false)
 			return 0;
+		
+		// save our application instance for future use
+		ApplicationHInstance = hInstance;
 
 		if (gLoadScreenBitmap!=NULL) {
 			::DeleteObject(gLoadScreenBitmap);