diff --git a/pacman.html b/pacman.html
index 65396d1..b20d22f 100644
--- a/pacman.html
+++ b/pacman.html
@@ -834,42 +834,21 @@
         function handleSpaceButton() {
             console.log('Space button pressed, current game state:', gameState);
             
-            // Force game to start regardless of current state for testing
-            gameState = 'READY';
-            readyTimer = 180;
+            // Simple direct logic - just start the game
+            gameState = 'PLAYING';
             startScreenElement.style.display = 'none';
+            gameOverElement.style.display = 'none';
             resetPositions();
-            soundSystem.play('ready');
-            console.log('Force switched to READY state');
+            
+            console.log('Game started in PLAYING state');
             updateDebugInfo();
             
-            // Original logic (commented out for testing)
-            /*
-            if (gameState === 'ATTRACT') {
-                gameState = 'START';
-                attractModeTimer = 0;
+            // Play sound if available
+            try {
                 soundSystem.play('ready');
-                console.log('Switched to START state');
-            } else if (gameState === 'START') {
-                gameState = 'READY';
-                readyTimer = 180;
-                startScreenElement.style.display = 'none';
-                resetPositions();
-                soundSystem.play('ready');
-                console.log('Switched to READY state');
-            } else if (gameState === 'GAME_OVER') {
-                gameState = 'START';
-                gameOverElement.style.display = 'none';
-                score = 0;
-                lives = 3;
-                currentLevel = 1;
-                updateScore();
-                updateLives();
-                maze = JSON.parse(JSON.stringify(mazeLayout));
-                soundSystem.play('ready');
-                console.log('Restarted game');
+            } catch (e) {
+                console.log('Sound not available:', e);
             }
-            */
         }
         
         // Initialize mobile controls if needed
@@ -899,9 +878,20 @@
             handleSpaceButton();
         };
         
-        // Start with attract mode
-        gameState = 'ATTRACT';
+        // Start with START state instead of ATTRACT for easier testing
+        gameState = 'START';
         attractModeTimer = 0;
+        
+        // Show start screen immediately
+        startScreenElement.style.display = 'block';
+        
+        console.log('Game starting in START state');
+        console.log('Start screen visible:', startScreenElement.style.display);
+        
+        // Test if JavaScript is working
+        alert('JavaScript is loaded! Click OK to continue.');
+        
+        // Start game loop
         gameLoop();
     </script>
 </body>