diff --git a/src/simulator/crates/mc-core/src/lib.rs b/src/simulator/crates/mc-core/src/lib.rs
index 1607595b..d0ad09bb 100644
--- a/src/simulator/crates/mc-core/src/lib.rs
+++ b/src/simulator/crates/mc-core/src/lib.rs
@@ -74,9 +74,11 @@ pub use expertise::{ExpertiseTier, ParseExpertiseTierError, ALL as EXPERTISE_TIE
 /// Static RwLock<HashMap> so it is populated once at boot and read-only after.
 /// Names are the logical keys (e.g. "promotions", "treaty_rules").
 use std::collections::HashMap;
-use std::sync::RwLock;
+use std::sync::{LazyLock, RwLock};
 
-static CONTENT_REGISTRY: RwLock<HashMap<String, Vec<u8>>> = RwLock::new(HashMap::new());
+/// Static via LazyLock (the `new` for HashMap/RwLock is not const in static context).
+static CONTENT_REGISTRY: LazyLock<RwLock<HashMap<String, Vec<u8>>>> =
+    LazyLock::new(|| RwLock::new(HashMap::new()));
 
 /// Load content bytes under `name`. Overwrites if re-called.
 pub fn load_content(name: &str, bytes: Vec<u8>) {
diff --git a/src/simulator/crates/mc-player-api/src/lib.rs b/src/simulator/crates/mc-player-api/src/lib.rs
index 93acfaf9..d46d4ea3 100644
--- a/src/simulator/crates/mc-player-api/src/lib.rs
+++ b/src/simulator/crates/mc-player-api/src/lib.rs
@@ -63,46 +63,46 @@ pub fn load_default_content() {
     // Promotions (used by mc-combat for XP/heal and registry).
     mc_core::load_content_static(
         "promotions",
-        include_bytes!("../../../../../../public/resources/promotions/promotions.json"),
+        include_bytes!("../../../../../public/resources/promotions/promotions.json"),
     );
     // Treaty rules (mc-trade).
     mc_core::load_content_static(
         "treaty_rules",
-        include_bytes!("../../../../../../public/resources/diplomacy/treaty_rules.json"),
+        include_bytes!("../../../../../public/resources/diplomacy/treaty_rules.json"),
     );
     // Freepeople (mc-trade).
     mc_core::load_content_static(
         "freepeople",
-        include_bytes!("../../../../../../public/resources/ai/freepeople/freepeople.json"),
+        include_bytes!("../../../../../public/resources/ai/freepeople/freepeople.json"),
     );
     // Awards (mc-replay tests, but useful).
     mc_core::load_content_static(
         "awards",
-        include_bytes!("../../../../../../public/games/age-of-dwarves/data/awards.json"),
+        include_bytes!("../../../../../public/games/age-of-dwarves/data/awards.json"),
     );
     // Score config.
     mc_core::load_content_static(
         "score",
-        include_bytes!("../../../../../../public/games/age-of-dwarves/data/score.json"),
+        include_bytes!("../../../../../public/games/age-of-dwarves/data/score.json"),
     );
     // Resources.
     mc_core::load_content_static(
         "resources",
-        include_bytes!("../../../../../../public/resources/resources.json"),
+        include_bytes!("../../../../../public/resources/resources.json"),
     );
     // Combat balance (already has its path, but for registry).
     mc_core::load_content_static(
         "combat_balance",
-        include_bytes!("../../../../../../public/games/age-of-dwarves/data/combat_balance.json"),
+        include_bytes!("../../../../../public/games/age-of-dwarves/data/combat_balance.json"),
     );
     // Ecology traits.
     mc_core::load_content_static(
         "biome_trait_weights",
-        include_bytes!("../../../../../../public/resources/ecology/traits/biome_trait_weights.json"),
+        include_bytes!("../../../../../public/resources/ecology/traits/biome_trait_weights.json"),
     );
     mc_core::load_content_static(
         "flavor",
-        include_bytes!("../../../../../../public/resources/ecology/traits/flavor.json"),
+        include_bytes!("../../../../../public/resources/ecology/traits/flavor.json"),
     );
 }