diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 987111b..1c7e6b3 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "kernel-panic",
-  "version": "0.2.9",
+  "version": "0.2.9-balance",
   "description": "Turn-based cyberpunk roguelike PWA (ASCII-plus terminal aesthetic)",
   "main": "index.html",
   "type": "module",
diff --git a/sw-dev.js b/sw-dev.js
index c1a4ca8..49a9bad 100644
--- a/sw-dev.js
+++ b/sw-dev.js
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 // Service Worker for Kernel Panic - Development Version
-const VERSION = '0.2.9-dev';
+const VERSION = '0.2.9a-dev';
 importScripts(`/sw-core.js?v=${VERSION}`);
 
 const cacheConfig = CacheConfig.create(VERSION);
diff --git a/sw.js b/sw.js
index 1b84541..702761e 100644
--- a/sw.js
+++ b/sw.js
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 // Service Worker for Kernel Panic - Production Version
 // Import shared caching core with cache-busting query parameter
-const VERSION = '0.2.9';
+const VERSION = '0.2.9a';
 importScripts(`/sw-core.js?v=${VERSION}`);
 
 const cacheConfig = CacheConfig.create(VERSION);