diff --git a/src/levels/hints/levelHintSystem.ts b/src/levels/hints/levelHintSystem.ts
index c63e721..9f836b0 100644
--- a/src/levels/hints/levelHintSystem.ts
+++ b/src/levels/hints/levelHintSystem.ts
@@ -146,6 +146,16 @@ export class LevelHintSystem {
         }
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Trigger mission brief shown hints - call when mission brief is displayed
+     */
+    public triggerMissionBriefShown(): void {
+        const hints = this._hints.filter(h => h.eventType === 'mission_brief_shown');
+        for (const hint of hints) {
+            this.queueHint(hint);
+        }
+    }
+
     /**
      * Queue a hint for audio playback
      */
diff --git a/src/levels/level1.ts b/src/levels/level1.ts
index 9cfe6b5..5406581 100644
--- a/src/levels/level1.ts
+++ b/src/levels/level1.ts
@@ -239,6 +239,9 @@ export class Level1 implements Level {
             inputManager.enableShipControls("MissionBrief");
             this.startGameplay();
         });
+
+        // Trigger mission brief hints (e.g., welcome_rookie audio)
+        this._hintSystem?.triggerMissionBriefShown();
     }
 
     /**
diff --git a/src/services/hintService.ts b/src/services/hintService.ts
index 460036e..1c31586 100644
--- a/src/services/hintService.ts
+++ b/src/services/hintService.ts
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import log from '../core/logger';
 export interface HintEntry {
     id: string;
     levelId: string;
-    eventType: 'ship_status' | 'asteroid_destroyed' | 'collision';
+    eventType: 'ship_status' | 'asteroid_destroyed' | 'collision' | 'mission_brief_shown';
     eventConfig: Record<string, unknown>;
     audioUrl: string;
     playMode: 'once' | 'always';
diff --git a/src/ui/hud/missionBrief.ts b/src/ui/hud/missionBrief.ts
index bcaaa97..2a0267e 100644
--- a/src/ui/hud/missionBrief.ts
+++ b/src/ui/hud/missionBrief.ts
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import {
 } from "@babylonjs/gui";
 import { DefaultScene } from "../../core/defaultScene";
 import {MeshBuilder, Vector3, Observable, Observer} from "@babylonjs/core";
-import type { AudioEngineV2, StaticSound } from "@babylonjs/core";
+import type { AudioEngineV2 } from "@babylonjs/core";
 import log from '../../core/logger';
 import { LevelConfig } from "../../levels/config/levelConfig";
 import { CloudLevelEntry } from "../../services/cloudLevelService";
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@ export class MissionBrief {
     private _onStartCallback: (() => void) | null = null;
     private _triggerObserver: Observer<void> | null = null;
     private _audioEngine: AudioEngineV2 | null = null;
-    private _currentSound: StaticSound | null = null;
 
     /**
      * Initialize the mission brief as a fullscreen overlay
@@ -236,21 +235,6 @@ export class MissionBrief {
         this._container.isVisible = true;
         this._isVisible = true;
 
-        // Play mission brief audio if specified
-        if (directoryEntry?.missionBriefAudio && this._audioEngine) {
-            log.info('[MissionBrief] Playing audio:', directoryEntry.missionBriefAudio);
-            this._audioEngine.createSoundAsync(
-                "missionBriefAudio",
-                directoryEntry.missionBriefAudio,
-                { loop: false, volume: 1.0 }
-            ).then(sound => {
-                this._currentSound = sound;
-                sound.play();
-            }).catch(err => {
-                log.error('[MissionBrief] Failed to load audio:', err);
-            });
-        }
-
         log.info('[MissionBrief] ========== CONTAINER NOW VISIBLE ==========');
         log.info('[MissionBrief] Container.isVisible:', this._container.isVisible);
         log.info('[MissionBrief] _isVisible flag:', this._isVisible);
@@ -317,10 +301,6 @@ export class MissionBrief {
      * Clean up resources
      */
     public dispose(): void {
-        if (this._currentSound) {
-            this._currentSound.dispose();
-            this._currentSound = null;
-        }
         if (this._advancedTexture) {
             this._advancedTexture.dispose();
             this._advancedTexture = null;