diff --git a/assets/theme-v2/css/tables.css b/assets/theme-v2/css/tables.css
index 8289fd805..ae4dc414e 100644
--- a/assets/theme-v2/css/tables.css
+++ b/assets/theme-v2/css/tables.css
@@ -115,9 +115,10 @@ td {
   cursor: pointer
 }
 
-.data-table [data-game-active-cell="true"] {
-  box-shadow: inset var(--space-3) 0 0 var(--gold);
-  border-bottom-color: var(--gold-border-muted)
+.data-table [data-game-toggle][aria-current="true"] {
+  border-color: var(--gold);
+  background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--gold) 18%, var(--panel-soft));
+  box-shadow: inset 0 0 0 1px var(--gold-border-muted)
 }
 
 .idea-board-idea-label {
diff --git a/docs_build/dev/reports/PR_26174_ALFA_018-game-selection-button-state.md b/docs_build/dev/reports/PR_26174_ALFA_018-game-selection-button-state.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..cb4c0d692
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs_build/dev/reports/PR_26174_ALFA_018-game-selection-button-state.md
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+# PR_26174_ALFA_018-game-selection-button-state
+
+## Summary
+
+Moved Game Hub selected-game indication to the game button only.
+
+## Implementation
+
+- Removed active-game markers from parent rows.
+- Removed active-game markers from parent table cells.
+- Replaced the left-border cell highlight with selected styling on the game button.
+- Removed the `Selected {game}.` status log update when selecting a game row.
+- Preserved child row behavior so Source Idea and Readiness Output follow the selected game.
+- Added targeted Playwright assertions for one selected button, unchanged sibling columns, child row movement, and no selected status copy.
+
+## Scope Control
+
+- Preserved the existing API/service contract.
+- Preserved the Game row parent structure.
+- Preserved Source Idea and Readiness Output child rows/tables.
+- Did not add browser-owned product data.
+- Did not introduce silent fallbacks.
+
+## ZIP
+
+- `tmp/PR_26174_ALFA_018-game-selection-button-state_delta.zip`
diff --git a/docs_build/dev/reports/PR_26174_ALFA_018-game-selection-button-state_branch-validation.txt b/docs_build/dev/reports/PR_26174_ALFA_018-game-selection-button-state_branch-validation.txt
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b3d79a161
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs_build/dev/reports/PR_26174_ALFA_018-game-selection-button-state_branch-validation.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+Branch validation: PASS
+
+Branch:
+pr/26174-ALFA-018-game-selection-button-state
+
+Base stack branch:
+pr/26174-ALFA-017-game-hub-guest-save-and-crew-cleanup
+
+Checks:
+- Current branch is the ALFA_018 branch: PASS
+- Worktree was clean before ALFA_018 edits: PASS
+- Scope limited to Game Hub selection state, targeted Playwright coverage, and required reports: PASS
+- No protected Project Instructions changes: PASS
+- No merge to main performed: PASS
diff --git a/docs_build/dev/reports/PR_26174_ALFA_018-game-selection-button-state_manual-validation-notes.txt b/docs_build/dev/reports/PR_26174_ALFA_018-game-selection-button-state_manual-validation-notes.txt
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..85f5d6781
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs_build/dev/reports/PR_26174_ALFA_018-game-selection-button-state_manual-validation-notes.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+Manual validation notes: PASS
+
+- Reviewed `docs_build/dev/ProjectInstructions/addendums/table_first_ui.md`.
+- Confirmed selected state remains on the game button through `aria-current`.
+- Confirmed parent rows no longer receive active attributes.
+- Confirmed cells no longer receive active markers.
+- Confirmed the old left-border cell selector was removed.
+- Confirmed selecting another game leaves only one selected game button.
+- Confirmed Source Idea and Readiness Output child rows move with the selected game.
+- Confirmed the bottom status area no longer receives `Selected {game}.` when a game row is selected.
diff --git a/docs_build/dev/reports/PR_26174_ALFA_018-game-selection-button-state_requirement-checklist.txt b/docs_build/dev/reports/PR_26174_ALFA_018-game-selection-button-state_requirement-checklist.txt
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..43fd997cb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs_build/dev/reports/PR_26174_ALFA_018-game-selection-button-state_requirement-checklist.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+Requirement checklist: PASS
+
+- Selected game is indicated only by the Game button: PASS
+- Row-level selection indicators removed: PASS
+- Left border highlight removed: PASS
+- Row background highlight removed: PASS
+- Cell background highlights removed: PASS
+- Purpose, Status, and Actions columns remain visually identical for all rows: PASS
+- Only one game may be selected at a time: PASS
+- Selecting a different game moves selected styling to that game button: PASS
+- Child rows continue to follow the selected game: PASS
+- Follow table_first_ui.md: PASS
+- Removed selected-game status copy from bottom status area: PASS
diff --git a/docs_build/dev/reports/PR_26174_ALFA_018-game-selection-button-state_validation-lane.txt b/docs_build/dev/reports/PR_26174_ALFA_018-game-selection-button-state_validation-lane.txt
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..edd65a9f8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs_build/dev/reports/PR_26174_ALFA_018-game-selection-button-state_validation-lane.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+Validation lane: PASS
+
+Commands:
+- `git diff --check -- toolbox/game-hub/game-hub.js assets/theme-v2/css/tables.css tests/playwright/tools/GameHubMockRepository.spec.mjs`
+  - PASS
+- `node --check toolbox/game-hub/game-hub.js`
+  - PASS
+- `npx playwright test tests/playwright/tools/GameHubMockRepository.spec.mjs -g "Game Hub"`
+  - PASS, 11 passed
+
+Generated coverage reports were restored after Playwright validation to keep this PR scoped.
diff --git a/docs_build/dev/reports/codex_changed_files.txt b/docs_build/dev/reports/codex_changed_files.txt
index f7be6c46d..6ae3f1e60 100644
--- a/docs_build/dev/reports/codex_changed_files.txt
+++ b/docs_build/dev/reports/codex_changed_files.txt
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
-docs_build/dev/reports/PR_26174_ALFA_017-game-hub-guest-save-and-crew-cleanup.md
-docs_build/dev/reports/PR_26174_ALFA_017-game-hub-guest-save-and-crew-cleanup_branch-validation.txt
-docs_build/dev/reports/PR_26174_ALFA_017-game-hub-guest-save-and-crew-cleanup_manual-validation-notes.txt
-docs_build/dev/reports/PR_26174_ALFA_017-game-hub-guest-save-and-crew-cleanup_requirement-checklist.txt
-docs_build/dev/reports/PR_26174_ALFA_017-game-hub-guest-save-and-crew-cleanup_validation-lane.txt
+assets/theme-v2/css/tables.css
+docs_build/dev/reports/PR_26174_ALFA_018-game-selection-button-state.md
+docs_build/dev/reports/PR_26174_ALFA_018-game-selection-button-state_branch-validation.txt
+docs_build/dev/reports/PR_26174_ALFA_018-game-selection-button-state_manual-validation-notes.txt
+docs_build/dev/reports/PR_26174_ALFA_018-game-selection-button-state_requirement-checklist.txt
+docs_build/dev/reports/PR_26174_ALFA_018-game-selection-button-state_validation-lane.txt
 docs_build/dev/reports/codex_changed_files.txt
 docs_build/dev/reports/codex_review.diff
 tests/playwright/tools/GameHubMockRepository.spec.mjs
 toolbox/game-hub/game-hub.js
-toolbox/game-hub/index.html
diff --git a/docs_build/dev/reports/codex_review.diff b/docs_build/dev/reports/codex_review.diff
index 882ec504b..55044b966 100644
Binary files a/docs_build/dev/reports/codex_review.diff and b/docs_build/dev/reports/codex_review.diff differ
diff --git a/tests/playwright/tools/GameHubMockRepository.spec.mjs b/tests/playwright/tools/GameHubMockRepository.spec.mjs
index 40f1bc19e..7ec3691b8 100644
--- a/tests/playwright/tools/GameHubMockRepository.spec.mjs
+++ b/tests/playwright/tools/GameHubMockRepository.spec.mjs
@@ -290,24 +290,48 @@ test("Game Hub creates, opens, and deletes mock games", async ({ page }) => {
     const demoGameRow = page.locator("[data-game-row='demo-game']");
     await expect(demoGameRow.locator("td")).toHaveText(["Game", "Under Construction", "Edit"]);
     await expect(demoGameRow).not.toContainText("User 1");
-    await expect(demoGameRow).toHaveAttribute("data-game-active", "true");
-    await expect(demoGameRow).toHaveAttribute("aria-current", "true");
-    await expect(demoGameRow.locator("th[data-game-active-cell='true']")).toContainText("Demo Game");
-    const activeCellStyle = await demoGameRow.locator("th[data-game-active-cell='true']").evaluate((cell) => {
-      const styles = getComputedStyle(cell);
-      return {
-        backgroundColor: styles.backgroundColor,
-        boxShadow: styles.boxShadow,
-      };
-    });
-    const inactiveCellBackground = await page.locator("[data-game-row='gravity-demo'] th").evaluate((cell) => getComputedStyle(cell).backgroundColor);
-    expect(activeCellStyle.backgroundColor).toBe(inactiveCellBackground);
-    expect(activeCellStyle.boxShadow).not.toBe("none");
+    await expect(demoGameRow).not.toHaveAttribute("data-game-active", "true");
+    await expect(demoGameRow).not.toHaveAttribute("aria-current", "true");
+    await expect(demoGameRow.locator("th[data-game-active-cell='true']")).toHaveCount(0);
+    await expect(page.locator("[data-game-row][data-game-active='true']")).toHaveCount(0);
+    await expect(page.locator("[data-game-row][aria-current='true']")).toHaveCount(0);
+    await expect(page.locator("[data-game-active-cell='true']")).toHaveCount(0);
+    const rowVisuals = await page.locator("[data-game-row]").evaluateAll((rows) => rows.map((row) => {
+      const cells = Array.from(row.children).slice(1);
+      return cells.map((cell) => {
+        const styles = getComputedStyle(cell);
+        return {
+          backgroundColor: styles.backgroundColor,
+          boxShadow: styles.boxShadow,
+        };
+      });
+    }));
+    expect(rowVisuals[0]).toEqual(rowVisuals[1]);
     await expect(demoGameRow.locator("> .status")).toHaveCount(0);
     await expect(demoGameRow.locator("[data-game-toggle='demo-game']")).toHaveAttribute("aria-expanded", "false");
     await expect(demoGameRow.locator("[data-game-toggle='demo-game']")).not.toHaveClass(/primary/);
     await expect(demoGameRow.locator("[data-game-toggle='demo-game']")).toHaveClass(/\bbtn--compact\b/);
+    await expect(demoGameRow.locator("[data-game-toggle='demo-game']")).toHaveAttribute("data-game-active", "true");
     await expect(demoGameRow.locator("[data-game-toggle='demo-game']")).toHaveAttribute("aria-current", "true");
+    await expect(page.locator("[data-game-toggle][aria-current='true']")).toHaveCount(1);
+    await expect(page.locator("[data-game-toggle][data-game-active='true']")).toHaveCount(1);
+    const activeButtonStyle = await demoGameRow.locator("[data-game-toggle='demo-game']").evaluate((button) => {
+      const styles = getComputedStyle(button);
+      return {
+        backgroundColor: styles.backgroundColor,
+        borderColor: styles.borderColor,
+        boxShadow: styles.boxShadow,
+      };
+    });
+    const inactiveButtonStyle = await page.locator("[data-game-row='gravity-demo'] [data-game-toggle='gravity-demo']").evaluate((button) => {
+      const styles = getComputedStyle(button);
+      return {
+        backgroundColor: styles.backgroundColor,
+        borderColor: styles.borderColor,
+        boxShadow: styles.boxShadow,
+      };
+    });
+    expect(activeButtonStyle).not.toEqual(inactiveButtonStyle);
     await expect(demoGameRow.getByRole("button", { name: "Edit Demo Game" })).toHaveText("Edit");
     await expect(demoGameRow.getByRole("button", { name: "Edit Demo Game" })).not.toHaveClass(/primary/);
     await expect(demoGameRow.getByRole("button", { name: "Edit Demo Game" })).toHaveClass(/\bbtn--compact\b/);
@@ -348,7 +372,10 @@ test("Game Hub creates, opens, and deletes mock games", async ({ page }) => {
     await addGameRow.getByLabel("Status").selectOption("Ready for Testing");
     await addGameRow.getByRole("button", { name: "Save" }).click();
     await expect(page.locator("[data-game-list]")).toContainText("Launch Test Game");
-    await expect(page.locator("[data-game-row='launch-test-game-1']")).toHaveAttribute("data-game-active", "true");
+    await expect(page.locator("[data-game-row='launch-test-game-1']")).not.toHaveAttribute("data-game-active", "true");
+    await expect(page.locator("[data-game-row='launch-test-game-1']")).not.toHaveAttribute("aria-current", "true");
+    await expect(page.locator("[data-game-toggle][aria-current='true']")).toHaveCount(1);
+    await expect(page.locator("[data-game-row='launch-test-game-1'] [data-game-toggle='launch-test-game-1']")).toHaveAttribute("aria-current", "true");
     await expect(page.locator("[data-game-row='launch-test-game-1'] [data-game-toggle='launch-test-game-1']")).not.toHaveClass(/primary/);
     await expect(page.locator("[data-game-row='launch-test-game-1']").getByRole("button", { name: "Edit Launch Test Game" })).not.toHaveClass(/primary/);
     await expect(page.locator("[data-game-row='launch-test-game-1'] td").nth(0)).toHaveText("Learning Game");
@@ -376,14 +403,21 @@ test("Game Hub creates, opens, and deletes mock games", async ({ page }) => {
     await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Add Game" }).click();
     await page.locator("[data-game-add-row='input']").getByLabel("Game").fill("Archive Game");
     await page.locator("[data-game-add-row='input']").getByRole("button", { name: "Save" }).click();
-    await expect(page.locator("[data-game-row='archive-game-2']")).toHaveAttribute("data-game-active", "true");
+    await expect(page.locator("[data-game-row='archive-game-2']")).not.toHaveAttribute("data-game-active", "true");
+    await expect(page.locator("[data-game-row='archive-game-2'] [data-game-toggle='archive-game-2']")).toHaveAttribute("aria-current", "true");
     await expect(page.locator("[data-game-row='archive-game-2'] [data-game-toggle='archive-game-2']")).not.toHaveClass(/primary/);
 
     await page.locator("[data-game-row='launch-test-game-1'] [data-game-toggle='launch-test-game-1']").click();
-    await expect(page.locator("[data-game-row='launch-test-game-1']")).toHaveAttribute("data-game-active", "true");
+    await expect(page.locator("[data-game-row='launch-test-game-1']")).not.toHaveAttribute("data-game-active", "true");
+    await expect(page.locator("[data-game-row='launch-test-game-1'] [data-game-toggle='launch-test-game-1']")).toHaveAttribute("aria-current", "true");
+    await expect(page.locator("[data-game-row='archive-game-2'] [data-game-toggle='archive-game-2']")).not.toHaveAttribute("aria-current", "true");
+    await expect(page.locator("[data-game-toggle][aria-current='true']")).toHaveCount(1);
+    await expect(page.locator("[data-game-toggle][data-game-active='true']")).toHaveCount(1);
+    await expect(page.locator("[data-game-expanded-row='launch-test-game-1']")).toHaveCount(2);
+    await expect(page.locator("[data-game-expanded-row='archive-game-2']")).toHaveCount(0);
     await expect(page.locator("[data-game-row='launch-test-game-1'] [data-game-toggle='launch-test-game-1']")).not.toHaveClass(/primary/);
     await expect(page.locator("[data-game-row='launch-test-game-1']").getByRole("button", { name: "Edit Launch Test Game" })).not.toHaveClass(/primary/);
-    await expect(page.locator("[data-game-hub-log]")).toHaveText("Selected Launch Test Game.");
+    await expect(page.locator("[data-game-hub-log]")).not.toHaveText("Selected Launch Test Game.");
 
     await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Delete Open Game" }).click();
     await expect(page.locator("[data-game-row='launch-test-game-1']")).toHaveCount(0);
diff --git a/toolbox/game-hub/game-hub.js b/toolbox/game-hub/game-hub.js
index e4659f47b..a79c9d7d8 100644
--- a/toolbox/game-hub/game-hub.js
+++ b/toolbox/game-hub/game-hub.js
@@ -482,16 +482,9 @@ function renderGameParentRow(tbody, game, activeGame, progress) {
 
   const row = document.createElement("tr");
   row.dataset.gameRow = game.id;
-  if (active) {
-    row.dataset.gameActive = "true";
-    row.setAttribute("aria-current", "true");
-  }
 
   const nameCell = document.createElement("th");
   nameCell.scope = "row";
-  if (active) {
-    nameCell.dataset.gameActiveCell = "true";
-  }
   nameCell.append(createGameToggleButton(game, expanded, active));
   row.append(
     nameCell,
@@ -731,9 +724,6 @@ elements.gameList?.addEventListener("click", (event) => {
       renderWorkspace();
       return;
     }
-    if (game) {
-      setStatusLog(`Selected ${game.name}.`);
-    }
     state.expandedGameId = state.expandedGameId === toggle.dataset.gameToggle ? "" : toggle.dataset.gameToggle;
     renderWorkspace();
     return;