diff --git a/src/game.rs b/src/game.rs
index 1f1618b..ebc2062 100644
--- a/src/game.rs
+++ b/src/game.rs
@@ -113,9 +113,11 @@ pub fn spawn_character(
 	selected_character_id: &mut Mut<SelectedCharacterId>,
 	character_id_list: &mut Mut<CharacterIdList>,
 	audio: &Res<crossbeam_channel::Sender<AudioMsg>>,
-	transform: Transform,
+	mut transform: Transform,
 	color: Color,
 ) {
+	transform.translation.z = transform.translation.z.max(1.0);
+
 	let character_id = CharacterId(
 		character_id_list
 			.0
@@ -325,6 +327,7 @@ fn move_camera(
 				camera_transform.translation = camera_transform.translation.lerp(transform.translation, time.delta_seconds() * FOLLOW_SPEED);
 				// prevent camera from going too low
 				camera_transform.translation.y = camera_transform.translation.y.max(half_height-MARGIN);
+				camera_transform.translation.z = 999.0;
 			}
 		}
 	}