diff --git a/src/client/hud/layers/GraphicsSettingsModal.ts b/src/client/hud/layers/GraphicsSettingsModal.ts
index 7abc39bdd..693f810db 100644
--- a/src/client/hud/layers/GraphicsSettingsModal.ts
+++ b/src/client/hud/layers/GraphicsSettingsModal.ts
@@ -536,7 +536,7 @@ export class GraphicsSettingsModal extends LitElement implements Controller {
   }
 
   private currentClassicNames(): boolean {
-    return this.userSettings.graphicsOverrides().name?.classicFont ?? true;
+    return this.userSettings.graphicsOverrides().name?.classicFont ?? false;
   }
 
   private onToggleClassicNames() {
diff --git a/src/client/render/gl/RenderOverrides.ts b/src/client/render/gl/RenderOverrides.ts
index 46e15f592..eb6f23a7a 100644
--- a/src/client/render/gl/RenderOverrides.ts
+++ b/src/client/render/gl/RenderOverrides.ts
@@ -28,8 +28,8 @@ export function applyGraphicsOverrides(
   if (overrides.structure?.iconSize !== undefined) {
     settings.structure.iconSize = overrides.structure.iconSize;
   }
-  // Name font: Arial (Arimo) MSDF atlas by default; false = overpass.
-  settings.name.classicFont = overrides.name?.classicFont ?? true;
+  // Name font: overpass MSDF by default; true = Arial (Arimo) MSDF.
+  settings.name.classicFont = overrides.name?.classicFont ?? false;
   if (overrides.structure?.classicIcons ?? true) {
     // Classic look (default): lighter player-colored shape behind a darkened
     // player-colored icon glyph (matching the old canvas renderer's
diff --git a/src/client/render/gl/render-settings.json b/src/client/render/gl/render-settings.json
index 9f590af68..1858961ad 100644
--- a/src/client/render/gl/render-settings.json
+++ b/src/client/render/gl/render-settings.json
@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@
     "hoverFadeAlpha": 0.5,
     "hoverGlowWidth": 5,
     "hoverGlowAlpha": 0.75,
-    "classicFont": true
+    "classicFont": false
   },
   "fx": {
     "shockwaveRingWidth": 0.04,