Black hole thermodynamics gives us a concrete test bench for emergent gravity. Well-established signatures: area‑law entropy, horizon‑localized information, and geometry constrained by quantum correlations already anchor entanglement‑based and holographic gravity models in theoretical physics. When we force lattice models to reproduce analogues of these signatures (area laws for entropy distribution, horizon‑like bands, and Hawking‑style information leakage channels), they become quantitatively calibratable rather than hand‑wavy. If the same local coupling rules that pass these black‑hole tests also organize HVTL grid states or fusion plasma confinement, then we are working with an engineering‑grade emergent‑gravity framework, not just a suggestive metaphor.