What are the system requirements? Why is the game lagging?

Conqora FAQ · updated 2026-10-16

Minimum requirements

• A browser from the last few years with WebGL 2 (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, Opera).
• 4 GB of RAM is enough; 8 GB is comfortable for the largest maps.
• Any GPU, including integrated graphics (Intel UHD and Iris Xe, AMD Radeon integrated, Apple M-series).
• A stable internet connection.

The map, territory and units are drawn by the GPU in a single pass, and the game simulation runs in a background worker with a WebAssembly core, which keeps big late-game matches smooth even on ultrabooks.

If the game feels slow

1. Update your browser. Old versions miss GPU features.
2. Turn on hardware acceleration. In Chrome and Edge: Settings → System → "Use graphics acceleration when available".
3. Plug in your laptop. Battery saver modes cut GPU speed in half on many laptops.
4. Close heavy tabs (video, other games).
5. Check the frame read-out: add ?perf=1 to the address to see how long each frame takes.
6. Zoom out less on giant maps. Very far zoom on the Giant World Map draws more at once.

If the game "lags" (delays, rubber-banding)

That is usually the network, not the computer:

• Prefer Wi-Fi close to the router or a cable over a weak mobile signal.
• Pause big downloads and streams on the same network.
• VPNs can add delay; try without one.

"Worker initialization timeout"

On a slow first load, the game's simulation worker needs time to start. The game now waits up to a minute; if you still see the message, reload the page once (the files are then cached).

Phones

Most phones from the last five years run Conqora well. Older phones are fine on smaller maps; on the Giant World Map they may drop frames late in a match.

Related: no download needed · mobile.

Quick checklist by device

How to check whether WebGL 2 works

Conqora needs WebGL 2. If the game shows an error about graphics or the map stays blank:

1. Make sure your browser is up to date.
2. Turn on hardware acceleration (in Chrome and Edge: Settings, System, "Use graphics acceleration when available"), then restart the browser.
3. Try a different browser on the same machine. If one works and the other doesn't, the problem is that browser's settings.
4. On a work or school computer, graphics features can be restricted by policy. That is a setting only the administrator can change.

Reading the ?perf=1 frame read-out

Add ?perf=1 to the address (conqora.io/?perf=1) and the game shows a frame read-out: how long each frame takes to draw. Use it to tell apart the two kinds of "lag":

• The read-out shows long frames: your device is struggling to draw. Try the steps in "If the game feels slow" above, plug in your laptop, and close other tabs.
• The read-out looks fine but the game feels delayed: that is the network. Units and borders jump or arrive late. Work on the connection instead.

Why it runs on modest hardware

Two design choices keep Conqora smooth on ordinary laptops:

• A GPU map compositor draws the map, territory and units on the graphics chip in a single pass, instead of redrawing thousands of tiles one by one.
• A WebAssembly simulation core in a background worker computes the match, so the page stays responsive even when the late game has many borders moving at once.

The game is tuned for integrated graphics such as Intel Iris Xe, which is why so many people play it on school Chromebooks and thin office laptops.

Performance tips for big late games

The heaviest moment in any match is the late game on a big map, with many players, fleets and nukes. To keep it smooth:

• Zoom to the action. Very far zoom on the Giant World Map draws more at once.
• Use full screen (F). It removes the browser's toolbars and often helps the frame rate too.
• Hide the interface with H when you only need to look at the map.
• Use the terrain view (hold Space) only when you need it.
• Avoid running a video call or stream on the same laptop during ranked games.

Fixing connection problems

Troubleshooting the first load

The first time you open Conqora, the browser downloads the game files and the map you play. On a slow connection that takes a little longer. If you see "Worker initialization timeout", reload once; the files are then cached and the next start is faster. If problems continue:

1. Clear the site data for conqora.io and reload.
2. Disable browser extensions that block scripts or modify pages, then try again.
3. Try a private window to rule out extensions and old cache.

More questions

Can I play Conqora on an old laptop?

If the browser supports WebGL 2 and is up to date, it usually runs. Smaller maps are the easiest; very large maps late in a match ask the most of your graphics.

Does Conqora run on a school Chromebook?

Yes, wherever the school's network and settings allow browser games. It was tuned with integrated graphics in mind.

Do I need a fast internet connection?

A stable one matters more than a fast one. Once the map is loaded, a match only sends players' actions. See no download needed.

Who do I contact if nothing helps?

Write to hupobabo@gmail.com with your device, browser and what you see, ideally with the ?perf=1 read-out.

Related questions

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More answers in the Conqora FAQ and the guides. Updated 2026-10-16.