The 20 FPS Report That Changed Everything
A player ran The Agency on a 2015 laptop with 4GB RAM. They posted a screenshot showing 20 FPS in the multiplayer lobby. We knew low-end machines struggled, but we didn't know how much until we saw that number. That single post started a conversation we couldn't ignore.
We replied asking for details. They listed their specs: an old Intel integrated GPU, 4GB of RAM, and a hard drive that spun for days. They also wrote exactly what felt heavy. Shadows, the map geometry, and the post-processing effects we'd added for polish. It wasn't a complaint. It was a diagnosis.
That player didn't stop at reporting. They suggested we cut shadows entirely, simplify the map geometry, and lower the texture resolution. They even offered to test any patch we built. We took them up on it. Within a week, we had a performance version ready.
We measured the difference on their exact machine. The same laptop that ran 20 FPS hit 60 FPS after the changes. That test proved what we'd suspected: performance was about smart cuts, not just better hardware. It also proved that our community knows their machines better than we do.
The patch is live now. Every player on a low-end rig benefits from what one person saw. That player's laptop became our benchmark, and their feedback became our roadmap for optimization. They didn't just report a problem. They helped us fix it.
We learned that performance isn't about chasing the highest graphics. It's about making sure everyone can play. That player's 20 FPS report changed how we approach every future update. Now we test on low-end machines before we ship anything new.
You Did the QA We Couldn't Afford
We're a small student team. We don't have a QA team or a lab full of test machines. What we have is a community that plays on everything from gaming rigs to decade-old laptops. When that player posted their 20 FPS report, we realized we had access to a testing pool we couldn't have paid for.
So we asked for help. We put out a call for players with low-end systems to test the performance patch before we shipped it. Forty-seven players responded. They tested on machines we'd never seen: 2013 netbooks, office desktops with integrated graphics, and laptops with 4GB RAM. Each one sent back frame rates, crash logs, and suggestions.
That 47-person test group caught things we missed. One player noted that the loading screen stuttered because we were decompressing too many assets at once. Another found that the DOMINION RTS mode slowed down when too many units were on screen. Each report became a fix. We shipped the patch only after the test group gave it a thumbs up.
The result: The Agency now runs at 60 FPS on machines that previously struggled to hit 20. Players with low-end rigs can finally enjoy the same smooth experience as those with high-end setups. And we did it without spending money on QA. Our community did that work.
This isn't a one-time thing. We've built a feedback loop where players test early and often. The performance patch was the first big test, but it won't be the last. We're already planning to ask for testers on future updates.
Every player who submitted a frame rate or a crash log made this happen. That's the kind of collaboration we want to version. You're not just players. You're part of the dev team.
Your Machine Told Us What to Prioritize
Before the 20 FPS report, we were focused on adding new features. The idea board had a grappling hook proposal and a new map in the works. But one screenshot on a school laptop shifted our entire priority list. Performance became the top item.
We cut shadows. We simplified map geometry. We reduced the number of dynamic lights. We also changed how we load textures. Each change was direct feedback from players who tested the patch. We didn't guess. We let the data from your machines guide us.
One player on a 2016 laptop told us they'd rather have lower resolution but stable frame rates than dropouts. Another suggested we add a performance mode toggle. We shipped that toggle with the patch. It's now a permanent option in the settings menu.
We also learned that some players are on machines with only 4GB RAM. That's not enough for high-res textures and complex scenes. So we optimized memory usage, reducing the footprint by a quarter on some maps. Those changes might not be flashy, but they matter.
The performance patch is live now. Play The Agency on your school laptop, your old office PC, or your budget notebook. If it runs at 60 FPS, it's because your feedback shaped the priorities. We didn't add new toys. We fixed the foundation.
We're not stopping here. We're keeping performance on the roadmap because your machines tell us what's important. Next week, we'll release a new performance analysis tool that shows your frame rate and CPU usage. That tool will let us fine-tune even more based on your data.
What the Performance Patch Means for You
The performance patch is live for everyone. If you play on a low-end machine, you'll notice the difference immediately. The game now runs at 60 FPS on devices that previously crawled. That's a huge win for anyone with a laptop that's seen better days.
We also added a new settings preset called 'Low-End Optimized.' It's designed for machines with 4GB RAM or less. It turns off shadows, reduces draw distance, and lowers texture quality. You can still see enemies and objectives clearly, but the game won't struggle to run.
One player on a 2013 ThinkPad tested the preset and reported a stable 50-60 FPS on most maps. That's up from 15 FPS before the patch. They said the game finally feels responsive. That's exactly what we wanted.
We know some players worry that lower settings mean a worse experience. But many testers told us that stable performance is more important than fancy graphics. We listened. Now you can choose how you want to play.
If you haven't played since the patch, give it another try. Load up the RUSH wave survival mode or hop into a multiplayer room. You might be surprised how smooth it feels on your hardware.
Your Next Report Could Be the Next Patch
The 20 FPS report came from one player who decided to show us what they saw. That single post led to a patch that improved performance for thousands of players. Imagine what could happen if more players shared their experiences.
We're asking everyone to report performance issues you encounter. If you see frame drops, stuttering, or crashes, let us know. Include your hardware specs and what you were doing in the game. That information is gold to us.
You can report directly on our Discord server or through the feedback form in the game. We read every report. We might not reply to all of them, but we do read them. Your details help us reproduce the issue on our side.
We're also planning to run more performance tests in the future, like the one with the 47 low-end rigs. If you have an older machine and want to participate, keep an eye on our announcements. You could shape the next patch.
The Agency is free to play in your browser, with no download and no credit card. It's accessible to anyone with a decent internet connection. And now, it's accessible to anyone with a laptop that isn't top-of-the-line.