Optimize Three.js Games
Measure before changing behavior, then validate the same gameplay path after every optimization.
Establish a repeatable scene
Choose a deterministic representative encounter and record device, viewport, quality level, player position, enemies, active effects, frame-time sample, draw calls, triangles, texture count, and warnings. Compare like with like.
Diagnose the limiting side
- Suspect CPU when simulation, allocations, React work, pathfinding, or per-frame scans grow with actors.
- Suspect GPU when resolution, overdraw, shadows, transparent particles, post-processing, draw calls, geometry, or texture bandwidth dominate.
- Inspect before optimizing; do not lower quality blindly.
Apply low-risk fixes first
Reuse geometry/materials, pool transient effects, cull inactive/offscreen work, throttle noncritical UI updates, cap particle counts, avoid per-frame allocation, and update only changed transforms. Keep render quality settings explicit and reversible. Degrade decorative effects before combat readability or controls.
Guard the result
Re-run the original encounter and verify frame time, visual correctness, collision/contact behavior, memory stability, mobile controls, reduced motion, and console health. Close temporary servers, benchmarks, and browser tabs once they are no longer needed.
1---2name: optimize-threejs-games3description: Profile, diagnose, and improve Three.js or WebGL game performance without regressing gameplay. Use for frame-time drops, CPU/GPU pressure, draw calls, texture and geometry budgets, animation loops, adaptive quality, mobile performance, and browser performance verification.4---5
6# Optimize Three.js Games
7
8Measure before changing behavior, then validate the same gameplay path after every optimization.
9
10## Establish a repeatable scene
11
12Choose a deterministic representative encounter and record device, viewport, quality level, player position, enemies, active effects, frame-time sample, draw calls, triangles, texture count, and warnings. Compare like with like.
13
14## Diagnose the limiting side
15
16- Suspect CPU when simulation, allocations, React work, pathfinding, or per-frame scans grow with actors.
17- Suspect GPU when resolution, overdraw, shadows, transparent particles, post-processing, draw calls, geometry, or texture bandwidth dominate.
18- Inspect before optimizing; do not lower quality blindly.
19
20## Apply low-risk fixes first
21
22Reuse geometry/materials, pool transient effects, cull inactive/offscreen work, throttle noncritical UI updates, cap particle counts, avoid per-frame allocation, and update only changed transforms. Keep render quality settings explicit and reversible. Degrade decorative effects before combat readability or controls.
23
24## Guard the result
25
26Re-run the original encounter and verify frame time, visual correctness, collision/contact behavior, memory stability, mobile controls, reduced motion, and console health. Close temporary servers, benchmarks, and browser tabs once they are no longer needed.
gabrielmoreira