Optimizing for Zero: Building a High-Performance Browser Runner with No Budget

We have all been there: you have five minutes to kill between tasks, you search for a quick game, and you are immediately met with a 30-second unskippable ad, a request for your email, or a 'limited time offer' for virtual currency. The barrier to entry for casual gaming has become surprisingly high, both in terms of time and cognitive load. As a solo developer, I wanted to see if I could build a project that returned to the roots of web gaming—something fast, accessible, and entirely free. That project became Echo Runner, a browser-based game where the goal is simply to survive and beat your high score. You can see the result here: https://echorunner.getinfotoyou.com. Why Build a 'Free' Game in 2024? The project started as an exercise in accessibility. I wanted to create a value proposition that focused on the user's time. By removing the need for downloads and accounts, the 'cost' of trying the game is reduced to almost zero. However, making something free for the user doesn't mean i