Community engine requirements
The requirements and loading help below apply to this site's open-source reconstruction. Aethus's original online game has a separate entry and does not use this local data host.
A desktop browser with WebGPU
The community engine's 3D world needs WebGPU, hardware acceleration and an available graphics adapter. Start with a current Chrome or Edge browser on the same Windows PC as your local data host.
The site must load over HTTPS, or localhost during development. A WebGL-only browser cannot run the world in this build.
Check your browser
This checks whether the browser can request a WebGPU graphics adapter. It does not load the game or read your files.
Run the check on the PC you plan to use.
When the community engine will not load
The local host cannot be reached
Keep the PowerShell host window open. Check that it is listening on 127.0.0.1:8090 and that the page is open on the same PC. Restart it using the setup instructions if needed.
The data folder is missing or incomplete
Point the launcher at the Data folder from a WoW 1.12.1 build 5875 client. Other client versions use different data formats. Check the host window for missing-file errors.
The browser blocks the local connection
Use the current site's launcher script or set the host's --allow-origin to this site's exact origin. If your browser shows a local network access prompt, allow it for this page.
No WebGPU adapter is available
Update the browser and your graphics driver, enable hardware acceleration, then fully restart the browser. Some GPUs, remote sessions and virtual machines cannot expose a usable adapter.
The first load takes a while
The browser needs to load the engine and request data from your local host. Leave the host running. Check the game launcher and host window for progress or errors before reloading.
If the community engine feels laggy
Try the browser at a 60 Hz display setting. The upstream browser build uses a single WebAssembly thread, so visible-world detail can matter as much as resolution.
The engine accepts performance settings in the play URL. A lower render scale reduces GPU work; lower view distance and world detail can reduce CPU work.
/play?renderScale=0.75&farclip=200&worlddetail=0These are engine settings from the upstream browser documentation, not a guaranteed frame-rate fix. If the browser reports no WebGPU adapter, lowering detail will not supply one.
Android, iPhone & Steam Deck
This package supplies a Windows local data host and uses keyboard and mouse controls. It does not provide an Android app, iOS app or touch-control layout.
The requirements of Aethus's original online game are independent of this Windows package. Playing the original successfully does not establish support for this browser reconstruction.
For this distribution, use a Windows PC for both the local data host and browser. Alternative operating systems require their own source build and testing.
Sound, storage & camera
Sound starts after a click or keypress because browsers suspend audio before a user gesture. Use the mouse wheel to zoom; press C to unlock the camera.
The remembered character selection belongs to this browser and site. Clearing site data can reset it. Do not assume that progression from the original Aethus game will transfer to this reconstruction.
Reference: upstream browser requirements and performance notes.