diff --git a/src/ase.c b/src/ase.c
index 7a425165..aba7408d 100644
--- a/src/ase.c
+++ b/src/ase.c
@@ -647,7 +647,10 @@ struct ase_decode_image_result ase_decode_image(struct arena *arena, struct buff
                     br_seek(&br, sizeof(u8) * 3);
 
                     u16 str_len = br_read_u16(&br);
-                    u8 *str_bytes = br_read_raw(&br, str_len);
+                    u8 *str_bytes = br_seek(&br, str_len);
+                    if (!str_bytes) {
+                        str_len = 0;
+                    }
                     layer->name = (struct string) {
                         str_len,
                         arena_push_array(scratch.arena, u8, str_len)
@@ -898,7 +901,10 @@ struct ase_decode_sheet_result ase_decode_sheet(struct arena *arena, struct buff
                         br_seek(&br, 13);
 
                         u16 str_len = br_read_u16(&br);
-                        u8 *str_bytes = br_read_raw(&br, str_len);
+                        u8 *str_bytes = br_seek(&br, str_len);
+                        if (!str_bytes) {
+                            str_len = 0;
+                        }
                         span->name = (struct string) {
                             str_len,
                             arena_push_array(arena, u8, str_len)
@@ -923,7 +929,10 @@ struct ase_decode_sheet_result ase_decode_sheet(struct arena *arena, struct buff
                     struct string name;
                     {
                         u16 str_len = br_read_u16(&br);
-                        u8 *str_bytes = br_read_raw(&br, str_len);
+                        u8 *str_bytes = br_seek(&br, str_len);
+                        if (!str_bytes) {
+                            str_len = 0;
+                        }
                         name = (struct string) {
                             str_len,
                             arena_push_array(arena, u8, str_len)
diff --git a/src/byteio.c b/src/byteio.c
index 9b50d4b6..f73b5737 100644
--- a/src/byteio.c
+++ b/src/byteio.c
@@ -6,37 +6,73 @@
  * Writer
  * ========================== */
 
-INTERNAL b32 write_check_overflow(struct byte_writer *bw, u64 amount)
+INTERNAL b32 write_check_overflow(struct byte_writer *bw, i64 amount)
 {
     b32 overflowed = bw->overflowed;
-    i64 new_space_left = (bw->at + amount) - (bw->buff.data + bw->buff.size);
-    if (!overflowed && new_space_left < 0) {
-        if (bw->arena) {
-            arena_push_array(bw->arena, u8, -new_space_left);
-            bw->buff.size += -new_space_left;
-            /* Writer memory should be contiguous in arena */
-            ASSERT((bw->buff.data + bw->buff.size) == (bw->arena->base + bw->arena->pos));
-        } else {
-            bw->overflowed = true;
-            overflowed = true;
+    if (overflowed || amount < 0) {
+        overflowed = true;
+        bw->overflowed = true;
+    } else {
+        u8 *end = bw->buff.data + bw->buff.size;
+        u8 *new_pos = bw->at + amount;
+        i64 new_space_left = end - new_pos;
+        if (new_space_left < 0) {
+            struct arena *arena = bw->arena;
+            if (arena) {
+                if ((arena->base + arena->pos) == end) {
+                    arena_push_array(arena, u8, -new_space_left);
+                    bw->buff.size += -new_space_left;
+                } else {
+                    /* Writer memory must be contiguous in arena */
+                    overflowed = true;
+                    bw->overflowed = true;
+                }
+            } else {
+                overflowed = true;
+                bw->overflowed = true;
+            }
         }
     }
     ASSERT(!overflowed);
     return overflowed;
 }
 
-INTERNAL void write_unsafe(struct byte_writer *bw, void *v, u64 size)
+INTERNAL void write(struct byte_writer *bw, void *v, u64 size)
 {
+    if (write_check_overflow(bw, size)) {
+        return;
+    }
     MEMCPY(bw->at, v, size);
     bw->at += size;
 }
 
-INTERNAL void write(struct byte_writer *bw, void *v, u64 size)
+struct byte_writer bw_from_buffer(struct buffer buff)
 {
-    if (write_check_overflow(bw, sizeof(v))) {
-        return;
-    }
-    write_unsafe(bw, v, size);
+    struct byte_writer bw = ZI;
+    bw.buff = buff;
+    bw.at = buff.data;
+    return bw;
+}
+
+/* Returns a writer that will allocate to arena instead of overflowing (writes must stay contiguous in arena) */
+struct byte_writer bw_from_arena(struct arena *arena)
+{
+    struct byte_writer bw = ZI;
+    bw.arena = arena;
+    bw.buff.data = arena->base + arena->pos;
+    bw.buff.size = 0;
+    bw.at = bw.buff.data;
+    return bw;
+}
+
+/* Seeks forward and returns a new writer pointing to the skipped bytes */
+struct byte_writer bw_branch(struct byte_writer *bw, u64 size)
+{
+    struct buffer buff = BUFFER(size, bw->at);
+    struct byte_writer branch = bw_from_buffer(buff);
+    bw_seek(bw, size);
+    branch.overflowed = bw->overflowed;
+    return branch;
 }
 
 void bw_seek(struct byte_writer *bw, u64 amount)
@@ -49,9 +85,8 @@ void bw_seek(struct byte_writer *bw, u64 amount)
 
 void bw_seek_to(struct byte_writer *bw, u64 pos)
 {
-    if (pos > bw->buff.size) {
-        ASSERT(false);
-        bw->overflowed = true;
+    if (write_check_overflow(bw, (i64)pos - (i64)(bw->at - bw->buff.data))) {
+        return;
     }
     bw->at = bw->buff.data + pos;
 }
@@ -113,140 +148,137 @@ void bw_write_var_sint(struct byte_writer *bw, i64 v)
     bw_write_i64(bw, v);
 }
 
+void bw_write_f32(struct byte_writer *bw, f32 v)
+{
+    write(bw, &v, sizeof(v));
+}
+
+void bw_write_f64(struct byte_writer *bw, f64 v)
+{
+    write(bw, &v, sizeof(v));
+}
+
+void bw_write_v2(struct byte_writer *bw, struct v2 v)
+{
+    bw_write_f32(bw, v.x);
+    bw_write_f32(bw, v.y);
+}
+
 /* ========================== *
  * Reader
  * ========================== */
 
-INTERNAL b32 read_check_overflow(struct byte_reader *br, u64 amount)
+INTERNAL b32 read_check_overflow(struct byte_reader *br, i64 amount)
 {
-    if (br->overflowed || br->at + amount > br->buff.data + br->buff.size) {
+    b32 overflowed = br->overflowed;
+    if (overflowed || amount < 0 || (br->at + amount) > (br->buff.data + br->buff.size) ){
         ASSERT(false);
         br->overflowed = true;
-        return true;
+        overflowed = true;
     }
-    return false;
+    return overflowed;
 }
 
-void br_seek(struct byte_reader *br, u64 amount)
-{
-    if (read_check_overflow(br, amount)) {
-        return;
-    }
-    br->at += amount;
-}
-
-void br_seek_to(struct byte_reader *br, u64 pos)
-{
-    if (pos > br->buff.size) {
-        ASSERT(false);
-        br->overflowed = true;
-    }
-    br->at = br->buff.data + pos;
-}
-
-INTERNAL void *read_unsafe(struct byte_reader *br, u64 size)
-{
-    void *prev = br->at;
-    br->at += size;
-    return prev;
-}
-
-/* Will return NULL on overflow */
-void *br_read_raw(struct byte_reader *br, u64 size)
+INTERNAL void read(struct byte_reader *br, void *dst, u64 size)
 {
     if (read_check_overflow(br, size)) {
-        return NULL;
+        MEMZERO(dst, size);
     }
-    return read_unsafe(br, size);
+    MEMCPY(dst, br->at, size);
+    br->at += size;
 }
 
-/* Will not read any data on overflow */
+struct byte_reader br_from_buffer(struct buffer buff)
+{
+    struct byte_reader br = ZI;
+    br.buff = buff;
+    br.at = buff.data;
+    return br;
+}
+
+/* Returns pointer to old position, or NULL on overflow */
+void *br_seek(struct byte_reader *br, u64 amount)
+{
+    void *ptr = NULL;
+    if (read_check_overflow(br, amount)) {
+        return ptr;
+    }
+    ptr = br->at;
+    br->at += amount;
+    return ptr;
+}
+
+/* Returns pointer to old position, or NULL on overflow */
+void *br_seek_to(struct byte_reader *br, u64 pos)
+{
+    void *ptr = NULL;
+    if (read_check_overflow(br, (i64)pos - (i64)(br->at - br->buff.data))) {
+        return ptr;
+    }
+    ptr = br->at;
+    br->at = br->buff.data + pos;
+    return ptr;
+}
+
+/* Will fill buff with zeroes on overflow */
 void br_read_to_buffer(struct byte_reader *br, struct buffer buff)
 {
-    if (read_check_overflow(br, buff.size)) {
-        return;
-    }
-    u8 *bytes = read_unsafe(br, buff.size);
-    MEMCPY(buff.data, bytes, buff.size);
+    read(br, buff.data, buff.size);
 }
 
 u8 br_read_u8(struct byte_reader *br)
 {
-    if (read_check_overflow(br, sizeof(u8))) {
-        return 0;
-    }
-    u8 res = 0;
-    MEMCPY(&res, read_unsafe(br, sizeof(u8)), sizeof(u8));
+    u8 res;
+    read(br, &res, sizeof(res));
     return res;
 }
 
 u16 br_read_u16(struct byte_reader *br)
 {
-    if (read_check_overflow(br, sizeof(u16))) {
-        return 0;
-    }
-    u16 res = 0;
-    MEMCPY(&res, read_unsafe(br, sizeof(u16)), sizeof(u16));
+    u16 res;
+    read(br, &res, sizeof(res));
     return res;
 }
 
 u32 br_read_u32(struct byte_reader *br)
 {
-    if (read_check_overflow(br, sizeof(u32))) {
-        return 0;
-    }
-    u32 res = 0;
-    MEMCPY(&res, read_unsafe(br, sizeof(u32)), sizeof(u32));
+    u32 res;
+    read(br, &res, sizeof(res));
     return res;
 }
 
 u64 br_read_u64(struct byte_reader *br)
 {
-    if (read_check_overflow(br, sizeof(u64))) {
-        return 0;
-    }
-    u64 res = 0;
-    MEMCPY(&res, read_unsafe(br, sizeof(u64)), sizeof(u64));
+    u64 res;
+    read(br, &res, sizeof(res));
     return res;
 }
 
 i8 br_read_i8(struct byte_reader *br)
 {
-    if (read_check_overflow(br, sizeof(i8))) {
-        return 0;
-    }
-    i8 res = 0;
-    MEMCPY(&res, read_unsafe(br, sizeof(i8)), sizeof(i8));
+    i8 res;
+    read(br, &res, sizeof(res));
     return res;
 }
 
 i16 br_read_i16(struct byte_reader *br)
 {
-    if (read_check_overflow(br, sizeof(i16))) {
-        return 0;
-    }
     i16 res = 0;
-    MEMCPY(&res, read_unsafe(br, sizeof(i16)), sizeof(i16));
+    read(br, &res, sizeof(res));
     return res;
 }
 
 i32 br_read_i32(struct byte_reader *br)
 {
-    if (read_check_overflow(br, sizeof(i32))) {
-        return 0;
-    }
     i32 res = 0;
-    MEMCPY(&res, read_unsafe(br, sizeof(i32)), sizeof(i32));
+    read(br, &res, sizeof(res));
     return res;
 }
 
 i64 br_read_i64(struct byte_reader *br)
 {
-    if (read_check_overflow(br, sizeof(i64))) {
-        return 0;
-    }
-    i64 res = 0;
-    MEMCPY(&res, read_unsafe(br, sizeof(i64)), sizeof(i64));
+    i64 res;
+    read(br, &res, sizeof(res));
     return res;
 }
 
@@ -261,3 +293,25 @@ i64 br_read_var_sint(struct byte_reader *br)
     /* TODO: real varint read */
     return br_read_i64(br);
 }
+
+f32 br_read_f32(struct byte_reader *br)
+{
+    f32 res;
+    read(br, &res, sizeof(res));
+    return res;
+}
+
+f64 br_read_f64(struct byte_reader *br)
+{
+    f64 res;
+    read(br, &res, sizeof(res));
+    return res;
+}
+
+struct v2 br_read_v2(struct byte_reader *br)
+{
+    struct v2 res;
+    res.x = br_read_f32(br);
+    res.y = br_read_f32(br);
+    return res;
+}
diff --git a/src/byteio.h b/src/byteio.h
index dea6ac81..3ab67def 100644
--- a/src/byteio.h
+++ b/src/byteio.h
@@ -15,62 +15,12 @@ struct byte_reader {
 };
 
 /* ========================== *
- * Constructor utils
+ * Writer
  * ========================== */
 
-INLINE struct byte_writer bw_from_buffer(struct buffer buff)
-{
-    struct byte_writer bw = ZI;
-    bw.buff = buff;
-    bw.at = buff.data;
-    return bw;
-}
-
-INLINE struct byte_writer bw_from_arena(struct arena *arena)
-{
-    struct byte_writer bw = ZI;
-    bw.arena = arena;
-    bw.buff.data = arena->base;
-    bw.buff.size = 0;
-    bw.at = bw.buff.data;
-    return bw;
-}
-
-INLINE struct byte_reader br_from_buffer(struct buffer buff)
-{
-    struct byte_reader br = ZI;
-    br.buff = buff;
-    br.at = buff.data;
-    return br;
-}
-
-INLINE struct byte_writer bw_copy(struct byte_writer *bw)
-{
-    return *bw;
-}
-
-INLINE struct byte_reader br_copy(struct byte_reader *br)
-{
-    return *br;
-}
-
-/* Generate a buffer struct containing written bytes only */
-INLINE struct buffer bw_get_written_buffer(struct byte_writer *bw)
-{
-    struct buffer buff = ZI;
-    buff.data = bw->buff.data;
-    buff.size = bw->at - bw->buff.data;
-    return buff;
-}
-
-INLINE u64 bw_pos(struct byte_reader *bw)
-{
-    return bw->at - bw->buff.data;
-}
-
-/* ========================== *
- * Write
- * ========================== */
+struct byte_writer bw_from_buffer(struct buffer buff);
+struct byte_writer bw_from_arena(struct arena *arena);
+struct byte_writer bw_branch(struct byte_writer *bw, u64 size);
 
 void bw_seek(struct byte_writer *bw, u64 amount);
 void bw_seek_to(struct byte_writer *bw, u64 pos);
@@ -86,18 +36,36 @@ void bw_write_i32(struct byte_writer *bw, i32 v);
 void bw_write_i64(struct byte_writer *bw, i64 v);
 void bw_write_var_uint(struct byte_writer *bw, u64 v);
 void bw_write_var_sint(struct byte_writer *bw, i64 v);
+void bw_write_f32(struct byte_writer *bw, f32 v);
+void bw_write_f64(struct byte_writer *bw, f64 v);
+void bw_write_v2(struct byte_writer *bw, struct v2 v);
+
+/* Returns a buffer containing written bytes only */
+INLINE struct buffer bw_get_written(struct byte_writer *bw)
+{
+    struct buffer buff = ZI;
+    buff.data = bw->buff.data;
+    buff.size = bw->at - bw->buff.data;
+    return buff;
+}
+
+INLINE u64 bw_pos(struct byte_writer *bw)
+{
+    return bw->at - bw->buff.data;
+}
 
 /* ========================== *
- * Read
+ * Reader
  * ========================== */
 
-void br_seek(struct byte_reader *br, u64 amount);
-void br_seek_to(struct byte_reader *br, u64 pos);
-
-/* Will not read any data on overflow */
+ /* Will fill struct with zeroes on overflow */
 #define br_read_to_struct(br_ptr, var_ptr) (br_read_to_buffer(br_ptr, BUFFER(sizeof(*var_ptr), (u8 *)var_ptr)))
 
-void *br_read_raw(struct byte_reader *br, u64 size);
+struct byte_reader br_from_buffer(struct buffer buff);
+
+void *br_seek(struct byte_reader *br, u64 amount);
+void *br_seek_to(struct byte_reader *br, u64 pos);
+
 void br_read_to_buffer(struct byte_reader *br, struct buffer buff);
 u8 br_read_u8(struct byte_reader *br);
 u16 br_read_u16(struct byte_reader *br);
@@ -109,6 +77,9 @@ i32 br_read_i32(struct byte_reader *br);
 i64 br_read_i64(struct byte_reader *br);
 u64 br_read_var_uint(struct byte_reader *br);
 i64 br_read_var_sint(struct byte_reader *br);
+f32 br_read_f32(struct byte_reader *br);
+f64 br_read_f64(struct byte_reader *br);
+struct v2 br_read_v2(struct byte_reader *br);
 
 INLINE u64 br_bytes_left(const struct byte_reader *br)
 {
diff --git a/src/game.c b/src/game.c
index 224edbfe..9b23bb05 100644
--- a/src/game.c
+++ b/src/game.c
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 #include "collider.h"
 #include "rng.h"
 #include "space.h"
+#include "byteio.h"
 
 GLOBAL struct {
     struct atomic_i32 game_thread_shutdown;
@@ -31,9 +32,10 @@ GLOBAL struct {
     b32 extra_spawn;
     b32 should_reset_level;
 
-    /* Game thread input */
-    struct sys_mutex game_cmds_mutex;
-    struct arena game_cmds_arena;
+    /* Game input */
+    struct sys_mutex game_input_mutex;
+    struct arena game_input_arena;
+
     struct entity *root;
 
     /* Bookkeeping structures */
@@ -69,9 +71,9 @@ struct game_startup_receipt game_startup(struct mixer_startup_receipt *mixer_sr,
     (UNUSED)sound_sr;
     (UNUSED)phys_sr;
 
-    /* Initialize game cmd storage */
-    G.game_cmds_mutex = sys_mutex_alloc();
-    G.game_cmds_arena = arena_alloc(GIGABYTE(64));
+    /* Initialize game input storage */
+    G.game_input_mutex = sys_mutex_alloc();
+    G.game_input_arena = arena_alloc(GIGABYTE(64));
 
     /* Initialize empty world */
     reset_world();
@@ -95,34 +97,6 @@ INTERNAL APP_EXIT_CALLBACK_FUNC_DEF(game_shutdown)
     sys_thread_wait_release(&G.game_thread);
 }
 
-/* ========================== *
- * Game cmd
- * ========================== */
-
-INTERNAL void push_cmds(struct game_cmd_array cmd_array)
-{
-    struct sys_lock lock = sys_mutex_lock_e(&G.game_cmds_mutex);
-    struct game_cmd *cmds = arena_push_array(&G.game_cmds_arena, struct game_cmd, cmd_array.count);
-    MEMCPY(cmds, cmd_array.cmds, cmd_array.count * sizeof(*cmds));
-    sys_mutex_unlock(&lock);
-}
-
-INTERNAL struct game_cmd_array pop_cmds(struct arena *arena)
-{
-    struct game_cmd_array array = ZI;
-    if (G.game_cmds_arena.pos > 0) {
-        struct sys_lock lock = sys_mutex_lock_e(&G.game_cmds_mutex);
-        struct buffer game_cmds_buff = arena_to_buffer(&G.game_cmds_arena);
-        arena_align(arena, alignof(struct game_cmd));
-        array.cmds = (struct game_cmd *)arena_push_array(arena, u8, game_cmds_buff.size);
-        array.count = game_cmds_buff.size / sizeof(struct game_cmd);
-        MEMCPY(array.cmds, game_cmds_buff.data, game_cmds_buff.size);
-        arena_reset(&G.game_cmds_arena);
-        sys_mutex_unlock(&lock);
-    }
-    return array;
-}
-
 /* ========================== *
  * Reset
  * ========================== */
@@ -480,7 +454,7 @@ INTERNAL void publish_game_tick(void)
     sys_mutex_unlock(&lock);
 }
 
-INTERNAL void game_update(struct game_cmd_array game_cmds)
+INTERNAL void game_update(struct game_cmd_list game_cmds)
 {
     __prof;
 
@@ -537,14 +511,12 @@ INTERNAL void game_update(struct game_cmd_array game_cmds)
      * Process global game cmds
      * ========================== */
 
-    for (u64 cmd_index = 0; cmd_index < game_cmds.count; ++cmd_index) {
-        struct game_cmd cmd = game_cmds.cmds[cmd_index];
-
-        switch (cmd.kind) {
+    for (struct game_cmd *cmd = game_cmds.first; cmd; cmd = cmd->next) {
+        switch (cmd->kind) {
             /* Cursor */
             case GAME_CMD_KIND_CURSOR_MOVE:
             {
-                G.user_cursor = cmd.cursor_pos;
+                G.user_cursor = cmd->cursor_pos;
             } break;
 
             /* Clear level */
@@ -735,19 +707,18 @@ INTERNAL void game_update(struct game_cmd_array game_cmds)
             struct v2 focus = ent->control.focus;
             b32 firing = entity_has_prop(ent, ENTITY_PROP_TRIGGERING_EQUIPPED);
 
-            for (u64 i = 0; i < game_cmds.count; ++i) {
-                struct game_cmd cmd = game_cmds.cmds[i];
-                b32 start = cmd.state == GAME_CMD_STATE_START;
-                b32 stop = cmd.state == GAME_CMD_STATE_STOP;
+            for (struct game_cmd *cmd = game_cmds.first; cmd; cmd = cmd->next) {
+                b32 start = cmd->state == GAME_CMD_STATE_START;
+                b32 stop = cmd->state == GAME_CMD_STATE_STOP;
 
                 /* TODO: Combine movement from multiple inputs? E.G. a sudden
                  * start and immediate stop cmd should still move the player a
                  * tad. */
-                switch (cmd.kind) {
+                switch (cmd->kind) {
                     case GAME_CMD_KIND_PLAYER_MOVE:
                     {
-                        move = cmd.move_dir;
-                        focus = cmd.aim_dir;
+                        move = cmd->move_dir;
+                        focus = cmd->aim_dir;
                     } break;
 
                     case GAME_CMD_KIND_PLAYER_FIRE:
@@ -1094,12 +1065,11 @@ INTERNAL void game_update(struct game_cmd_array game_cmds)
 
         /* Mouse drag */
         ctx.dbg_cursor_pos = G.user_cursor;
-        for (u64 i = 0; i < game_cmds.count; ++i) {
-            struct game_cmd cmd = game_cmds.cmds[i];
-            if (cmd.kind == GAME_CMD_KIND_DRAG_OBJECT) {
-                if (cmd.state == GAME_CMD_STATE_START) {
+        for (struct game_cmd *cmd = game_cmds.first; cmd; cmd = cmd->next) {
+            if (cmd->kind == GAME_CMD_KIND_DRAG_OBJECT) {
+                if (cmd->state == GAME_CMD_STATE_START) {
                     ctx.dbg_start_dragging = true;
-                } else if (cmd.state == GAME_CMD_STATE_STOP) {
+                } else if (cmd->state == GAME_CMD_STATE_STOP) {
                     ctx.dbg_stop_dragging = true;
                 }
             }
@@ -1342,50 +1312,116 @@ INTERNAL void game_update(struct game_cmd_array game_cmds)
 }
 
 /* ========================== *
- * Game thread
+ * Game cmd
  * ========================== */
 
-INTERNAL SYS_THREAD_ENTRY_POINT_FUNC_DEF(game_thread_entry_point, arg)
+struct buffer game_string_from_cmds(struct arena *arena, struct game_cmd_list *cmds)
 {
-    struct temp_arena scratch = scratch_begin_no_conflict();
+    struct byte_writer bw = bw_from_arena(arena);
 
-    (UNUSED)arg;
-    i64 last_frame_ns = 0;
-    i64 target_dt_ns = NS_FROM_SECONDS(GAME_FPS > (0) ? (1.0 / GAME_FPS) : 0);
-    while (!atomic_i32_eval(&G.game_thread_shutdown)) {
-        __profscope(game_update_w_sleep);
-        struct temp_arena temp = arena_temp_begin(scratch.arena);
-        sleep_frame(last_frame_ns, target_dt_ns);
-        last_frame_ns = sys_time_ns();
-        {
-            struct game_cmd_array game_cmds = pop_cmds(temp.arena);
-            if (!G.paused) {
-                game_update(game_cmds);
-            }
-            /* Check for pause / next frame cmds */
-            for (u64 i = 0; i < game_cmds.count; ++i) {
-                struct game_cmd cmd = game_cmds.cmds[i];
-                switch (cmd.kind) {
-                    case GAME_CMD_KIND_PAUSE: {
-                        G.paused = !G.paused;
-                    } break;
+    for (struct game_cmd *cmd = cmds->first; cmd; cmd = cmd->next) {
+        struct byte_writer bw_size = bw_branch(&bw, sizeof(u64));
+        u64 start = bw_pos(&bw);
 
-                    case GAME_CMD_KIND_STEP: {
-                        if (G.paused) {
-                            G.paused = false;
-                            game_update(game_cmds);
-                            G.paused = true;
-                        }
-                    } break;
+        bw_write_i8(&bw, cmd->kind);
+        bw_write_i8(&bw, cmd->state);
 
-                    default: break;
-                }
-            }
+#if RTC
+        bw_write_u32(&bw, cmd->collider_gjk_steps);
+#endif
+
+        switch (cmd->kind) {
+            case GAME_CMD_KIND_PLAYER_MOVE:
+            {
+                bw_write_v2(&bw, cmd->move_dir);
+                bw_write_v2(&bw, cmd->aim_dir);
+            } break;
+
+            case GAME_CMD_KIND_CURSOR_MOVE:
+            {
+                bw_write_v2(&bw, cmd->cursor_pos);
+            } break;
+
+            default: break;
         }
-        arena_temp_end(temp);
+
+        u64 size = bw_pos(&bw) - start;
+        if (size > 100) {
+            DEBUGBREAKABLE;
+        }
+        bw_write_u64(&bw_size, size);
     }
 
-    scratch_end(scratch);
+    return bw.buff;
+}
+
+struct game_cmd_list game_cmds_from_string(struct arena *arena, struct buffer str)
+{
+    struct game_cmd_list l = ZI;
+
+    struct byte_reader br = br_from_buffer(str);
+    while (br_bytes_left(&br) > 0) {
+        struct game_cmd *cmd = arena_push_zero(arena, struct game_cmd);
+        u64 cmd_size = br_read_u64(&br);
+        u64 cmd_pos_end = br_pos(&br) + cmd_size;
+
+        cmd->kind = br_read_i8(&br);
+        cmd->state = br_read_i8(&br);
+
+#if RTC
+        cmd->collider_gjk_steps = br_read_u32(&br);
+#endif
+
+        switch (cmd->kind) {
+            case GAME_CMD_KIND_PLAYER_MOVE:
+            {
+                cmd->move_dir = br_read_v2(&br);
+                cmd->aim_dir = br_read_v2(&br);
+            } break;
+
+            case GAME_CMD_KIND_CURSOR_MOVE:
+            {
+                cmd->cursor_pos = br_read_v2(&br);
+            } break;
+
+            default: break;
+        }
+
+        ASSERT(br_pos(&br) == cmd_pos_end);
+        br_seek_to(&br, cmd_pos_end);
+
+        if (l.last) {
+            l.last->next = cmd;
+        } else {
+            l.first = cmd;
+        }
+        l.last = cmd;
+    }
+    return l;
+}
+
+/* ========================== *
+ * Game cmd
+ * ========================== */
+
+INTERNAL void push_input_string(struct buffer input)
+{
+    struct sys_lock lock = sys_mutex_lock_e(&G.game_input_mutex);
+    u8 *dst = arena_push_array(&G.game_input_arena, u8, input.size);
+    MEMCPY(dst, input.data, input.size);
+    sys_mutex_unlock(&lock);
+}
+
+INTERNAL struct buffer pop_input_string(struct arena *arena)
+{
+    struct buffer buff = ZI;
+    struct sys_lock lock = sys_mutex_lock_e(&G.game_input_mutex);
+    buff.size = G.game_input_arena.pos;
+    buff.data = arena_push_array(arena, u8, buff.size);
+    MEMCPY(buff.data, G.game_input_arena.base, buff.size);
+    arena_reset(&G.game_input_arena);
+    sys_mutex_unlock(&lock);
+    return buff;
 }
 
 /* ========================== *
@@ -1410,7 +1446,56 @@ u64 game_get_latest_tick_continuity_gen(void)
     return atomic_u64_eval(&G.prev_tick_continuity_gen);
 }
 
-void game_push_cmds(struct game_cmd_array cmd_array)
+void game_push_cmds_string(struct buffer str)
 {
-    push_cmds(cmd_array);
+    push_input_string(str);
+}
+
+/* ========================== *
+ * Game thread
+ * ========================== */
+
+INTERNAL SYS_THREAD_ENTRY_POINT_FUNC_DEF(game_thread_entry_point, arg)
+{
+    struct temp_arena scratch = scratch_begin_no_conflict();
+
+    (UNUSED)arg;
+    i64 last_frame_ns = 0;
+    i64 target_dt_ns = NS_FROM_SECONDS(GAME_FPS > (0) ? (1.0 / GAME_FPS) : 0);
+    while (!atomic_i32_eval(&G.game_thread_shutdown)) {
+        __profscope(game_update_w_sleep);
+        struct temp_arena temp = arena_temp_begin(scratch.arena);
+        sleep_frame(last_frame_ns, target_dt_ns);
+        last_frame_ns = sys_time_ns();
+        {
+            struct buffer input_str = pop_input_string(temp.arena);
+            struct game_cmd_list cmds = game_cmds_from_string(temp.arena, input_str);
+            if (!G.paused) {
+                game_update(cmds);
+            }
+            /* Check for pause / next frame cmds */
+            for (struct game_cmd *cmd = cmds.first; cmd; cmd = cmd->next) {
+                switch (cmd->kind) {
+                    case GAME_CMD_KIND_PAUSE:
+                    {
+                        G.paused = !G.paused;
+                    } break;
+
+                    case GAME_CMD_KIND_STEP:
+                    {
+                        if (G.paused) {
+                            G.paused = false;
+                            game_update(cmds);
+                            G.paused = true;
+                        }
+                    } break;
+
+                    default: break;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        arena_temp_end(temp);
+    }
+
+    scratch_end(scratch);
 }
diff --git a/src/game.h b/src/game.h
index fca9f68b..21735f55 100644
--- a/src/game.h
+++ b/src/game.h
@@ -7,8 +7,25 @@ struct sprite_startup_receipt;
 struct sound_startup_receipt;
 struct phys_startup_receipt;
 
+/* Absolute layers */
+#define GAME_LAYER_FLOOR_DECALS         -300
+#define GAME_LAYER_BULLETS              -200
+#define GAME_LAYER_TRACERS              -100
+#define GAME_LAYER_SHOULDERS            0
+
+/* Relative layers */
+#define GAME_LAYER_RELATIVE_DEFAULT     0
+#define GAME_LAYER_RELATIVE_WEAPON      1
+
+struct game_startup_receipt { i32 _; };
+struct game_startup_receipt game_startup(struct mixer_startup_receipt *mixer_sr,
+                                         struct sprite_startup_receipt *sheet_sr,
+                                         struct sound_startup_receipt *sound_sr,
+                                         struct phys_startup_receipt *phys_sr);
+
+
 /* ========================== *
- * Game cmd
+ * Game CMD
  * ========================== */
 
 enum game_cmd_state {
@@ -48,33 +65,25 @@ struct game_cmd {
 #if RTC
     u32 collider_gjk_steps;
 #endif
+
+    struct game_cmd *next;
 };
 
-struct game_cmd_array {
-    struct game_cmd *cmds;
-    u64 count;
+struct game_cmd_list {
+    struct game_cmd *first;
+    struct game_cmd *last;
 };
 
-/* Absolute layers */
-#define GAME_LAYER_FLOOR_DECALS         -300
-#define GAME_LAYER_BULLETS              -200
-#define GAME_LAYER_TRACERS              -100
-#define GAME_LAYER_SHOULDERS            0
+/* ========================== *
+ * Interface
+ * ========================== */
 
-/* Relative layers */
-#define GAME_LAYER_RELATIVE_DEFAULT     0
-#define GAME_LAYER_RELATIVE_WEAPON      1
-
-struct game_startup_receipt { i32 _; };
-struct game_startup_receipt game_startup(struct mixer_startup_receipt *mixer_sr,
-                                         struct sprite_startup_receipt *sheet_sr,
-                                         struct sound_startup_receipt *sound_sr,
-                                         struct phys_startup_receipt *phys_sr);
+struct buffer game_string_from_cmds(struct arena *arena, struct game_cmd_list *cmds);
+struct game_cmd_list game_cmds_from_string(struct arena *arena, struct buffer str);
 
 void game_get_latest_tick(struct world *dest);
 u64 game_get_latest_tick_id(void);
 u64 game_get_latest_tick_continuity_gen(void);
-
-void game_push_cmds(struct game_cmd_array cmd_array);
+void game_push_cmds_string(struct buffer str);
 
 #endif
diff --git a/src/tar.c b/src/tar.c
index ab99393d..6fd80c9e 100644
--- a/src/tar.c
+++ b/src/tar.c
@@ -93,10 +93,11 @@ struct tar_archive tar_parse(struct arena *arena, struct buffer data, struct str
         struct string file_size_oct_str = { .len = 11, .text = header.file_size };
 
         u64 file_size = str_oct_to_u64(file_size_oct_str);
-        struct buffer file_data = {
-            .size = file_size,
-            .data = br_read_raw(&br, file_size)
-        };
+        u8 *file_data_ptr = br_seek(&br, file_size);
+        if (!file_data_ptr) {
+            file_size = 0;
+        }
+        struct buffer file_data = BUFFER(file_size, file_data_ptr);
 
         /* Skip sector padding */
         u64 remaining = (512 - (file_size % 512)) % 512;
diff --git a/src/user.c b/src/user.c
index 59d353da..77e1cf24 100644
--- a/src/user.c
+++ b/src/user.c
@@ -360,48 +360,30 @@ INTERNAL struct interp_ticks pull_ticks(i64 blend_time_ns)
  * User -> game communication
  * ========================== */
 
-struct game_cmd_node {
-    struct game_cmd cmd;
-    struct game_cmd_node *next;
-};
-
-struct game_cmd_list {
-    struct game_cmd_node *first;
-    struct game_cmd_node *last;
-};
-
-INTERNAL void queue_game_cmd(struct arena *arena, struct game_cmd_list *list, struct game_cmd cmd)
+INTERNAL void queue_game_cmd(struct arena *arena, struct game_cmd_list *list, struct game_cmd src)
 {
-    struct game_cmd_node *node = arena_push_zero(arena, struct game_cmd_node);
-    node->cmd = cmd;
+    struct game_cmd *cmd = arena_push(arena, struct game_cmd);
+    *cmd = src;
     if (list->last) {
-        list->last->next = node;
+        list->last->next = cmd;
     } else {
-        list->first = node;
+        list->first = cmd;
     }
-    list->last = node;
+    list->last = cmd;
 }
 
 INTERNAL void pubilsh_game_cmds(struct game_cmd_list *list)
 {
     struct temp_arena scratch = scratch_begin_no_conflict();
-
-    /* Construct array */
-    struct game_cmd_array array = { .cmds = arena_dry_push(scratch.arena, struct game_cmd) };
-    for (struct game_cmd_node *node = list->first; node; node = node->next) {
-        struct game_cmd *cmd = arena_push(scratch.arena, struct game_cmd);
-        *cmd = node->cmd;
-        ++array.count;
-    }
-
-    /* Push array to game thread */
-    if (array.count > 0) {
-        game_push_cmds(array);
-    }
-
+    struct buffer buff = game_string_from_cmds(scratch.arena, list);
+    game_push_cmds_string(buff);
     scratch_end(scratch);
 }
 
+/* ========================== *
+ * Debug draw
+ * ========================== */
+
 /* TODO: remove this (testing) */
 INTERNAL void debug_draw_xform(struct xform xf, u32 color_x, u32 color_y)
 {