About zram, I would suggest starting to use lz4 (it should be faster) rather than zstd, given you already have plenty of RAM. Then, you may want to consider upgrading to Debian testing/13, it has already less known bugs than 12 ( https://bugs.debian.org/release-critical/ ) and it can support building 0ad using its packages, other than natively having 0ad 0.27.0.

Hi! This error is often caused by a blocked port, especially if you are playing through your own server or connecting directly. Here are a few things to try: Open UDP port 20595 in Windows Firewall settings: Go to Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall > Advanced settings. In the Inbound Rules section, create a new rule, select "Port", then "UDP", enter 20595 and allow the connection. Check your router settings (if you are creating a server at home): You need to set up port forwarding for UDP 20595 to your computer's IP. Antivirus exceptions: Make sure that the game itself and the port are not blocked by Windows Defender. Add them to the exceptions list. Run as administrator: Sometimes just running the game with administrator rights helps. If all this does not help, try temporarily disabling the firewall and checking the connection - this way you can definitely understand whether it is the problem. Good luck!

1. Zram? In my opinion, this invention should be gotten rid of. It may be the cause of delays. The Linux kernel has everything it needs. Now, memories are fast - why waste time on additional compression and decompression? This whole zram is an illusion - if someone has too little RAM, it is better to add physical memory. If anything - 'tmpfs' is more necessary. 2. Compiling 0ad is not difficult. I recommend compiling ver. 0.27.1 rc: https://releases.wildfiregames.com/rc/ But on Debian Bookworm (12.11) you will not compile this version, because the requirements for 'rust' have been raised (Bookworm has ver. 1.63, and a minimum of 1.66 is required). There is a way to do this: https://wildfiregames.com/forum/topic/127464-debian-bookworm-129-rustup-successful-compilation-of-0270-rc2/#comment-592272 If you are afraid that the compilation will clutter your system with various unnecessary packages, you can always compile on Debian Live https://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/release/current-live/amd64/iso-hybrid/ You have to remember that directories on Live are created in RAM, and compiling 0ad requires a lot of space, so you have to attach external memory and create a compilation directory on it. But be careful - this memory must have a Linux file system (e.g. ext4), because fat32, exfat do not support symlinks and compilation will fail. After compilation is complete, we move the 'binaries' directory with the 'data' and 'system' subdirectories to the target location. The remaining compilation directories are unnecessary. Best regards  

https://www.indiedb.com/games/0-ad/news/a-year-in-review "Since the last IOTY we have added two of the remaining civilizations: the Iberians and the Carthaginians. In the upcoming Alphas we will add the final two, the Persians and the Romans." The game was meant to be much more humble originally. There's a lot of interesting points in the article. 

Maybe we should adjust the answer to the corresponding FAQ. IMO: Abandoning the alpha-versioning doesn't mean the community is resilient enough for a murderous increase of players and need for moderation due to a listing in Steam etc. I take over the 'disgusting place'-argumentation of @Seleucids. Have you used the search function of the forum software with the query 'steam'? There are many more arguments than the ones stated in this thread.

On some of the maps all the enemies are completely passive. They don't build anything or expand their population. It's the case for example in White Cliffs of Dover (5). Difficulty settings doesn't matter.

I'm thinking about adding this question and answer to the FAQ. But I need some time. If someone's willing to add it earlier, I'd be happy.