diff --git a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Endpoints.cs b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Endpoints.cs
index 6815fc0..d6242d7 100644
--- a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Endpoints.cs
+++ b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Endpoints.cs
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ internal sealed class Endpoints(
     {
         app.MapPost("/player", PostPlayer);
         app.MapGet("/player", GetPlayerAsync);
-        app.MapGet("/scores", () => playerService.GetAll() as IEnumerable<Player>);
+        app.MapGet("/scores", () => playerService.Players);
         app.Map("/screen", ConnectScreenAsync);
         app.Map("/controls", ConnectControlsAsync);
         app.MapGet("/map", () => mapService.MapNames);
diff --git a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Graphics/DrawMapStep.cs b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Graphics/DrawMapStep.cs
index 67d41ea..cf23bf0 100644
--- a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Graphics/DrawMapStep.cs
+++ b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Graphics/DrawMapStep.cs
@@ -9,8 +9,7 @@ internal sealed class DrawMapStep(MapService map) : IDrawStep
         for (ushort y = 0; y < MapService.PixelsPerColumn; y++)
         for (ushort x = 0; x < MapService.PixelsPerRow; x++)
         {
-            var pixel = new PixelPosition(x, y);
-            if (!map.Current.IsWall(pixel))
+            if (!map.Current.IsWall(x, y))
                 continue;
 
             pixels[x, y].EntityType = GamePixelEntityType.Wall;
diff --git a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Graphics/GeneratePixelsTickStep.cs b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Graphics/GeneratePixelsTickStep.cs
index eba8ebf..7edf1a0 100644
--- a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Graphics/GeneratePixelsTickStep.cs
+++ b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Graphics/GeneratePixelsTickStep.cs
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 using DisplayCommands;
 using TanksServer.GameLogic;
+using TanksServer.Interactivity;
 
 namespace TanksServer.Graphics;
 
@@ -22,7 +23,8 @@ internal sealed class GeneratePixelsTickStep(
         if (_observerPixelGrid.Data.Span.SequenceEqual(_lastObserverPixelGrid.Data.Span))
             return;
 
-        await Task.WhenAll(_consumers.Select(c => c.OnFrameDoneAsync(_gamePixelGrid, _observerPixelGrid)));
+        await _consumers.Select(c => c.OnFrameDoneAsync(_gamePixelGrid, _observerPixelGrid))
+            .WhenAll();
 
         (_lastGamePixelGrid, _gamePixelGrid) = (_gamePixelGrid, _lastGamePixelGrid);
         (_lastObserverPixelGrid, _observerPixelGrid) = (_observerPixelGrid, _lastObserverPixelGrid);
diff --git a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/BufferPool.cs b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/BufferPool.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8e7ad5c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/BufferPool.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+using System.Buffers;
+
+namespace TanksServer.Interactivity;
+
+internal sealed class BufferPool: MemoryPool<byte>
+{
+    private readonly MemoryPool<byte> _actualPool = Shared;
+
+    public override int MaxBufferSize => int.MaxValue;
+
+    protected override void Dispose(bool disposing) {}
+
+    public override IMemoryOwner<byte> Rent(int minBufferSize = -1)
+    {
+        ArgumentOutOfRangeException.ThrowIfLessThan(minBufferSize, 1);
+        return new BufferPoolMemoryOwner(_actualPool.Rent(minBufferSize), minBufferSize);
+    }
+
+    private sealed class BufferPoolMemoryOwner(IMemoryOwner<byte> actualOwner, int wantedSize): IMemoryOwner<byte>
+    {
+        public Memory<byte> Memory { get; } = actualOwner.Memory[..wantedSize];
+
+        public void Dispose() => actualOwner.Dispose();
+    }
+}
diff --git a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/ClientScreenServer.cs b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/ClientScreenServer.cs
index 2f82b3a..6955c4d 100644
--- a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/ClientScreenServer.cs
+++ b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/ClientScreenServer.cs
@@ -6,17 +6,23 @@ namespace TanksServer.Interactivity;
 
 internal sealed class ClientScreenServer(
     ILogger<ClientScreenServer> logger,
-    ILoggerFactory loggerFactory
+    ILoggerFactory loggerFactory,
+    BufferPool bufferPool
 ) : WebsocketServer<ClientScreenServerConnection>(logger),
     IFrameConsumer
 {
     public Task HandleClientAsync(WebSocket socket, Player? player)
-        => base.HandleClientAsync(new ClientScreenServerConnection(
+    {
+        var connection = new ClientScreenServerConnection(
             socket,
             loggerFactory.CreateLogger<ClientScreenServerConnection>(),
-            player
-        ));
+            player,
+            bufferPool
+        );
+        return base.HandleClientAsync(connection);
+    }
 
-    public async Task OnFrameDoneAsync(GamePixelGrid gamePixelGrid, PixelGrid observerPixels)
-        => await ParallelForEachConnectionAsync(c => c.OnGameTickAsync(observerPixels, gamePixelGrid).AsTask());
+    public Task OnFrameDoneAsync(GamePixelGrid gamePixelGrid, PixelGrid observerPixels)
+        => Connections.Select(c => c.OnGameTickAsync(observerPixels, gamePixelGrid))
+            .WhenAll();
 }
diff --git a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/ClientScreenServerConnection.cs b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/ClientScreenServerConnection.cs
index d76eda5..4cda7bb 100644
--- a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/ClientScreenServerConnection.cs
+++ b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/ClientScreenServerConnection.cs
@@ -7,24 +7,23 @@ namespace TanksServer.Interactivity;
 
 internal sealed class ClientScreenServerConnection : WebsocketServerConnection
 {
-    private sealed record class Package(
-        IMemoryOwner<byte> PixelsOwner,
-        Memory<byte> Pixels,
-        IMemoryOwner<byte>? PlayerDataOwner,
-        Memory<byte>? PlayerData
-    );
+    private sealed record class Package(IMemoryOwner<byte> Pixels, IMemoryOwner<byte>? PlayerData);
 
-    private readonly MemoryPool<byte> _memoryPool = MemoryPool<byte>.Shared;
+    private readonly BufferPool _bufferPool;
     private readonly PlayerScreenData? _playerDataBuilder;
     private readonly Player? _player;
     private int _wantsFrameOnTick = 1;
     private Package? _next;
 
-    public ClientScreenServerConnection(WebSocket webSocket,
+    public ClientScreenServerConnection(
+        WebSocket webSocket,
         ILogger<ClientScreenServerConnection> logger,
-        Player? player) : base(logger, new ByteChannelWebSocket(webSocket, logger, 0))
+        Player? player,
+        BufferPool bufferPool
+    ) : base(logger, new ByteChannelWebSocket(webSocket, logger, 0))
     {
         _player = player;
+        _bufferPool = bufferPool;
         _player?.IncrementConnectionCount();
         _playerDataBuilder = player == null
             ? null
@@ -46,25 +45,22 @@ internal sealed class ClientScreenServerConnection : WebsocketServerConnection
         return ValueTask.CompletedTask;
     }
 
-    public async ValueTask OnGameTickAsync(PixelGrid pixels, GamePixelGrid gamePixelGrid)
+    public async Task OnGameTickAsync(PixelGrid pixels, GamePixelGrid gamePixelGrid)
     {
         await Task.Yield();
 
-        var nextPixelsOwner = _memoryPool.Rent(pixels.Data.Length);
-        var nextPixels = nextPixelsOwner.Memory[..pixels.Data.Length];
-        pixels.Data.CopyTo(nextPixels);
+        var nextPixels = _bufferPool.Rent(pixels.Data.Length);
+        pixels.Data.CopyTo(nextPixels.Memory);
 
-        IMemoryOwner<byte>? nextPlayerDataOwner = null;
-        Memory<byte>? nextPlayerData = null;
+        IMemoryOwner<byte>? nextPlayerData = null;
         if (_playerDataBuilder != null)
         {
             var data = _playerDataBuilder.Build(gamePixelGrid);
-            nextPlayerDataOwner = _memoryPool.Rent(data.Length);
-            nextPlayerData = nextPlayerDataOwner.Memory[..data.Length];
-            data.CopyTo(nextPlayerData.Value);
+            nextPlayerData = _bufferPool.Rent(data.Length);
+            data.CopyTo(nextPlayerData.Memory);
         }
 
-        var next = new Package(nextPixelsOwner, nextPixels, nextPlayerDataOwner, nextPlayerData);
+        var next = new Package(nextPixels, nextPlayerData);
         if (Interlocked.Exchange(ref _wantsFrameOnTick, 0) != 0)
         {
             await SendAndDisposeAsync(next);
@@ -72,8 +68,8 @@ internal sealed class ClientScreenServerConnection : WebsocketServerConnection
         }
 
         var oldNext = Interlocked.Exchange(ref _next, next);
-        oldNext?.PixelsOwner.Dispose();
-        oldNext?.PlayerDataOwner?.Dispose();
+        oldNext?.Pixels.Dispose();
+        oldNext?.PlayerData?.Dispose();
     }
 
     public override ValueTask RemovedAsync()
@@ -86,9 +82,9 @@ internal sealed class ClientScreenServerConnection : WebsocketServerConnection
     {
         try
         {
-            await Socket.SendBinaryAsync(package.Pixels, package.PlayerData == null);
+            await Socket.SendBinaryAsync(package.Pixels.Memory, package.PlayerData == null);
             if (package.PlayerData != null)
-                await Socket.SendBinaryAsync(package.PlayerData.Value);
+                await Socket.SendBinaryAsync(package.PlayerData.Memory);
         }
         catch (WebSocketException ex)
         {
@@ -96,8 +92,8 @@ internal sealed class ClientScreenServerConnection : WebsocketServerConnection
         }
         finally
         {
-            package.PixelsOwner.Dispose();
-            package.PlayerDataOwner?.Dispose();
+            package.Pixels.Dispose();
+            package.PlayerData?.Dispose();
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/PlayerInfoConnection.cs b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/PlayerInfoConnection.cs
index bc20954..cd4d461 100644
--- a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/PlayerInfoConnection.cs
+++ b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/PlayerInfoConnection.cs
@@ -6,25 +6,30 @@ using TanksServer.GameLogic;
 
 namespace TanksServer.Interactivity;
 
+// MemoryStream is IDisposable but does not need to be disposed
+#pragma warning disable CA1001
 internal sealed class PlayerInfoConnection : WebsocketServerConnection
+#pragma warning restore CA1001
 {
     private readonly Player _player;
     private readonly MapEntityManager _entityManager;
+    private readonly BufferPool _bufferPool;
     private readonly MemoryStream _tempStream = new();
-    private readonly MemoryPool<byte> _memoryPool = MemoryPool<byte>.Shared;
     private int _wantsInfoOnTick = 1;
-    private Package? _lastMessage = null;
-    private Package? _nextMessage = null;
+    private IMemoryOwner<byte>? _lastMessage = null;
+    private IMemoryOwner<byte>? _nextMessage = null;
 
-    private sealed record class Package(IMemoryOwner<byte> Owner, Memory<byte> Memory);
-
-    public PlayerInfoConnection(Player player,
+    public PlayerInfoConnection(
+        Player player,
         ILogger logger,
         WebSocket rawSocket,
-        MapEntityManager entityManager) : base(logger, new ByteChannelWebSocket(rawSocket, logger, 0))
+        MapEntityManager entityManager,
+        BufferPool bufferPool
+    ) : base(logger, new ByteChannelWebSocket(rawSocket, logger, 0))
     {
         _player = player;
         _entityManager = entityManager;
+        _bufferPool = bufferPool;
         _player.IncrementConnectionCount();
     }
 
@@ -38,7 +43,7 @@ internal sealed class PlayerInfoConnection : WebsocketServerConnection
         return ValueTask.CompletedTask;
     }
 
-    public async ValueTask OnGameTickAsync()
+    public async Task OnGameTickAsync()
     {
         await Task.Yield();
 
@@ -60,7 +65,7 @@ internal sealed class PlayerInfoConnection : WebsocketServerConnection
         return ValueTask.CompletedTask;
     }
 
-    private async ValueTask<Package> GenerateMessageAsync()
+    private async ValueTask<IMemoryOwner<byte>> GenerateMessageAsync()
     {
         var tank = _entityManager.GetCurrentTankOfPlayer(_player);
 
@@ -82,17 +87,16 @@ internal sealed class PlayerInfoConnection : WebsocketServerConnection
         await JsonSerializer.SerializeAsync(_tempStream, info, AppSerializerContext.Default.PlayerInfo);
 
         var messageLength = (int)_tempStream.Position;
-        var owner = _memoryPool.Rent(messageLength);
-        var package = new Package(owner, owner.Memory[..messageLength]);
+        var owner = _bufferPool.Rent(messageLength);
 
         _tempStream.Position = 0;
-        await _tempStream.ReadExactlyAsync(package.Memory);
-        return package;
+        await _tempStream.ReadExactlyAsync(owner.Memory);
+        return owner;
     }
 
-    private async ValueTask SendAndDisposeAsync(Package data)
+    private async ValueTask SendAndDisposeAsync(IMemoryOwner<byte> data)
     {
         await Socket.SendTextAsync(data.Memory);
-        Interlocked.Exchange(ref _lastMessage, data)?.Owner.Dispose();
+        Interlocked.Exchange(ref _lastMessage, data)?.Dispose();
     }
 }
diff --git a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/PlayerServer.cs b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/PlayerServer.cs
index 200c77e..a3b1b2f 100644
--- a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/PlayerServer.cs
+++ b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/PlayerServer.cs
@@ -8,65 +8,34 @@ internal sealed class PlayerServer(
     ILogger<PlayerServer> logger,
     ILogger<PlayerInfoConnection> connectionLogger,
     TankSpawnQueue tankSpawnQueue,
-    MapEntityManager entityManager
+    MapEntityManager entityManager,
+    BufferPool bufferPool
 ) : WebsocketServer<PlayerInfoConnection>(logger), ITickStep
 {
-    private readonly Dictionary<string, Player> _players = [];
-    private readonly SemaphoreSlim _mutex = new(1, 1);
+    private readonly ConcurrentDictionary<string, Player> _players = [];
 
-    public Player GetOrAdd(string name)
-    {
-        _mutex.Wait();
-        try
-        {
-            if (_players.TryGetValue(name, out var existingPlayer))
-            {
-                logger.LogInformation("player {} rejoined", existingPlayer.Name);
-                return existingPlayer;
-            }
-
-            var newPlayer = new Player { Name = name };
-            logger.LogInformation("player {} joined", newPlayer.Name);
-            _players.Add(name, newPlayer);
-            tankSpawnQueue.EnqueueForImmediateSpawn(newPlayer);
-            return newPlayer;
-        }
-        finally
-        {
-            _mutex.Release();
-        }
-    }
+    public Player GetOrAdd(string name) => _players.GetOrAdd(name, Add);
 
     public bool TryGet(string name, [MaybeNullWhen(false)] out Player foundPlayer)
-    {
-        _mutex.Wait();
-        try
-        {
-            foundPlayer = _players.Values.FirstOrDefault(player => player.Name == name);
-            return foundPlayer != null;
-        }
-        finally
-        {
-            _mutex.Release();
-        }
-    }
+        => _players.TryGetValue(name, out foundPlayer);
 
-    public List<Player> GetAll()
+    public IEnumerable<Player> Players => _players.Values;
+
+    private Player Add(string name)
     {
-        _mutex.Wait();
-        try
-        {
-            return _players.Values.ToList();
-        }
-        finally
-        {
-            _mutex.Release();
-        }
+        var newPlayer = new Player { Name = name };
+        logger.LogInformation("player {} joined", newPlayer.Name);
+        tankSpawnQueue.EnqueueForImmediateSpawn(newPlayer);
+        return newPlayer;
     }
 
     public Task HandleClientAsync(WebSocket webSocket, Player player)
-        => HandleClientAsync(new PlayerInfoConnection(player, connectionLogger, webSocket, entityManager));
+    {
+        var connection = new PlayerInfoConnection(player, connectionLogger, webSocket, entityManager, bufferPool);
+        return HandleClientAsync(connection);
+    }
 
-    public ValueTask TickAsync(TimeSpan delta)
-        => ParallelForEachConnectionAsync(connection => connection.OnGameTickAsync().AsTask());
+    public async ValueTask TickAsync(TimeSpan delta)
+        => await Connections.Select(connection => connection.OnGameTickAsync())
+            .WhenAll();
 }
diff --git a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/SendToServicePointDisplay.cs b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/SendToServicePointDisplay.cs
index 7a9d5a5..5625566 100644
--- a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/SendToServicePointDisplay.cs
+++ b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/SendToServicePointDisplay.cs
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ internal sealed class SendToServicePointDisplay : IFrameConsumer
 
     private void RefreshScores()
     {
-        var playersToDisplay = _players.GetAll()
+        var playersToDisplay = _players.Players
             .OrderByDescending(p => p.Scores.Kills)
             .Take(ScoresPlayerRows);
 
diff --git a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/TaskExtensions.cs b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/TaskExtensions.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8d32203
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/TaskExtensions.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+using System.Runtime.CompilerServices;
+
+namespace TanksServer.Interactivity;
+
+public static class TaskExtensions
+{
+    [MethodImpl(MethodImplOptions.AggressiveInlining)]
+    public static Task WhenAll(this IEnumerable<Task> tasks) => Task.WhenAll(tasks);
+}
diff --git a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/WebsocketServer.cs b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/WebsocketServer.cs
index 8912b35..19f7e7a 100644
--- a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/WebsocketServer.cs
+++ b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/WebsocketServer.cs
@@ -1,70 +1,45 @@
+using System.Diagnostics;
 using Microsoft.Extensions.Hosting;
 
 namespace TanksServer.Interactivity;
 
 internal abstract class WebsocketServer<T>(
     ILogger logger
-) : IHostedLifecycleService, IDisposable
+) : IHostedLifecycleService
     where T : WebsocketServerConnection
 {
-    private readonly SemaphoreSlim _mutex = new(1, 1);
     private bool _closing;
-    private readonly HashSet<T> _connections = [];
+    private readonly ConcurrentDictionary<T, byte> _connections = [];
 
     public async Task StoppingAsync(CancellationToken cancellationToken)
     {
+        _closing = true;
         logger.LogInformation("closing connections");
-        await LockedAsync(async () =>
-        {
-            _closing = true;
-            await Task.WhenAll(_connections.Select(c => c.CloseAsync()));
-        }, cancellationToken);
+        await _connections.Keys.Select(c => c.CloseAsync())
+            .WhenAll();
         logger.LogInformation("closed connections");
     }
 
-    protected ValueTask ParallelForEachConnectionAsync(Func<T, Task> body) =>
-        LockedAsync(async () => await Task.WhenAll(_connections.Select(body)), CancellationToken.None);
+    protected IEnumerable<T> Connections => _connections.Keys;
 
-    private ValueTask AddConnectionAsync(T connection) => LockedAsync(async () =>
+    protected async Task HandleClientAsync(T connection)
     {
         if (_closing)
         {
             logger.LogWarning("refusing connection because server is shutting down");
             await connection.CloseAsync();
+            return;
         }
 
-        _connections.Add(connection);
-    }, CancellationToken.None);
+        var added = _connections.TryAdd(connection, 0);
+        Debug.Assert(added);
 
-    private ValueTask RemoveConnectionAsync(T connection) => LockedAsync(() =>
-    {
-        _connections.Remove(connection);
-        return ValueTask.CompletedTask;
-    }, CancellationToken.None);
-
-    protected async Task HandleClientAsync(T connection)
-    {
-        await AddConnectionAsync(connection);
         await connection.ReceiveAsync();
-        await RemoveConnectionAsync(connection);
+
+        _ = _connections.TryRemove(connection, out _);
         await connection.RemovedAsync();
     }
 
-    private async ValueTask LockedAsync(Func<ValueTask> action, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
-    {
-        await _mutex.WaitAsync(cancellationToken);
-        try
-        {
-            await action();
-        }
-        finally
-        {
-            _mutex.Release();
-        }
-    }
-
-    public virtual void Dispose() => _mutex.Dispose();
-
     public Task StartAsync(CancellationToken cancellationToken) => Task.CompletedTask;
 
     public Task StopAsync(CancellationToken cancellationToken) => Task.CompletedTask;
diff --git a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/WebsocketServerConnection.cs b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/WebsocketServerConnection.cs
index d501c1d..6be215c 100644
--- a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/WebsocketServerConnection.cs
+++ b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Interactivity/WebsocketServerConnection.cs
@@ -3,9 +3,8 @@ namespace TanksServer.Interactivity;
 internal abstract class WebsocketServerConnection(
     ILogger logger,
     ByteChannelWebSocket socket
-) : IDisposable
+)
 {
-    private readonly SemaphoreSlim _mutex = new(1);
     protected readonly ByteChannelWebSocket Socket = socket;
     protected readonly ILogger Logger = logger;
 
@@ -25,6 +24,4 @@ internal abstract class WebsocketServerConnection(
     public abstract ValueTask RemovedAsync();
 
     protected abstract ValueTask HandleMessageAsync(Memory<byte> buffer);
-
-    public virtual void Dispose() => _mutex.Dispose();
 }
diff --git a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Program.cs b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Program.cs
index cce672b..36126dc 100644
--- a/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Program.cs
+++ b/tanks-backend/TanksServer/Program.cs
@@ -63,6 +63,7 @@ public static class Program
         builder.Services.AddSingleton<ClientScreenServer>();
         builder.Services.AddSingleton<TankSpawnQueue>();
         builder.Services.AddSingleton<Endpoints>();
+        builder.Services.AddSingleton<BufferPool>();
 
         builder.Services.AddHostedService<GameTickWorker>();
         builder.Services.AddHostedService(sp => sp.GetRequiredService<ControlsServer>());