diff --git a/src/chat_commands.c b/src/chat_commands.c
index 2021404..7c13bcf 100644
--- a/src/chat_commands.c
+++ b/src/chat_commands.c
@@ -179,12 +179,6 @@ void cmd_game_join(WINDOW *window, ToxWindow *self, Tox *m, int argc, char (*arg
     UNUSED_VAR(window);
     UNUSED_VAR(m);
 
-    bool force_small = false;
-
-    if (argc >= 2) {
-        force_small = strcasecmp(argv[2], "small") == 0;
-    }
-
     if (!Friends.list[self->num].game_invite.pending) {
         line_info_add(self, false, NULL, NULL, SYS_MSG, 0, 0, "No pending game invite.");
         return;
@@ -200,7 +194,7 @@ void cmd_game_join(WINDOW *window, ToxWindow *self, Tox *m, int argc, char (*arg
     uint8_t *data = Friends.list[self->num].game_invite.data;
     size_t length = Friends.list[self->num].game_invite.data_length;
 
-    int ret = game_initialize(self, m, type, id, data, length, force_small);
+    int ret = game_initialize(self, m, type, id, data, length);
 
     switch (ret) {
         case 0: {
diff --git a/src/game_base.c b/src/game_base.c
index 90cd026..c84e87d 100644
--- a/src/game_base.c
+++ b/src/game_base.c
@@ -55,17 +55,17 @@ extern struct user_settings *user_settings;
 
 
 /* Determines if window is large enough for a respective window type */
-#define WINDOW_SIZE_LARGE_SQUARE_VALID(max_x, max_y)((((max_y) - 4) >= (GAME_MAX_SQUARE_Y))\
-                                                  && ((max_x) >= (GAME_MAX_SQUARE_X)))
+#define WINDOW_SIZE_SQUARE_VALID(max_x, max_y)((((max_y) - 4) >= (GAME_MAX_SQUARE_Y_DEFAULT))\
+                                             && ((max_x) >= (GAME_MAX_SQUARE_X_DEFAULT)))
 
-#define WINDOW_SIZE_SMALL_SQUARE_VALID(max_x, max_y)((((max_y) - 4) >= (GAME_MAX_SQUARE_Y_SMALL))\
-                                                  && ((max_x) >= (GAME_MAX_SQUARE_X_SMALL)))
+#define WINDOW_SIZE_LARGE_SQUARE_VALID(max_x, max_y)((((max_y) - 4) >= (GAME_MAX_SQUARE_Y_LARGE))\
+                                                   && ((max_x) >= (GAME_MAX_SQUARE_X_LARGE)))
 
-#define WINDOW_SIZE_LARGE_RECT_VALID(max_x, max_y)((((max_y) - 4) >= (GAME_MAX_RECT_Y))\
-                                                  && ((max_x) >= (GAME_MAX_RECT_X)))
+#define WINDOW_SIZE_RECT_VALID(max_x, max_y)((((max_y) - 4) >= (GAME_MAX_RECT_Y_DEFAULT))\
+                                           && ((max_x) >= (GAME_MAX_RECT_X_DEFAULT)))
 
-#define WINDOW_SIZE_SMALL_RECT_VALID(max_x, max_y)((((max_y) - 4) >= (GAME_MAX_RECT_Y_SMALL))\
-                                                  && ((max_x) >= (GAME_MAX_RECT_X_SMALL)))
+#define WINDOW_SIZE_LARGE_RECT_VALID(max_x, max_y)((((max_y) - 4) >= (GAME_MAX_RECT_Y_LARGE))\
+                                                 && ((max_x) >= (GAME_MAX_RECT_X_LARGE)))
 
 
 static ToxWindow *game_new_window(Tox *m, GameType type, uint32_t friendnumber);
@@ -229,7 +229,7 @@ static int game_initialize_type(GameData *game, const uint8_t *data, size_t leng
 }
 
 int game_initialize(const ToxWindow *parent, Tox *m, GameType type, uint32_t id, const uint8_t *multiplayer_data,
-                    size_t length, bool force_small_window)
+                    size_t length)
 {
     int max_x;
     int max_y;
@@ -237,22 +237,6 @@ int game_initialize(const ToxWindow *parent, Tox *m, GameType type, uint32_t id,
 
     max_y -= (CHATBOX_HEIGHT + WINDOW_BAR_HEIGHT);
 
-    int max_game_window_x = GAME_MAX_SQUARE_X;
-    int max_game_window_y = GAME_MAX_SQUARE_Y;
-
-    if (!force_small_window && !WINDOW_SIZE_LARGE_SQUARE_VALID(max_x, max_y)) {
-        return -1;
-    }
-
-    if (force_small_window) {
-        max_game_window_x = GAME_MAX_SQUARE_X_SMALL;
-        max_game_window_y = GAME_MAX_SQUARE_Y_SMALL;
-
-        if (!WINDOW_SIZE_SMALL_SQUARE_VALID(max_x, max_y)) {
-            return -1;
-        }
-    }
-
     ToxWindow *self = game_new_window(m, type, parent->num);
 
     if (self == NULL) {
@@ -287,8 +271,6 @@ int game_initialize(const ToxWindow *parent, Tox *m, GameType type, uint32_t id,
 
     game->tox = m;
     game->window_shape = GW_ShapeSquare;
-    game->game_max_x = max_game_window_x;
-    game->game_max_y = max_game_window_y;
     game->parent_max_x = max_x;
     game->parent_max_y = max_y;
     game->update_interval = GAME_DEFAULT_UPDATE_INTERVAL;
@@ -327,28 +309,53 @@ int game_set_window_shape(GameData *game, GameWindowShape shape)
         return -2;
     }
 
-    if (shape == game->window_shape) {
-        return 0;
-    }
-
-    if (shape == GW_ShapeSquare) {
-        game->game_max_x = GAME_MAX_SQUARE_X;
-        return 0;
-    }
-
     const int max_x = game->parent_max_x;
     const int max_y = game->parent_max_y;
 
-    if (WINDOW_SIZE_LARGE_RECT_VALID(max_x, max_y)) {
-        game->game_max_x = GAME_MAX_RECT_X;
-        game->game_max_y = GAME_MAX_RECT_Y;
-        return 0;
-    }
+    switch (shape) {
+        case GW_ShapeSquare: {
+            if (WINDOW_SIZE_SQUARE_VALID(max_x, max_y)) {
+                game->game_max_x = GAME_MAX_SQUARE_X_DEFAULT;
+                game->game_max_y = GAME_MAX_SQUARE_Y_DEFAULT;
+                return 0;
+            }
 
-    if (WINDOW_SIZE_SMALL_RECT_VALID(max_x, max_y)) {
-        game->game_max_x = GAME_MAX_RECT_X_SMALL;
-        game->game_max_y = GAME_MAX_RECT_Y_SMALL;
-        return 0;
+            break;
+        }
+
+        case GW_ShapeSquareLarge: {
+            if (WINDOW_SIZE_LARGE_SQUARE_VALID(max_x, max_y)) {
+                game->game_max_x = GAME_MAX_SQUARE_X_LARGE;
+                game->game_max_y = GAME_MAX_SQUARE_Y_LARGE;
+                return 0;
+            }
+
+            break;
+        }
+
+        case GW_ShapeRectangle: {
+            if (WINDOW_SIZE_RECT_VALID(max_x, max_y)) {
+                game->game_max_x = GAME_MAX_RECT_X_DEFAULT;
+                game->game_max_y = GAME_MAX_RECT_Y_DEFAULT;
+                return 0;
+            }
+
+            break;
+        }
+
+        case GW_ShapeRectangleLarge: {
+            if (WINDOW_SIZE_LARGE_RECT_VALID(max_x, max_y)) {
+                game->game_max_x = GAME_MAX_RECT_X_LARGE;
+                game->game_max_y = GAME_MAX_RECT_Y_LARGE;
+                return 0;
+            }
+
+            break;
+        }
+
+        default: {
+            return -1;
+        }
     }
 
     return -1;
diff --git a/src/game_base.h b/src/game_base.h
index c6b49ce..43909d1 100644
--- a/src/game_base.h
+++ b/src/game_base.h
@@ -33,21 +33,22 @@
 
 #define GAME_BORDER_COLOUR BAR_TEXT
 
-/* Max size of a default size square game window */
-#define GAME_MAX_SQUARE_Y 26
-#define GAME_MAX_SQUARE_X (GAME_MAX_SQUARE_Y * 2)
 
-/* Max size of a small square game window */
-#define GAME_MAX_SQUARE_Y_SMALL 18
-#define GAME_MAX_SQUARE_X_SMALL (GAME_MAX_SQUARE_Y_SMALL * 2)
+/* Max size of a default square game window */
+#define GAME_MAX_SQUARE_Y_DEFAULT 26
+#define GAME_MAX_SQUARE_X_DEFAULT (GAME_MAX_SQUARE_Y_DEFAULT * 2)
+
+/* Max size of a large square game window */
+#define GAME_MAX_SQUARE_Y_LARGE 52
+#define GAME_MAX_SQUARE_X_LARGE (GAME_MAX_SQUARE_Y_LARGE * 2)
 
 /* Max size of a default size rectangle game window */
-#define GAME_MAX_RECT_Y 24
-#define GAME_MAX_RECT_X (GAME_MAX_RECT_Y * 4)
+#define GAME_MAX_RECT_Y_DEFAULT 24
+#define GAME_MAX_RECT_X_DEFAULT (GAME_MAX_RECT_Y_DEFAULT * 4)
 
-/* Max size of a small rectangle game window */
-#define GAME_MAX_RECT_Y_SMALL 14
-#define GAME_MAX_RECT_X_SMALL (GAME_MAX_RECT_Y_SMALL * 4)
+/* Max size of a large rectangle game window */
+#define GAME_MAX_RECT_Y_LARGE 52
+#define GAME_MAX_RECT_X_LARGE (GAME_MAX_RECT_Y_LARGE * 4)
 
 /* Maximum length of a game message set with game_set_message() */
 #define GAME_MAX_MESSAGE_SIZE 64
@@ -56,7 +57,7 @@
 #define GAME_MESSAGE_DEFAULT_TIMEOUT 3
 
 
-/***** NETWORKING CONSTANTS *****/
+/***** START NETWORKING CONSTANTS *****/
 
 /* Header starts after custom packet type byte. Comprised of: NetworkVersion (1b) + GameType (1b) + id (4b) */
 #define GAME_PACKET_HEADER_SIZE (1 + 1 + sizeof(uint32_t))
@@ -70,6 +71,9 @@
 /* Current version of networking protocol */
 #define GAME_NETWORKING_VERSION 0x01
 
+/***** END NETWORKING CONSTANTS *****/
+
+
 typedef void cb_game_update_state(GameData *game, void *cb_data);
 typedef void cb_game_render_window(GameData *game, WINDOW *window, void *cb_data);
 typedef void cb_game_kill(GameData *game, void *cb_data);
@@ -84,7 +88,9 @@ typedef enum GamePacketType {
 
 typedef enum GameWindowShape {
     GW_ShapeSquare = 0u,
+    GW_ShapeSquareLarge,
     GW_ShapeRectangle,
+    GW_ShapeRectangleLarge,
     GW_ShapeInvalid,
 } GameWindowShape;
 
@@ -210,8 +216,6 @@ void game_set_cb_on_packet(GameData *game, cb_game_on_packet *func, void *cb_dat
  * `id` should be a unique integer to indentify the game instance. If we're being invited to a game
  *   this identifier should be sent via the invite packet.
  *
- * `force_small_window` will make the game window small.
- *
  * if `multiplayer_data` is non-null this indicates that we accepted a game invite from a contact.
  *   The data contains any information we need to initialize the game state.
  *
@@ -222,12 +226,12 @@ void game_set_cb_on_packet(GameData *game, cb_game_on_packet *func, void *cb_dat
  * Return -4 on other failure.
  */
 int game_initialize(const ToxWindow *self, Tox *m, GameType type, uint32_t id, const uint8_t *multiplayer_data,
-                    size_t length, bool force_small_window);
+                    size_t length);
 
 /*
- * Sets game window to `shape` and attempts to adjust size for best fit.
+ * Sets game window to `shape`.
  *
- * This should be called in the game's initialize function.
+ * This must be called on game initialization.
  *
  * Return 0 on success.
  * Return -1 if window is too small or shape is invalid.
diff --git a/src/game_centipede.c b/src/game_centipede.c
index 098df4b..ccc53ea 100644
--- a/src/game_centipede.c
+++ b/src/game_centipede.c
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@
 #define CENT_MUSHROOMS_POP_CONSTANT 35000
 
 /* Max number of mushrooms */
-#define CENT_MUSHROOMS_LENGTH (GAME_MAX_SQUARE_X * GAME_MAX_SQUARE_Y)
+#define CENT_MUSHROOMS_LENGTH (GAME_MAX_SQUARE_X_DEFAULT * GAME_MAX_SQUARE_X_DEFAULT)
 
 /* Max number of individual centipedes at any given time */
 #define CENT_MAX_NUM_HEADS    20
@@ -1714,6 +1714,7 @@ static int cent_init_state(GameData *game, CentState *state)
 
 int centipede_initialize(GameData *game)
 {
+    // note: If this changes we must update CENT_MUSHROOMS_LENGTH
     if (game_set_window_shape(game, GW_ShapeSquare) == -1) {
         return -1;
     }
diff --git a/src/game_chess.c b/src/game_chess.c
index 23ef4d8..9bcf93e 100644
--- a/src/game_chess.c
+++ b/src/game_chess.c
@@ -1864,7 +1864,7 @@ static void chess_notify(const GameData *game, ChessPacketType type)
         }
 
         case CHESS_PACKET_RESIGN: {
-            msg = "Opponnet has resigned";
+            msg = "Opponent has resigned";
             break;
         }
 
diff --git a/src/game_life.c b/src/game_life.c
index b4705de..cb31765 100644
--- a/src/game_life.c
+++ b/src/game_life.c
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ typedef struct LifeState {
     TIME_MS    time_last_cycle;
     size_t     speed;
     size_t     generation;
+    bool       paused;
 
     Cell       **cells;
     int        num_columns;
@@ -321,7 +322,9 @@ void life_cb_render_window(GameData *game, WINDOW *win, void *cb_data)
 
     move(state->curs_y, state->curs_x);
 
-    curs_set(1);
+    if (state->generation == 0 || state->paused) {
+        curs_set(1);
+    }
 
     life_draw_cells(game, win, state);
 }
@@ -478,6 +481,7 @@ void life_cb_on_keypress(GameData *game, int key, void *cb_data)
 
         case '\t': {
             life_toggle_display_candy(state);
+            break;
         }
 
         default: {
@@ -501,6 +505,17 @@ static void life_free_cells(LifeState *state)
     free(state->cells);
 }
 
+void life_cb_pause(GameData *game, bool is_paused, void *cb_data)
+{
+    if (!cb_data) {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    LifeState *state = (LifeState *)cb_data;
+
+    state->paused = is_paused;
+}
+
 void life_cb_kill(GameData *game, void *cb_data)
 {
     if (!cb_data) {
@@ -574,8 +589,15 @@ static int life_init_state(GameData *game, LifeState *state)
 
 int life_initialize(GameData *game)
 {
-    if (game_set_window_shape(game, GW_ShapeRectangle) == -1) {
-        return -1;
+    // Try best fit from largest to smallest before giving up
+    if (game_set_window_shape(game, GW_ShapeRectangleLarge) == -1) {
+        if (game_set_window_shape(game, GW_ShapeSquareLarge) == -1) {
+            if (game_set_window_shape(game, GW_ShapeRectangle) == -1) {
+                if (game_set_window_shape(game, GW_ShapeSquare) == -1) {
+                    return -1;
+                }
+            }
+        }
     }
 
     LifeState *state = calloc(1, sizeof(LifeState));
@@ -596,6 +618,7 @@ int life_initialize(GameData *game)
     game_set_cb_update_state(game, life_cb_update_game_state, state);
     game_set_cb_render_window(game, life_cb_render_window, state);
     game_set_cb_on_keypress(game, life_cb_on_keypress, state);
+    game_set_cb_on_pause(game, life_cb_pause, state);
     game_set_cb_kill(game, life_cb_kill, state);
 
     return 0;
diff --git a/src/game_snake.c b/src/game_snake.c
index 929a8cf..b3d2390 100644
--- a/src/game_snake.c
+++ b/src/game_snake.c
@@ -29,8 +29,8 @@
 #include "game_snake.h"
 #include "misc_tools.h"
 
-#define SNAKE_MAX_SNAKE_LENGTH     (GAME_MAX_SQUARE_X * GAME_MAX_SQUARE_Y)
-#define SNAKE_AGENT_MAX_LIST_SIZE  (GAME_MAX_SQUARE_X * GAME_MAX_SQUARE_Y)
+#define SNAKE_MAX_SNAKE_LENGTH     (GAME_MAX_SQUARE_X_DEFAULT * GAME_MAX_SQUARE_Y_DEFAULT)
+#define SNAKE_AGENT_MAX_LIST_SIZE  (GAME_MAX_SQUARE_X_DEFAULT * GAME_MAX_SQUARE_Y_DEFAULT)
 
 #define SNAKE_DEFAULT_SNAKE_SPEED 6
 #define SNAKE_DEFAULT_AGENT_SPEED 1
@@ -850,6 +850,7 @@ static void snake_initialize_snake_head(const GameData *game, Snake *snake)
 
 int snake_initialize(GameData *game)
 {
+    // note: if this changes we must update SNAKE_MAX_SNAKE_LENGTH and SNAKE_AGENT_MAX_LIST_SIZE
     if (game_set_window_shape(game, GW_ShapeSquare) == -1) {
         return -1;
     }
diff --git a/src/game_util.h b/src/game_util.h
index 36e5716..7ceb680 100644
--- a/src/game_util.h
+++ b/src/game_util.h
@@ -100,4 +100,3 @@ size_t game_util_pack_u32(uint8_t *bytes, uint32_t v);
 size_t game_util_unpack_u32(const uint8_t *bytes, uint32_t *v);
 
 #endif  // GAME_UTIL
-
diff --git a/src/global_commands.c b/src/global_commands.c
index 8350561..28536f5 100644
--- a/src/global_commands.c
+++ b/src/global_commands.c
@@ -367,19 +367,8 @@ void cmd_game(WINDOW *window, ToxWindow *self, Tox *m, int argc, char (*argv)[MA
         return;
     }
 
-    bool force_small = false;
-
-    if (argc >= 2) {
-        force_small = strcasecmp(argv[2], "small") == 0;
-
-        if (!force_small) {
-            line_info_add(self, false, NULL, NULL, SYS_MSG, 0, 0, "Unknown argument.");
-            return;
-        }
-    }
-
     uint32_t id = rand();
-    int ret = game_initialize(self, m, type, id, NULL, 0, force_small);
+    int ret = game_initialize(self, m, type, id, NULL, 0);
 
     switch (ret) {
         case 0: {
@@ -387,8 +376,7 @@ void cmd_game(WINDOW *window, ToxWindow *self, Tox *m, int argc, char (*argv)[MA
         }
 
         case -1: {
-            line_info_add(self, false, NULL, NULL, SYS_MSG, 0, 0,
-                          "Window is too small. Try enlarging your window or re-running the command with the 'small' argument.");
+            line_info_add(self, false, NULL, NULL, SYS_MSG, 0, 0, "Window is too small.");
             return;
         }