A new real-time strategy game called Panache has been released for mobile devices and web browsers, set in France during the Belle Époque period around 1900. According to reports from Simon Willison, the project emerged following the open-source release of Battle Drones under an Apache 2.0 License. A French-language fork of that earlier codebase quickly appeared, transforming the visual style into a steampunk-inspired 1900s France complete with an animated introduction sequence.
The Tech Behind the French Fork
The transition from the original Battle Drones project to Panache demonstrates how permissive open-source licensing allows developers to rapidly re-theme and build upon existing codebases. Panache incorporates period-specific units and concepts, including airships, steam-powered fardiers, Creusot battleships, kepi-wearing automata, and a walking fortress named Gargantua. The underlying architecture relies on the framework provided by the original Apache 2.0 release, though technical specifications regarding engine choices, cross-platform performance metrics, and multiplayer capabilities were not detailed in the available announcements.
What Remains Unknown
The announcement did not specify the full development roadmap for Panache, nor did it disclose whether the project will receive ongoing updates or expand beyond its current mobile and browser scope. Additionally, the developers have not outlined monetization models, hardware requirements, or whether the source code for the Panache fork will itself remain open source under the same Apache 2.0 terms as its predecessor. Further information regarding release timelines for potential platform expansions is currently unavailable.
Players can access and play Panache directly through supported mobile and browser environments.
Lead image: MART PRODUCTION / Pexels
