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Panache — RTS Belle Époque pour mobile

A French language fork of the game Battle Drones has been released, reskinned to take place in steampunk 1900s France. This new version, called Panache, offers an animated intro and aesthetic updates.

Original reporting · simonwillison.net

Read “Panache — RTS Belle Époque pour mobile” at Simon Willison →
Panache — RTS Belle Époque pour mobile
Image: Simon Willison

How this was written. Content Memory wrote this article with a language model from Simon Willison’s reporting (model: @cf/meta/llama-3.3-70b-instruct-fp8-fast); it describes that reporting rather than adding to it. The original, linked above, is the full story.

Key points from Simon Willison’s report

  • Panache is a French language fork of the game Battle Drones, set in steampunk 1900s France.
  • The game features aesthetic updates, including an animated intro and a French twist on the music.
  • The release of Panache is an example of the potential of open-source game development, enabled by the developer's decision to release Battle Drones under an Apache 2.0 License.

A developer has released a new game called Panache, a French language fork of the game Battle Drones, according to Simon Willison. This new version is set in steampunk 1900s France and features aesthetic updates, including an animated intro. The game is available to play on mobile and browser.

Panache is a real-time strategy game that takes place in the Belle Époque era of France, around 1900. The game features dirigeables, Fardiers à vapeur, Creusot cuirassés, and automates en képi, among other elements. The game's music has also been updated with a French twist.

The release of Panache comes shortly after the developer released Battle Drones under an Apache 2.0 License, allowing others to modify and distribute the game. This has led to the creation of Panache, which offers a unique take on the original game. The new intro video is a notable addition to the game.

The gameplay of Panache remains largely the same as Battle Drones, with the updates focusing on aesthetic changes. The game's setting and characters have been reimagined in a steampunk style, giving it a distinct look and feel. Players can experience the game for themselves by clicking on the link provided.

Simon Willison reported that the release of Panache is a delightful example of the potential of open-source game development. The ability for others to modify and distribute the game has led to the creation of a unique and engaging new version. The developer's decision to release the game under an Apache 2.0 License has enabled this kind of creativity and innovation.

The future of Panache and other open-source games will depend on the continued creativity and innovation of developers. As more games are released under open-source licenses, we can expect to see more unique and engaging versions like Panache. The potential for open-source game development is significant, and it will be interesting to see how it evolves in the coming years.

The release of Panache is sponsored by Teleport, which offers AI agents and isolated ephemeral trusted runtimes. This technology allows for the monitoring and constraining of AI behavior, which is increasingly important as AI becomes more prevalent in game development and other fields.

Questions and answers

What is Panache?

Panache is a French language fork of the game Battle Drones, set in steampunk 1900s France.

What changes have been made to the game?

The updates to Panache are mostly aesthetic, with changes to the game's setting, characters, and music.

Where can I play Panache?

You can play Panache by clicking on the link provided, which will take you to the game's website where you can experience the new intro video and play the game.

Read the full story at Simon Willison More from Thursday, October 22, 2026’s edition