Montreal, June 15th, 2026 – Panache Digital Games and acclaimed game creator Patrice Désilets have released the first episode of Behind the Shadows, a new Developer Diary series dedicated to the making of 1666: Amsterdam.
Titled “The Vision: The Real City That Became a Myth” this inaugural episode takes viewers behind the creative vision of the game, exploring how the team transformed the real streets of Amsterdam into a world shaped by mystery, superstition, and hidden truths.
Featured in the video:
- Patrice Désilets – Co-Founder & Creative Director
- Jean-François Boivin – Co-Founder & Executive Producer
- Éléa Gadéa – Researcher & Marketing Coordinator
- Maxime Fortin – Senior Level Designer
The diary reveals how the entire studio travelled to Amsterdam in 2024 to study the city’s streets, canals, architecture, sounds, and atmosphere firsthand. Rather than relying solely on historical references, the team immersed themselves in the city’s environment to better understand its scale, rhythm, and character.
Viewers will also learn more about the game’s exploration systems, including the ability to enter houses, traverse rooftops, and navigate the city alongside a feline companion, creating multiple opportunities for discovery and player choice.
Filmed at the historic Château Ramezay in Old Montreal, the first Developer Diary marks the beginning of a new series that will provide regular insights into the development of 1666: Amsterdam.
Key Quotes
“Inviting the studio to Amsterdam was, at its core, about sharing something. We gathered everyone and said: come into your game. Come experience it the way I did.”
Patrice Désilets, Co-Founder & Creative Director
“Looking at references online is one thing. Being there in person, seeing the proportions, feeling the textures and atmosphere, that’s something entirely different.”
Jean-François Boivin, Co-Founder & Executive Producer
“The player can explore every available house in the neighbourhood, enter through a window with their cat, move across rooftops, and discover entirely different opportunities depending on how they choose to approach the city.”
Maxime Fortin, Senior Level Designer
1666: Amsterdam is set to launch in Early Access on PC in 2026, with console versions planned for a later date. Players eager to follow this journey can now wishlist the game on Steam and the Epic Games Store. For more information about Panache Digital Games please visit the official website here.
About 1666: Amsterdam
A cycle is ending. Another one is beginning. Take part in Noa’s Commencement as she inherits the mantle of the Collector. Unravel a mystery that spans centuries. Choose the companion that will walk beside you. Follow the traces left behind in a city shaped by secrets, power, and memory. This is where everything begins.
About Panache
Panache Digital Games is a Montréal-based independent studio founded in 2014 by Patrice Désilets and Jean-François Boivin. With a team of over 60 developers, the studio creates bold, original experiences that push creative and systemic boundaries, with a strong focus on player-driven narratives and emergent gameplay.
