0 A.D.: Empires Ascendant
Hacker News
February 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Wildfire Games has unveiled Release 28 of its free, open-source real-time strategy game, *0 A.D.: Empires Ascendant*, titled "Boiorix" after Boiorix, the king of the Cimbri Germanic tribe. This marks a significant milestone as it is the first release without the Alpha label, reflecting the project's maturation and increased focus on quality. Available for Windows, Linux, and macOS, *0 A.D.* remains entirely free to download, modify, and redistribute under GNU Public Licence version 2 (GPL v2) for code and Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike 3.0 (CC-BY-SA 3.0) for artwork. The game offers no freemium model or in-game ads, making it a pure open-source experience.
Release 28 introduces the "Germans" as a new faction, representing the Cimbri and other Germanic tribes migrating into Italy and France during the late 2nd century BC. This semi-nomadic civilization features unique mechanics like supply wagons and migratory resettlement, allowing for flexible economies and strategic movement. The Germans also boast an aggressive lineup of siege units, including a crush-dealing unit in each phase, adding depth to their military capabilities. Players can now engage in historical battles against Roman foes or explore alternate scenarios with the game's 14 existing factions.
In addition to the new faction, Release 28 includes several other improvements and features. These include gendered civilians, direct font rendering support for JavaScript modules, enhanced game setup options, lobby improvements, engine upgrades, and various quality-of-life enhancements like new quotes and tips. While the release lacks a video trailer due to the development team's limited resources, it provides an opportunity for contributors in areas such as video editing, social media management, website design, testing, translation, and more. The game continues to rely on community support, with options for donations to cover server hosting fees.
For tech enthusiasts and gamers interested in open-source projects, *0 A.D.* stands out as a testament to the power of volunteer-driven innovation. Its development model challenges traditional AAA game production by offering a collaborative, transparent alternative. With its historical warfare focus, strategic depth, and ongoing updates, *0 A.D.* remains a compelling choice for players seeking both creativity and accessibility in their gaming experience
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Originally published on Hacker News on 2/19/2026