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.

The diary reveals how the entire studio traveled 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 Rather than relying solely on historical references, the team immersed itself in the city’s environment to better understand its scale, rhythm, and character.

“Looking at references online is one thing. Being there in person, seeing the proportions, feeling the textures and atmosphere, that’s something entirely different,” says Jean-Francois Boivin, Co-Founder & Executive Producer.

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.

“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,” says Patrice Désilets, Co-Founder & Creative Director.

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.

“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,” says 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.

Check out the video and then tell us what you think on Bluesky and Twitter. Have you played the free prologue yet? Will you play once the game is released via early access?