OpenFront forks are games that started from OpenFront's open-source code and then went their own way. The ones you can play today include FrontWars, Terratomic and TacticFront, and OpenFront itself began as a rewrite of an older game, WarFront.io. FrontWars is the one this site covers, and you can jump into a FrontWars match from our home page without installing anything.
What is an OpenFront fork?
A fork is a copy of a project's source code that a new team keeps developing separately. OpenFront publishes its code on GitHub, so anyone can take it, change the rules and run their own game.
How the family tree starts
- WarFront.io is the root. OpenFront's README calls OpenFront "a fork/rewrite of WarFront.io."
- OpenFront describes itself as "an online real-time strategy game focused on territorial control and alliance building."
- The forks each branched off OpenFront at a different point, as their own descriptions below show.
So when people search for OpenFront forks, they usually mean one of two things: a game that shares OpenFront's code, or simply a game that plays like it. This page covers the first group, using each project's own words.
The OpenFront forks you can play today
FrontWars
FrontWars is the fork this site is built around. Its owner describes frontwars.io as "a fork of OpenFront.io." On Steam it is listed as a free-to-play real-time strategy game where hundreds of players fight over one shared world map, with Classic, Fast and Chaos economies, team modes, Humans vs Nations, and community maps made in a built-in map editor. You can play it in the browser, on Steam and through an iPhone app.
Terratomic
Terratomic's README calls it "a large-scale Cold War strategy game featuring nuclear warfare, naval and air combat, and economic expansion," and "a fork of OpenFront.io, which itself was derived from WarFront.io." The project says it puts community feedback at the core of its roadmap. Its site, terratomic.io, labels the game as an alpha.
TacticFront
TacticFront's README describes "an online real-time strategy game focused on territorial control and alliance building," built from "elements found in early versions of Openfront." It calls itself "a fork and major rewrite of OpenFront.io." It runs at tacticfront.io.
How the forks compare
The table uses only what each project states on its own GitHub README, website or Steam page.
| Game | Based on (own words) | Where to play | Focus stated |
|---|---|---|---|
| OpenFront | Fork/rewrite of WarFront.io | openfront.io; Steam | Territorial control and alliance building |
| FrontWars | Fork of OpenFront.io (owner's post) | frontwars.io; Steam; App Store | Real-time strategy on one shared world map |
| Terratomic | Fork of OpenFront.io | terratomic.io (alpha) | Cold War: nuclear, naval and air combat, economic expansion |
| TacticFront | Fork and major rewrite of OpenFront.io | tacticfront.io | Territorial control and alliance building |
Reading the table
- Lineage tells you how much the base rules may overlap. A "major rewrite" can play quite differently from a straight fork.
- Focus is the quickest way to tell the games apart: FrontWars builds on the shared-map formula, Terratomic adds air and Cold War themes, and TacticFront follows early OpenFront design.
For a closer look at the two best-known games in this list, read our side-by-side look at FrontWars and OpenFront.
How to pick an OpenFront fork to play
Every game here is a browser strategy game about taking land, so the differences show up in the details.
Questions to ask before you switch
- Do you want to play the same game on Steam and in the browser? FrontWars and OpenFront both have Steam versions, and FrontWars says its Steam players share servers with the web version.
- Do you want to build your own maps? FrontWars ships a browser map editor for custom FrontWars maps and a Community Maps hub.
- Do you care about economy depth? FrontWars runs trains between factories, cities and ports; our explanation of how FrontWars factories and trains earn gold covers that system.
- Do you want air combat or a Cold War setting? Terratomic says that is its focus.
- Do you prefer early OpenFront design? TacticFront says it builds on those elements.
Try one match in each. They all run in a browser, and a single game tells you more than any feature list.
Best OpenFront Forks to Play in 2026
FrontWars is the best OpenFront fork in 2026 for players who want one game across browser, Steam and iPhone, with a built-in map editor.
1. FrontWars — Best for one game across browser, Steam and iPhone
FrontWars runs in the browser, on Steam and on iPhone, and Steam players share servers with the web version. It adds three economy modes (Classic, Fast and Chaos), Humans vs Nations, a browser map editor and a Community Maps hub where player-made maps are reviewed and can join public games.
2. Terratomic
A Cold War take on the formula with nuclear, naval and air combat. Development is driven by community feedback.
3. TacticFront
A major rewrite built on early OpenFront elements, focused on territorial control and alliance building.
OpenFront Forks FAQ
Is FrontWars a fork of OpenFront?
Yes. The owner of frontwars.io has described it as a fork of OpenFront.io.
What was WarFront.io?
WarFront.io is the older game that OpenFront started from. OpenFront's README calls OpenFront a fork and rewrite of WarFront.io, and both Terratomic and TacticFront trace their lineage back to it.
Can I play the OpenFront forks in a browser?
Yes. OpenFront, FrontWars, Terratomic and TacticFront all have their own websites where the game runs in the browser.
Where can I read the source code of these games?
OpenFront, Terratomic and TacticFront publish their code on GitHub with license files in each repository.
Are OpenFront forks the same game with a new name?
No. Each project states its own focus: Terratomic adds air combat and a Cold War theme, TacticFront describes itself as a major rewrite, and FrontWars adds its own modes, map editor and economy features.