Engines

Glest is more than just a game, it is a 3D RTS engine, meaning it can be customized based on the mods used to create the feeling of an entirely different game. Combined with the open-source nature of Glest, this makes it highly versatile. However, the original Glest fork is no longer being developed, with development having instead spread to the MegaGlest and Glest Advanced Engine forks. These two forks expand further on what Glest had, and add new features, making them the most common choice of development for modders and players today.

MegaGlest
MegaGlest is the most recent fork, having been developed by Softcoder and Titi largely as a method of exploring new particle systems and expanded multiplayer. It features unit particle systems (that is, particles that are always on while the unit is doing something. For example, smoke from a chimney), a master server, background loading images that vary by faction and scenario, and more. It also improves the AI and peformance, too.

Glest Advanced Engine
Glest Advanced Engine, or GAE, was the first fork to have been developed for Glest, and still in active development. While it cannot lay claim to a master server or stable multiplayer, it has more gameplay features, such as Auto-repair, effects, emanations, and water units.