New update introduces the Alien Queen to the Strategy game mode!

Update 0.8.49

"The Queen calls to her spawn, an inaudible link of the mind. She nests, interfacing with the biotic mass using her tendrils. They listen to her every command, yet, migrating leaves her vulnerable - an opportune moment for her elimination..." 

-- Elite Captain Brenn of the Heavy Ordnance Unit

Today's update introduces the Alien Queen to the Strategy game mode, whose elimination results in a loss for the Aliens, previously tied to the Nest. As an added bonus there are a multitude of performance optimizations, primarily improving late game performance with tons of units, as well as a plethora of fixes and improvements. Not forgotten are improvements and fixes to voice chat, which suffered from occasional looping.

The Queen herself is a formidable opponent, capable of defending herself should the need arise, though given her importance to the success of the Alien swarm, it is best to keep her safe and protected in a Nest.

With the above complete, our focus now shifts to improved respawn mechanics, AI collision avoidance, and the introduction of control points to all maps, providing additional objectives to capture and hold. Further performance improvements will continue to be worked on throughout the year.

Thank you all for your support, your feedback, and your patience.

Please take care and see you on Baltarus!"

Hail to the Queen!

The long-awaited voice chat and proximity chat are finally here.

Update 0.8.40

After a period of radio silence regarding updates, we are introducing a new batch of additions, changes, and fixes to enhance your experience with update 0.8.40.

The most significant addition is the long-awaited voice chat and proximity chat, enabling you to easily communicate with all the players on the battlefield. To speak in the game, simply press and hold "V" on the keyboard or button 4 on your mouse.

But remember, with great power comes great responsibility, so always be respectful to your fellow players and refrain from offensive behavior.

As always, the full changelog is listed below.

In-game voice communication is here!

We are introducing a special bundle for all fans of unconventional RTS games.

Silica and Original War bundle.

For all fans of unconventional RTS games, we have prepared the Strategic Pack Bundle on Steam, which includes Silica and Original War.

Venture into the distant corners of the universe and compete for valuable materials on the arid deserts of planet Baltarus, or travel 2 million years into the past and change the course of human history.

Silica offers a unique blend of careful strategic planning as a Commander in RTS mode, but you can always switch to FPS and enjoy adrenaline-infused infantry and vehicular warfare. 

Original War puts you in the boots of time-travelers on a quest for world dominance and combines RTS with RPG elements, along with two story-driven campaigns. 

Enjoy a 20% discount on both games when you purchase this bundle.

Strategy Pack Bundle just landed on Steam

Update 0.8.32 brings balancing changes and more!

Update 0.8.32

As you can see, Dram is delivering on the promises he made when he released the roadmap, and another update is here! It mainly focuses on balancing various unit attributes but also introduces a new vehicle and visual effects. See the full changelog below.

Additionally, Silica will be part of the 

As usual, please let us know what you think on our social channels and Discord. If you enjoy our game, consider giving us a review.

We look forward to seeing you in Baltarus!

Attention, a new update has just landed!

The update 0.8.29 is here, including new ambient life.

Update 0.8.29

the vast dunes of the Baltarus deserts just got more dangerous as new life emerges from the depths. Download our latest update and experience the close encounter of a worm kind for yourself. But the sand worms are not the only additions in update 0.8.29, as you can see in the changelog below.

We have worms for you!

The second update of this year just landed online.

Update 0.8.23

Last week, we shared our development roadmap for this year. If you missed it, you can find it 

. Today, an update for version 0.8.23 landed on Steam, introducing several balancing changes and finally bringing the long-awaited Hover Bike for faster transportation of human infantry units.

Don't forget to give us feedback on our social media or support the development by purchasing our 

Second update of 2024

Take a look back at the year 2023 with us, find out what's in store for Silica in 2024 and check our first update of the year.

The year 2023 in review, the roadmap for 2024 and v.0.8.22 changelog

First of all, we’d like to wish you all a happy 2024, and thank you for your constant support and feedback last year. During that time, Dram was able to address many issues and bugs, and also managed to implement new features which were highly appraised.

Silica was announced on April 6th, 2023 as the first game under our renewed 

. It entered Early Access on Steam less than a month later. So far it’s been a pretty wild ride.

Over the past year, we’ve delivered nearly 25 updates, ranging from simple hotfixes to the reworking of entire features like:  

That’s what 2023 looked like. Now let’s discuss what comes next – a.k.a the Roadmap for Silica in 2024!

The original plan was to release 1.0 and exit Early Access in May 2024. Unfortunately, there are still plenty of things we’d like to finish before that happens. We want Silica to be in the best condition possible, so we’ve decided to push the release date back to Q4 of 2024.

Following that, Q3 and Q4 will be dedicated to the full release of Silica 1.0!

As you can see, there’s a lot to do and much to look forward to. If you‘re interested in a more detailed description of the roadmap, check out the video made by Dram. And if you want to show off that you’re a part of the Silica community, 

Finally, to show you that work on Silica never stops, here’s the changelog for the latest game update v.0.8.22:

 We look forward to having you with us in 2024, and hope that Silica 1.0 will meet your expectations.

Thank you for your support and see you on Baltarus!

The year 2023 in review, the roadmap for 2024 and the latest changelog

 Steam Networking API changes, and  performance optimizations

Update 0.8.76

We have just released an update focusing almost exclusively on multiplayer networking both in terms of stability and scalability. We have moved from the old Steam Networking API to the new Steam Networking Sockets API. This was a massive change requiring a significant time investment, requiring the AI overhaul to be put on hold. With this done, AI takes the top of the priority list again, so expect to see big improvements in this regard very soon.

Additionally, numerous performance optimizations have also made it in, further improving framerate. 

In any case, a list of changes is detailed below. Again, thank you for your support and especially patience.

Silica is a complex work of passion that takes a ton of work to polish and we are all looking forward to the day we release a perfected 1.0.

Added: Aim compensation for Siege Tank and Armed Transport

Added: Chat, TeamChat and ServerChat console commands

Changed: Siege Tank projectile now has ballistic arc

Changed: Squid may use both speed boost attack and explode attack at the same time

Fixed: Crab stop/start/stop motion on lower FPS

Added: Sending packets through lanes, separating reliable and unreliable

Changed: Overhauled Steam networking layer to use Steam Networking Sockets

Fixed: Server advertised only once fully loaded

Fixed: Trying to connect while loading could result in not being able to join again

Fixed: Net Update packets were being sent as reliable (should be unreliable)

Fixed: Messages remained in the read buffer, allowing them to build up

Fixed: When connection is ended but not informed, disconnect client/server if sending a packet returns no connection

Fixed: Input stuttering from noisy devices

Fixed: Commander unit selection window not cleared on open menu

Optimized: CreatureTurret LOS check uses batched raycasts

Optimized: Soldier LOS check now uses batched Raycasts

Optimized: AI pathfinding calls spread out over time

Optimized: Use poll group for client connections on server for faster reading

Optimized: Network traffic based on load for damage and pathfinding paths

Optimized: Unreliable packets not sent for a while if the send buffer is full

Optimized: Soldiers and aliens no longer use animated colliders, using a custom algorithm

Changed: Squid explode damage from 2500 to 3500

Changed: Dragonfly Health from 200 to 300

Changed: Dragonfly latch on force from 3.5 to 5

Changed: Wasp latch on force from 3.5 to 5

Changed: Fighter magazine size from 100 to 40

Update 0.8.76 now deployed!

New alien unit: Squid; optimization and balancing

Update 0.8.66

"Commander, this is [REDACTED] reporting in. Several incoming hostiles detected, approaching fast, requesting backup... Holy sh... Mayday! Mayday! Unit

 [REDACTED] just took a hit and is going down! Need immediate assistance! Several squid-like bogies are closing...

-- Last transmission of the Aerial Covert Ops team  

A pleasant morning or afternoon to you all!

An update has just been released focusing on optimization as well as the addition of the 

, a kamikaze alien unit that is intended to counter human air units, though serves the purpose against ground units as well.

Some balancing changes have also made it in while the focus shifts to the planned, sweeping overhaul of AI. This will continue for some time, so stay tuned!

Without your support the game would not be half of what it is today, so a very personal thank you from the team.

Take care and see you in the skies of Baltarus!

Squid Update !

Today's update introduces numerous fixes, improvements and importantly, a new control keybinding system.

Update 0.8.57

"I was there; I had seen it. The lining of the cyst burst to reveal a creature of horrific visage. No eyes to behold, yet a lust for violence to match the greatest of gladiators. It strode through the biotic mass from whence it came, then turned directly towards us. There was but a moment's pause, then; carnage. Without warning, a powerful beam eviscerated Corporal Adrian, borne of the monster's prominent posterior. We fled, but the Behemoth persisted. I recall a violent impact, and then... nothing. But I was fortunate; crushed beneath a mound of dirt and rock, I remained concealed while my detachment was devoured in the night. By daylight, I had made it back to base..."

-- Captain Geiger, lone survivor of the Advanced Forward Reconnaissance Team

Today's update introduces numerous fixes, improvements and importantly, a 

 has received a much needed rework, bringing it in line with other units that have received such. This was a side-step to the current, main focus of improving respawn mechanics and AI collision avoidance, but was highly requested.

Several recurring multiplayer issues have also been addressed, as well as further 

Thank you again for your support and have a wonderful week!

Control keybinding

Silica is included in the Steam FPS Fest at a 20% discount!

Silica in Steam FPS Fest.

Another great opportunity to get your hands on Silica at a discounted price is here right now. The 

 runs from now through April 22, and you can enjoy adrenaline shootouts on the sands of Baltarus at 

latest news

Update 0.8.76 now deployed!

Squid Update !

Control keybinding

Hail to the Queen!

In-game voice communication is here!

Steam FPS Fest starts now

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