Dear Silica community, Another week, and another minor update has arrived. This time, the focus lies on improvements to Harvester pathfinding and movement, as well as unit direct control to RTS where the Commander can select a single unit and switch into it, while not leaving the role. Here&apos;s the complete changelog: <ul><li>Added: Unit Direct Control to RTS</li><li>Added: Player tags for friendly units</li><li>Improved: Harvester navigation graphs</li><li>Improved: Wheeled vehicles (inc. Harvester) no longer do many-point turns to turn around when there is room</li><li>Fixed: If player limit was not changed in Server setup, the maximum value was used</li></ul>We hope you&apos;ll enjoy these fixes and improvements and stay tuned for next week&apos;s update. See you on Baltarus!

 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

Update 0.7.16

Another week, and another minor update has arrived. This time, the focus lies on improvements to Harvester pathfinding and movement, as well as unit direct control to RTS where the Commander can select a single unit and 

switch into it, while not leaving the role. 

We hope you'll enjoy these fixes and improvements and stay tuned for next week's update. 

Another week, another update!

latest news