Silica News

Hey Everyone,
We’re excited to kick off the first of many Devblogs, where we’ll take you behind the scenes of our game development journey. We’ll dive into upcoming plans, future updates, and, of course, give you some tantalizing sneak peeks at what’s in store—new game modes, maps, units, and more!
Let’s get straight to it.

Back in September, we unveiled a first look at the Sol structures, and your response was incredible! The excitement around this new design has been amazing, so we’re thrilled to bring you even more updates and visuals on this front. 😉

As many of you know, in Silica, the human empire is split between two factions: Centauri and Sol.
While Sol dominates through technological advancement and trade across the galaxy, Centauri is known for its martial prowess and ruthless efficiency, forged by the harsh conditions of their unforgiving environments. Although the two factions began on similar paths, they've grown increasingly distinct over the decades, diverging to the point of no return and now entering a full-scale conflict.



We’re crafting these differences not only through gameplay but also through distinct aesthetics—everything from weapons and combat style to uniform designs and architectural structures will emphasize the contrast between these two factions.

More schreenshots below:
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While we still have work to do before you see these updates in-game, we don’t want to give away everything just yet. Expect more soon on sol’s unique visual style!


But wait, there’s more! What good is a well-fortified base without strategic ground to defend it on? That’s why we’re excited to reveal a brand-new Biome: Centaurus.



The map’s most striking feature is its ominous dark red sky, illuminated by its Red Dwarf star, combined with constant rainfall that fosters lush vegetation.

The thick vegetation will greatly reduce visibility, intensifying the tension in every battle.

More schreenshots below:
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Last but not least:

The Discord community just hit an exciting milestone—over 6,000 members and growing! 🎉

A massive thank you to everyone for your amazing support! If you haven't joined yet, now's the perfect time to jump in. Connect with fellow players, stay on top of the latest news, and be part of the action. Don't miss out—click the link below to join the fun!



We can’t wait for you to experience all of these exciting new additions yourself. However, keep in mind that this content is still in development, so things may change before the official release.

See you on Baltarus.
OVER AND OUT!

Hello everyone,

The screenshots contest is back and better than ever! 📸🎮

From the 26th of September to the 3rd of October, you can join our event and showcase your best moments from the epic Baltarus battlefield.

Capture your most stunning screenshots or videos, and you could win a free Silica key and a limited-edition T-shirt!



Ready to jump in? Simply share your top shot in our discord dedicated channel.



Our team will review all submissions, and we’ll announce the three lucky winners shortly after the event wraps up!

Not sure how to use the freecam in-game? No problem—we’ve got you covered with this handy guide.



Good luck, and may the best shots win! 📷✨

Screenshot Contest Rules

1. Contest Period:
The contest runs from 26th of September to the 3rd of October. All entries must be submitted before the deadline to be eligible.

2. How to Enter:
To participate, capture your best screenshot or video from the Baltarus battlefield and post it in the dedicated contest channel.
Each participant can submit up to 3 entries.

3. Submission Guidelines:
• Screenshots and videos must be from the game.
• Submissions should be your original work—no use of others’ content.
• Screenshots can be edited for color correction, brightness, or contrast adjustments, but heavy manipulation (e.g., adding objects or changing environments) is not allowed.
• All content must adhere to our community guidelines (no inappropriate or offensive material).

4. Judging Criteria:
Entries will be judged on the following:
• Creativity and originality
• Composition and visual appeal
Our team of judges will review all submissions and select 3 winners based on these criteria.

5. Prizes:
The top 3 winners will each receive:
• 1 free Silica key
• 1 exclusive T-shirt

6. Winner Announcement:
Winners will be announced shortly after the contest ends. We will contact the winners directly via discord to arrange prize delivery.

7. Additional Rules:
• By submitting an entry, you grant us permission to share your screenshot or video on our platforms with proper credit.
• Prizes are non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash.
• Winners must be living in Europe or North America to be eligible for the T shirts delivery.


Good luck to all participants, and may the best screenshots win! 📸🎮

Ready to explore the captivating aesthetics of Baltarus in your own unique way?

We've got just what you need! With our freecam feature, you can unleash your creativity and take full control of your experience.

Dive in and let your imagination run wild!

To use the free cam mode, follow the next steps:

1. Set Your Keyboard to English: Before anything else, ensure your keyboard is set to English.
2. Start the Game: and in the main menu, open the Console: Press the ` key (right under the Escape key) to toggle the console.
3. Enable Cheats: Once the console is open, type "cheats" to activate cheat mode.
4. Pick your map: In the console enter the map name, for example : Map riftbasin mp_sandbox.
All the other map names can be found here:
Badlands // CombatDome // GreatErg // MonumentValley // NarakaCity // RiftBasin

Pro Tips and shortcuts:

• Free-Fly Camera: Press the F key to enable or disable the free-fly camera.
• Access the Spawn Menu: Hit Backspace to launch the spawn menu. Use "-" and "=" to cycle through the menu, and switch between teams using "[" and "]".
• Spawn Units: Just press the number key associated with the unit to spawn it.
• Pause the Game: Press the Pause Break key to pause the action.
• Hide the HUD: Press G multiple times to fully hide the GUI (there are 3-4 layers of UIs).
• Change Time of Day: Hold down the "+" or "-" keys to adjust the time of day in-game.
• Adjust Field of View (FOV): Hold the mouse wheel button and scroll to change the FOV.
• Camera Binding: Right-click on any part of a vehicle or character to bind the camera to that point. Press it again to unbind. You can further tweak the camera smoothness in the options menu.
• Take Screenshots: Capture the moment by pressing PRT SCN or F12. If you use F12, your screenshots will automatically save via Steam.

Additional Recommendations for Enhanced Creativity:

• Disable AI: To prevent units from wandering off while setting up your scene, open the console and type ai to turn off AI.
• Disable Damage: Use the damage command to stop units from attacking each other during setup.
• Slow Motion: Hold the middle mouse button (third button) to put the game into slow motion for cinematic shots.
• Multiple GUI Layers: Press G 3-4 times to completely hide all UI elements.
• RTS to FreeCam: If you're using mp_sandbox, you can switch between RTS view and FreeCam with the "Toggle Strategy Mode" shortcut (default key: Right Enter). This feature is incredibly useful for preparing scenes, giving orders, and then recording.

Now you have all the knowledge to use the free cam functionality. We cannot wait to see your artwork so feel free to share them on our discord our on our social media.

Pro Tips for Conquering Baltarus from Our Ambassadors!

Whether you're a seasoned warrior or have just touched down on Baltarus, understanding the roles and mechanics of each unit can be a challenge. But don’t worry—we’ve got you covered!
Our ambassadors, LycanMB and LuchoGamingLB, have put together exactly the kind of tips you need to dominate the battlefield. Let’s dive into their insights!

Human and Alien Units: Who's Who on Baltarus?

Humans — From infantry units and tanks to utility vehicles and air support, the human factions of Centauri and SOL bring an arsenal of weapons and tools to seize control of Baltarus. Learn more about each playable unit and how to use them effectively in this video:

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]


Aliens — Don’t be fooled by their primitive appearance! Aliens have a few tricks up their sleeves. With their incredible speed, organization, and adaptation to Baltarus' harsh climate, they’re a force to be reckoned with. Want to learn more about their unique abilities and strategies?

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

Coop and what to do.

Now that you’ve got a grip on the basics, it's time to jump into the action! The INTRODUCTION MISSION is perfect for learning the ropes, whether you’re going solo or teaming up in co-op mode. It’s designed to give you all the tools and knowledge you need to become the ultimate soldier—or alien!
More information about this mission here: LINK

Looking for More tips ? 🎥

If you're feeling uncertain about what to do when you first land down on Baltarus, don't worry—LuchoGamingLB has you covered!
Check out his guide to master your initial steps on the battlefield.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

And if you’re flying solo but want to share the experience with others, join our community on Discord and find some active players to team up with!
See you on Baltarus, and stay tuned for more updates!

We’re thrilled to celebrate Bohemia Interactive's 25th anniversary with an exciting offer: Silica is now 20% off!
From September 12th to September 19th, seize this chance to dive into the intense battles of Baltarus.

If you haven't experienced the action yet, there's never been a better time to jump in, especially with our latest update that just released!

This update introduces a brand-new introductory mission, perfect for both new recruits and returning players.

You know what’s even better? You can enjoy this mission in co-op mode!

Find all the details about the update [HERE].



Looking for teammates to join you on the battlefield but don’t know anyone who plays yet? No worries! Join our community on Discord to connect with seasoned players and start your adventure together!

Don't miss out—get in on the action now!