Bohemia Interactive today released version 1.0 of Silica, a sci-fi game combining real-time strategy and first-person shooter gameplay in a war for control of the desert planet Baltarus. Developed by Martin Melichárek as part of the Bohemia Incubator program, Silica puts players in command of armies fighting over the planet's resources, with the freedom to lead their forces from above or join the battle themselves. After more than three years in Early Access, the full release introduces a new story-driven campaign, expanded tactical options, and improvements to multiplayer.
Watch the 1.0 release trailer here.
A Three-Sided War, Two Ways to Fight
On the distant planet of Baltarus, two rival human factions, Sol and Centauri, compete for control of valuable resources, only to find themselves facing resistance from the planet's native alien inhabitants. What begins as a struggle between human forces becomes a three-sided war, with each faction bringing its own units, technology, and approach to combat.
At the heart of Silica is its combination of two distinct approaches to warfare. Players can take the role of a commander, gathering resources, constructing bases, producing units, and directing armies from a strategic perspective. Alternatively, they can experience the fighting firsthand, taking control of soldiers, vehicles, and alien creatures directly on the battlefield.
New Story Campaign
The 1.0 release centers around the Centauri Campaign, a new single-player experience that features a story-driven conflict on Baltarus. Beginning with a cinematic introduction, the campaign features fully voiced mission briefings and in-game dialogue, while a 3D planetary globe tracks the progress of the war and shifting territorial control between missions. Progress can be saved at any point and automatic checkpoints are also available.
Smarter Armies, Competitive Matchmaking
The update also brings improvements to army command and unit behavior. Commanders can now arrange units into formations, issue more precise movement and attack orders, and select units of the same type more quickly. Improvements to AI targeting and vehicle movement help armies operate more effectively during large-scale engagements, while expanded sandbox tools make it easier to create custom scenarios and share them with other players through Steam Workshop.
For players who prefer to challenge others, new 1v1 matchmaking makes it easier to find an opponent, select factions, and exclude unwanted maps without manually browsing servers. This system brings further improvements to dedicated server reliability, connection stability, and team-killer detection.
Available Now
Overall, with its full release, Silica offers four main ways to play: Strategy, cooperative Strategy with adjustable difficulty, the new story Campaign, and competitive 1v1 matchmaking. Whether coordinating an offensive from above, fighting on the front lines, or following the story of the Centauri faction, the game provides multiple unique ways to experience the conflict on Baltarus.
Silica 1.0 is available now on PC via Steam. Those who already owned the Early Access version receive the full update at no additional cost.
Our story began with our first game, Arma: Cold War Assault, which was released in 2001. Developed by just a handful of people, this PC-exclusive title became a massive success. It sold well over a million copies, received numerous industry awards, and was praised by critics and players alike. Since then, we've grown from a ragtag bunch of garage devs to an international family of over 350 professionals – working on Arma 3, DayZ, Ylands, Vigor, the Enfusion engine, and various other projects. Our ambition: to make games that act as platforms for people to explore, create, and connect.
For more information, please visit www.bistudio.com.