Homeworld 3

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Homeworld 3
Technical Information
Developer	Blackbird Interactive
Publisher	Gearbox Software
Release Date	13th May 2024
Game Information
Story	Unknown
Year	100 years after Homeworld 2

Homeworld 3 is an upcoming video game in the Homeworld series. Set 100 years following the events of Homeworld 2, it will be the fifth game in the series, planned for release on the Steam and Epic Games Stores.

After a long period of uncertainty and speculation, due to various acquisitions and statements by different IP owners since 2008, the game was formally announced by Gearbox Software at the PAX East convention on 30th August 2019. It will be developed by Blackbird Interactive, which consists of numerous former employees of Relic Entertainment, the original studio who produced Homeworld and Homeworld 2. The game has been fully funded by Gearbox Software, who are the current owners of the IP for the series.

When the pre-order campaign launched, the community were invited to back the game via crowdfunding using the Fig platform, with a claim that any backers would get a "backstage pass" in understanding the process behind the development of the game from start to finish. This campaign was effectively closed on 29th May 2023, when the Fig website was shut down by Republic, a fintech company who had acquired Fig in 2020 and which had previously indicated that Fig would be merged into Republic at an unknown time in the future. However, significant controversy surrounding the frequency and usefulness of these updates plagued the campaign for most of its existence, with most updates generally focusing on concept art, Homeworld Mobile and other non-Homeworld 3 related information.

Background

The Homeworld IP was originally owned by Sierra Entertainment, a subsidiary of Vivendi Games, who published Homeworld, Homeworld: Cataclysm and Homeworld 2. Relic Entertainment, who created the franchise, were acquired by THQ in 2004, making further Homeworld games unlikely. In a surprise move, THQ purchased the Homeworld IP rights from Sierra in 2007, but did not develop a new game. In 2013 THQ collapsed and the Homeworld IP was purchased by Gearbox.

In the meantime, many of the key personnel involved in making the original games had left Relic and set up Blackbird Interactive. In 2010 they began work on Hardware: Shipbreakers, a brand new strategy game set in a new universe. After Gearbox acquired the IP, they contacted Blackbird to assist in the making of Homeworld Remastered. They then worked out a publication deal with Blackbird for Shipbreakers, recasting it as a Homeworld prequel game set on Kharak before the events of the original title.

However, scope remained for a new Homeworld title set in space after the events of Homeworld 2. Gearbox confirmed they would explore this possibility based on the success of the new games. They also indicated that they approached the updates to the Homeworld 2 engine so they could use it to make new games as well.

"According to Martel, despite its age, the HW2 engine is "so strong and capable," thanks, in part, to the efforts Gearbox has made to upgrade the platform, that it could handle any theoretical sequel. Of course, Martel was quick to add that a Homeworld sequel may not take the same form as the first two, and the team would have to sit down with the game's original creators to "look at what the next game would be."" — Brian Martel, Gearbox Software

"Like any good Homeworld obsessive, I asked what sort of conditions would need to be met before any discussions were had around Homeworld 3. Naturally, sales of the remastered collection will be a big part of it, and a discussion will have to be had with the game's original creative team, currently working on prequel game (Homeworld: Shipbreakers). From their voices, however, it's clear that Martel and Faylor are smitten with the series, describing the remastering project as a "labor of love." And while they're currently in a "wait-and-see holding pattern," if the demand proves strong enough, then the pair would "love to make Homeworld 3."" — Brian Martel

In March 2019 during PAX East, Gearbox Publishing teased that they are preparing a future for the Homeworld Franchise. At PAX East, it was announced that Homeworld 3 and Homeworld Mobile are to be developed, alongside an additional Fig Campaign. Within the first month of the campaign, it had accrued over $1 million in additional support from the community.

On 10 June 2022, despite assurances that the game would meet its initial launch date of Q4 2022, it was confirmed that the game would release within the first six months of 2023 instead. Once again, despite repeated assurances of a launch in H1 2023, the date was pushed back to Q1 2024. In May 2023, the game was delayed to February 2024. On December 1, 2023, Gearbox announced that the game would be released on March 8, 2024. .

Before the game was released (8th March) there was a Demo of the game about Wargames from the 5th of February to 12th February. Halfway though the Demo trail, it was announced that it was pushed back to May 13th and people getting the pre-orders for the 10th of May

Story

As yet, the full story and events of Homeworld 3 remain unknown, although some details were released during Gamescom 2022, which provided a backstory to the premise of the game as a whole. This included a confirmation of the story taking place exactly 100 years after the events of Homeworld 2 and being a continuation of some plot points shown at the very end of the previous game, such as the unlocking of the Great Network of Hyperspace Gates by Karan S'jet. Gamescom 2022 also confirmed that, during the intervening period of time between the two games, Karan had led a fleet into something called "The Anomaly" to determine its impact to the galaxy, as it had apparently the ability to swallow up other hyperspace gates and other planets. However, Karan did not return from this expedition and is presumed missing. It is the task of her successor to lead a new fleet with a mothership called the Khar-Kushan to unlock the mystery behind the so-called "Anomaly" threatening the galaxy.

The initial teaser trailer features several small ships making a jump through the Eye of Aarran, introduced in the closing cinematic of Homeworld 2. Concept art shows a Mothership-class vessel similar in design to the Pride of Hiigara (if not the Pride itself) commanding a fleet of smaller ships in battle, similarly to previous games in the series.

Several shots of concept art show fleets opposing the Hiigarans colored the same bright red as ships from early concept art of the Vaygr with a small number bearing strikingly similar designs and checkered color patterns. Other concept art shows ships designed similarly to the Taiidan Carrier and Ion Cannon Frigate with noticeable Taiidan design characteristics with one image having the carriers colored yellow and a distinct front hangar bay and another with the ion cannon frigates which have the most prevalent Taiidan design characteristics and colored white with a very faint green or grey secondary color on the accompanying vessels.

Another particular image shows Hiigaran fighter craft scaling a large ship with the distinct Taiidan Imperial color scheme. Potentially hinting at the return of the Taiidan Republic and Taiidan Imperialists who now fight for what remains of Makaan's fallen Vaygr Empire among the already leaderless Vaygr and empowered Hiigarans.

Some of the concept art shows extremely large spacecraft in the background of shots; it is unclear if these are background images or active participants in combat. It will also feature Megaliths, which were previously intended to feature in Homeworld 2, but technical restrictions at the time vastly restricted the scope of these in the final game. However, the specifics of how megaliths will feature in the game, and their impact to the completion of missions and the story, remain unknown.

At Gamescom 2022, it was confirmed that the player will be in control of a fleet headed up by Imogen S'jet, a member of Kiith S'jet who had become the successor to Karan in the intervening time. The details of Imogens' backstory are presently unknown, and the only fact known about her is that Imogen holds the key to unlocking the mystery around the so-called "Anomaly" threatening the galaxy.

Ships

While it is unknown what ships will be featured in the game, the campaign updates posted by the publishers of the series have revealed that two new ships will be included. These new ships include the Pirate Raider Fighter and the Railgun Frigate, but their final design and their intended purpose are under development.

Soundtrack

Paul Ruskay has been teaming with phenomenal musicians from around the world including Ffion Elisa, Onur Seçki, Sean Pádraig, Andrea Piccioni, Hesham Hamra and Konstantinos Kalatzis. All of them are producing the Homeworld 3 soundtrack. 2 of which are available to listen on Gearbox Software YouTube channel.

Fig Campaign Rewards

On the start of Fig Campaign in August 2019, there were 7 rewards. (The awards costed at $50, $60, $100, $150, $160, $300 and $1000) The rewards included:

• one game ($50 reward)
• two Homeworld Games ($100 reward)
• the exclusive Fig backer survey (Fig survey is now closed)
• Early Access to Homeworld Mobile
• Keys to Homeworld Remastered and Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak (The keys were issued to the campaign backers after the initial campaign closed)
• Fig digital collector's edition items (Fig-exclusive digital content like multiplayer name colors, backer ship decals, icons, and banners. Enter a name in the randomized pool of pilot names for Homeworld 3!)
• Homeworld 3 collector's edition which YOU get to influence.
• The Art of Homeworld (Second Edition) with 5x7 prints included.
• Homeworld 3 signed concept art print (singed by Rob Cunningham)
• Supporter-only Discord access

After the initial campaign finished, a few changes were made on the tiers.

• The $50, $160 and $1000 option is not available any more.
• Homeworld 3 signed concept Art print is no longer available
• The Homeworld Remastered and Deserts of Kharak bundle is no longer available.
• Art of Homeworld 2nd Edition book is no longer available.

Then on the 18th April Gearbox give a message that said in 72 hours (to April 21st the day that PAX East happened) that the Homeworld 3 Collectors Edition bundle is finished. On the April 21st PAX East happened and the $150 bundle disappeared. Some changes of the tiers including:

• $150 Homeworld 3 Collectors Bundle is no longer available.
• $60 and $100 is available.

Collector's Edition

The Collectors' Edition

As well as a digital release via Steam and Epic Games, Homeworld 3 Collectors Edition was also released as a physical boxed set. The boxed set includes The Mothership, Khar-Kushan, A Hiigaran Destroyer, A Hiigaran Torpedo Frigate, Hiigaran Recon in delta formation, WW2-inspired spotter deck, Homeworld 3 Logo keychain  and a Homeworld 3 Key Art Lithograph. The Digital Goods includes a Homeworld 3 base game Steam key, a Homeworld 3 Year One Pass Steam key: (A collection of content expanding the gameplay of both Homeworld 3's co-op, PvE roguelite mode and competitive PvP.) A Homeworld 3 soundtrack by Paul Ruskay Steam key. Ship decals, Icons, Banners and Multiplayer name colors.

Credits

• CEO: Rob Cunningham
• CCO and Creative Director: Rory Mcguire
• Studio Concept Director: Aaron Kambeitz
• Senior Producer: Matt Kernachan
• Art Director: Karl Gryc
• Design Lead: Lance Mueller
• Technical Director: Andrew Richie
• Core Gameplay Designer: Kat Neale
• Concept Artist: David T. Cheong
• Art lead: Stephen Mokrytzki
• FX artist: Tim O’Connell

See also

• Homeworld 3 Facebook Fan Page

External Site

• Homeworld 3 Website
• Homeworld 3 Gameplay Trailer from Gamescom 2022