Homeworld 3

The initial launch of the Homeworld series dates back to 1999. Following THQ's purchase of intellectual property rights to the franchise, further developments were halted after the release of Homeworld 2 in 2003. The franchise went on to hibernate until 2013 when its rights were bought from THQ by Gearbox Software.[2]

The announcement of Homeworld 3 follows the release of the Homeworld Remastered Collection, as well as the prequel Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak. The Remastered Collection's positive critical reviews and reception by the former active community (which had remained somewhat active with the use of extensively modded versions of initial games)[3][4] as well as the Deserts of Kharak's respectable performance[5] were enough to convince publisher Gearbox and the affiliated development studio Blackbird Interactive to follow up with the creation of a new game, in direct continuity with the original saga.[6]

Developers launched a successful crowdfunding campaign in late 2019, which went on to generate the highest donation average in the platform's history.[7][8] Along with this campaign the team allows contributors to take part in exclusive surveys, in order to determine which elements of the original trilogy were most appreciated and hence guide future development.[9]

Some key personnel from the original development studio Relic (now working for Blackbird Interactive) are among the teams developing the game, namely design director Rob Cunningham and score creator Paul Ruskay[10][11]

Homeworld 3 will be made to resemble its two predecessors, and will therefore be a 3D RTS in a cosmic environment. According to information from the developer team, following the responses to partner surveys, the game boasts an extensive campaign mode, giving solo gameplay an important role.[12] As was already the case with the first game of the franchise, combat gameplay would be built around an effective 3D ballistics system.[13]