Homeworld 3: Everything We Know

After laying dormant for nearly a decade, Gearbox Software's award-winning RTS series is back, and it's bringing twice the amount of sci-fi-loving goodness as its first two games meshed together. But what can we expect from the Fig-led Homeworld 3, and when can we expect to see it all thread together to form a finalized product? Well, here's everything we've been able to pull together on the project so far.

What Is Homeworld 3?

Homeworld 3 is an upcoming real-time strategy game by Blackbird Interactive, and the direct sequel to 2003's Homeworld 2. Founded by Relic Entertainment back in 1999, Homeworld as a series quickly went on to become one of the most successful series of its kind, which in turn led to the original receiving an expansion in 2000. Following a second major instalment in 2003, Relic Entertainment went on to close the book on the saga while still in its prime. In 2013, however, Gearbox Software purchased the IP, giving it a second life with the a prequel titled Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak. And now, after nearly a decade of being kept on the back burner, Homeworld 3 will reignite the flame.

Story

The last we saw of Homeworld was in 2003, at which point the conclusion chalked up a scenario that saw the newly-opened Hyperspace Gate usher in the so-called “Age of S'jet,” a generation that was to bring the galaxy a world of opportunity and prosperity under the Karan clan's wing. Homeworld 3, at least from what we've gathered, will pick up many, many years after this revolutionary event, with the Hyperspace Gate Network now facing a new and unmeasurable threat.

“Cycles of plenty and war have come and gone,” the official description reads. ‘Now the Hyperspace Gate Network is catastrophically failing and Karan, who has passed into myth and religious idolatry, is the key to the mystery threatening a galaxy’s future.”

Gameplay

True to its roots, Homeworld 3 will retain its signature real-time strategy format. Also, like its predecessors, it will give players the ability to pilot, recruit, and obtain enemy ships to help gain an edge in battle. But that's not all, according to Blackbird Interactive. As we came to learn at Gamescom 2022, the upcoming instalment will also be bringing a slew of new features and advanced mechanics. And yes, it will be just as immersive as before—if not even more than the past two entries combined. But don't just take our word for it. Here's what Gearbox Software has to contribute to the gameplay features:

“The wholly unique strategic gameplay of the Homeworld series also returns at an even larger scale as players engage in epic battles fought across open space as well as the 3D terrain of hulking space derelicts called megaliths — the crumbling remains of an ancient civilization where the player can funnel foes into a brilliant ambush or hide their fleet from powerful enemies.”

“Fully simulated ballistics make line of sight and cover critical strategic considerations. Your fleet persists from mission to mission. Scars on your ships linger. Strike craft pilots and capital ship captains pass along critical information through battlefield chatter. In addition to conquering the game’s campaign, players can challenge each other to intense 1v1, free-for-all or team battles, or tag team in an all-new co-op mode with a roguelike twist. Homeworld 3 will be the deepest and most satisfying gameplay experience in the series yet.”

Development

Homeworld 3 is being developed by Blackbird Interactive, a firm best known for its contributions to the Minecraft universe. At present, the studio is working on both Minecraft Legends, which will be coming to consoles and PC at some stage in early 2023, and Homeworld 3, another triple-A title that is also stated to release during the first or second quarter of 2023.

Homeworld was originally owned by Relic Entertainment (formerly known as THQ), at which stage the studio brought out the first two chapters before ultimately leaving it to fizzle out sometime around 2003. It was only after Gearbox purchased the IP in 2013 that the series was eventually revived and assembled to compile the Remastered Collection, a two-piece bundle that went on to receive global praise and a fresh motive for its newfound owner to pursue.

To cut the long story short, Gearbox brought along Blackbird Interactive, and soon came the plans to revive the series by bringing Homeworld 3 into the equation. As of 2023, the third instalment has been in development for just shy of six years.

Trailer

Gearbox first lifted the veil on the third instalment in the Homeworld series during The Game Awards, which was hosted on December 10, 2021. Since then, Homeworld 3 has received a first look trailer, and an extended gameplay trailer. You can catch the early announcement preview of the game in the video above.

Release Date, Platforms & Editions

Homeworld 3 will be coming to PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store in the first half of 2023. At the time of writing, neither Gearbox nor Blackbird Interactive have mentioned anything about the game coming to Xbox, PlayStation, or Switch. It is believed, though, that any of these three ports could come in the foreseeable future, as Gearbox even went as far as to say “It's just too early to make any decisions here,” which, in hindsight, means it was never exactly off the table, to begin with.

As it stands, Homeworld 3 will only be available in the bog-standard edition, and the Collector's Edition, a bulky set that boasts a treasure trove of both physical and digital goodies. Interested to know more? Here's everything you can expect to see in the Collector's Edition:

• Homeworld 3
• WW2-Inspired Spotter Deck
• Homeworld 3 Logo Keychain
• 14″ The Mothership Khar-Kushan Statue
• 1.8″ Hiigaran Torpedo Frigate Statue
• 3′ Hiigaran Destroyer Statue
• 1.2″ Hiigaran Scouts In Formation Statue
• 18×24″ Lithograph
• Year One Season Pass
• Ship Decals & Icons
• Banners
• Multiplayer Name Colors
• Official Soundtrack

For more information on the Homeworld 3 launch, he sure to check in with the official social handle here. In the meantime, we'll be sure to let you know of any new details should they come to light.

So, what's your take? Will you be picking up a copy of Homeworld 3 when it drops? Are there any features that you think we might have missed out? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.