From Press Release:
FRISCO, Texas – May 13, 2024 – Today players can experience the epic saga of Homeworld 3, the newest chapter in the iconic sci-fi strategy series, on their PCs via Steam® and the Epic Games Store. Homeworld 3, developed by Blackbird Interactive and published by Gearbox Publishing, brings players a generational game that bridges deep strategy with tactical precision in dazzling, fully 3D environments where players will head into battles that shape the future of the galaxy.
“It’s difficult to put into words what it means to Blackbird, the individual team members and me personally, to deliver this next chapter in the Homeworld story,” said Blackbird Interactive CEO Rob Cunningham. “Players are about to embark on the next leg of the journey we began together more than 20 years ago. To all the players that put their faith in us, we are eternally grateful.”
“It’s a rare experience to be able to publish a generation-spanning franchise like Homeworld alongside a world-class developer in Blackbird Interactive,” said Steve Gibson, president of Gearbox Publishing. “The work they’ve done with Homeworld 3 has blown us away and stands as an example of the level of artistry and storytelling that is possible in this medium. It’s truly something we’ll always cherish.”
Key Features of Homeworld 3:
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A Brand New Story – Homeworld 3 expands the Homeworld universe and is set 100 years after the events of Homeworld 2. It introduces a brand new protagonist, scientist Imogen S’Jet – the protégé of Karan S’Jet – who must become Fleet Command to solve the mystery behind Karan’s disappearance and determine the meaning of “the anomaly”, a threat that endangers the galaxy’s future.
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Stunning 3D Space Combat – Homeworld 3 takes the signature, intense combat and simulated ballistics of the Homeworld series to the next level. New innovative features are introduced for players that open new dimensions of strategic gameplay including cover-based tactics and maps containing complex, varied terrain. These are all rendered in stunning, state-of-the-art graphics that simulate real-time ship damage, dynamic ship destruction, and situationally responsive audio to create a deep sense of immersion and realism.
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War Games Mode – War Games is a new co-op mode that fuses Homeworld’s iconic RTS gameplay with roguelike elements. It enables players to take on a randomized series of combat missions and with unique challenges. Up to three commanders (players) must manage their fleet strength across each battle and then claim powerful rewards with each victory. Players will unlock incredible powers based on the results of those battles that ultimately carry over into their next run.
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Skirmish Mode – In addition to the brand new narrative campaign Homeworld 3 also includes the classic Skirmish mode for players to test their tactical skills. Players can battle with human and AI opponents in 1 vs. 1 duals, team-based slugfests, or free-for-all combat with up to six total players. Modding will be supported in this mode through a partnership with Mod.io offering players integrated tools to create, share and play new Skirmish maps.
Players can choose from a variety of purchasing options:
Blackbird Interactive and Gearbox Publishing will continue to support Homeworld 3 following launch with additional updates to the War Games mode:
For more information on Homeworld 3, please visit Homeworld Universe or follow the official Homeworld account on X. Homeworld 3 can be purchased today on Steam and the Epic Games Store.
For the latest screenshots, trailers, fact sheets, key art, and more, please visit the press kit for Homeworld 3, available here.
About Homeworld:
The original Homeworld was developed by Relic Entertainment and launched in September of 1999 to critical success, winning over 50 awards including Game of the Year and was credited with popularizing the 3D real-time strategy genre. Homeworld Remastered Collection, consisting of the original Homeworld and Homeworld 2, was released more than a decade later, reviving the franchise for series fans and newcomers alike. Blackbird Interactive was founded in 2010 by former members of the Relic Entertainment Homeworld team, including Art Director Rob Cunningham and Lead artist Aaron Kambeitz. After its founding, BBI began working on a game they considered the spiritual successor to Homeworld, and then partnered with Gearbox (the now IP holder and game publisher) to release Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak.
About Blackbird Interactive:
Blackbird Interactive (BBI) is a creative-fueled, future-driven, independent studio behind such games as Hardspace: Shipbreaker, Minecraft Legends, and the upcoming Homeworld 3. Founded in 2010 by Rob Cunningham and a team of former Relic Entertainment and Electronic Arts employees, the award-winning Vancouver studio boasts its own internal CG cinematics department led by the founder of Pixar Canada.BBI is reinventing how world-class games are made through its innovative Skunkworks game jam program and four-day workweek.
About Gearbox Publishing:
Founded in 2016, Gearbox Publishing was established with the goal of helping developers around the world bring their products to market while retaining their unique creative visions. The mission began with the critically-acclaimed Homeworld Remastered Collection for PC and has since been followed by many titles and partnerships, including Gunfire Games’ Remnant II, Risk of Rain 2, tinyBuild’s Hello Neighbor, System Era Softworks’ Astroneer, Compulsion Games’ We Happy Few, and Counterplay Games’ PlayStation 5 launch title, Godfall. Gearbox Publishing remains committed to its mission to entertain the world and become the most developer-friendly publisher in the industry. The Gearbox Entertainment Company is a proud member of the Embracer Group AB family of companies, which is publicly listed on Nasdaq Stockholm under the ticker EMBRAC B. (EMBRAC B). For more information, please visit www.gearboxpublishing.com.
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