

#HOMEWORLD 3 NEWS UPGRADE#
" 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. They also indicated that they approached the updates to the Homeworld 2 engine so they could use it to make new games as well. Gearbox confirmed they would explore this possibility based on the success of the new games. However, scope remained for a new Homeworld title set in space after the events of Homeworld 2. 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. After Gearbox acquired the IP, they contacted Blackbird to assist in the making of Homeworld Remastered. In 2010 they began work on Hardware: Shipbreakers, a brand new strategy game set in a new universe.

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