COLOGNE, Germany – August 25 – Homeworld 3, the upcoming installment of the legendary award-winning sci-fi strategy series launching in February 2024, revealed its new roguelike-inspired multiplayer mode called “War Games” this week at gamescom 2023. War Games adds an all-new strategic co-op experience extending the game beyond the single player campaign through creative use of roguelike gameplay mechanics. In addition, the next evolution of storytelling in the beloved RTS series has been revealed through a brand new story trailer that debuted during Opening Night Live 2023’s earlier this week. Homeworld 3 is set to launch in February 2024 on PC and can be wishlisted on Steam and the Epic Games Store, or players can pre-order the physical Collector’s Edition.

Blackbird Interactive and Gearbox Publishing also announced plans for modding in Homeworld 3 and a partnership with mod.io; released Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak, a prequel to the classic Homeworld games, on Epic Games Store which is available for free until August 31; and issued an official Homeworld vinyl in partnership with Laced Records.

The full details for all of the aforementioned Homeworld franchise announcements this week can be found below:

New Co-op Homeworld 3 Multiplayer Mode: War Games Homeworld 3’s new War Games mode offers players a highly replayable RTS experience that extends the game beyond the campaign. Fusing Homeworld’s RTS gameplay with roguelike inspiration, War Games can be enjoyed solo or cooperatively with up to three players, total. Players will select a starting fleet and then command it through a series of three randomized combat challenges. Commanders who successfully manage their fleets and navigate these objectives are rewarded with Artifacts which can be used to augment ships. Players will also earn experience to unlock additional Artifacts and starting fleets

that keep the challenge fresh. The Homeworld 3 War Games mode will continue to evolve even after launch through optional, premium content expansions.

Homeworld 3’s Story Revealed in New Cinematic Trailer

The first look at Homeworld 3’s main narrative arc premiered during the Opening Night Live 2023, showcasing an all-new story that takes place decades after the events of Homeworld 2 and the golden age of galactic prosperity. The cinematic trailer also provides a first look at the looming threat to the Hiigaran fleet – the Incarnate faction. In addition, the newly revealed Homeworld 3 character concept art sheds new light on two key characters, Imogen S’jet and Isaac Paktu.

Modding and Teaming Up with mod.io Blackbird Interactive and Gearbox Publishing are partnering with mod.io to unlock the creativity of the modding community. Modders will be able to create content of their own to be shared with other players. At launch, players will be equipped with the tools to customize ships and build their own levels for Skirmish Mode within the Unreal game editor, including placing megaliths, resources and other objects to design completely unique battlefields that can then be shared with the community. Through this partnership with mod.io, curated content will be made available to easily explore creations by the community. On both Epic Games Store and Steam, players will be able to find and download new community creations without ever leaving the Homeworld 3 game client.

Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak Now Available for Free on Epic Games Store

Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak, a prequel to the classic Homeworld games, is free to purchase on the Epic Games Store from August 24-31. In this ground-based RTS, players must assemble their fleet and lead them to victory on the shifting sands of Kharak where danger lurks over every dune.

Homeworld Vinyl by Laced Records

Laced Records and Gearbox Entertainment announced a partnership to bring the renowned music of Homeworld Remastered and Homeworld 2 Remastered to vinyl. All music has been specially mastered for vinyl and will be pressed onto heavyweight vinyl.

For more information on the Limited Edition and Standard Edition vinyls as well as the digital OST please visit: lacedrecords.com/collections/homeworld

For more information on Homeworld 3, please visit Homeworld Universe or or follow the official Homeworld channel on X. Homeworld 3 can be added to Wishlists on Steam and the Epic Games Store.

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 and Earthless. 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 – and is reinventing how world-class games are made through its innovative Skunkworks game jam program and four-day work week. BBI has also been involved in various game-adjacent projects over the years, such as Project Eagle with the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and other initiatives with the eatART Foundation and Sanctuary AI.

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, www.gearboxpublishing.com.