That RTS space franchise Homeworld is in danger of become homeless. That's according to Robert Santos who's now running an Indiegogo crowd source campaign to "acquire" the Homeworld IP. The indie teamPixel are "tired of waiting" for more Homeworld and think now is a "massive opportunity" to put the space RTS "back in the hands of gamers." Problem: they've never made a game.
THQ is getting set to sell off its remaining IPs in an auction, and some of the lots are eye-raising. One lot contains the dormant Homeworld IP, while another offers the Red Faction titles. The Darksiders and MX properties have their own respective lots as well.
Indie studio teamPixel has not managed to secure the Homeworld IP from the THQ auction as of April 15th, as they couldn't remain competitive against the other bidders. Pledged funds will be returned. The new owner of the space RTS franchise isn’t known but is likely to be announced around mid-May, when the IP officially changes hands. teamPixel will now pursue their own space RTS.
One of the most unlikely software companies has acquired the classic real-time strategy license for Homeworld: Borderlands 2 developer Gearbox Software.
Both spatial 3D real-time strategy games Homeworld and Homeworld 2 were gorgeous in their day, and still are to some extent. Well, Gearbox is going to make them even more beautiful with remastered HD remakes.
Blackbird Interactive had been developing a spiritual, ground-based successor to Homeworld called Hardware: Shipbreakers. The developer has announced that it will be getting funding from Gearbox to turn the spiritual successor into an actual Homeworld game, retitled Homeworld: Shipbreakers.
With Gearbox Software money showering Homeworld: Shipbreakers, originally Hardware: Shipbreakers, the game is dropping free-to-play for a "proper commercial release."
This news comes directly from Randy Pitchford's lips twitter feed. Blackbird Interactive are creating the game, but Gearbox stepped in and let them use the Homeworld IP.
No sorry, Homeworld HD isn't a thing any more - Gearbox Software killed it. Instead they're bringing us the Homeworld: Remastered Collection, because that more accurately reflects the "scope of the work." Sticking 'HD' on the end "didn't properly communicate" just how much work they're doing as it's no simple "re-release or up-res", but taking on feedback from fans and modders.
From space dust to sand dunes.
The Mothership has exited hyperspace after a long decade of silence..
To summarise, I think I can honestly say that HW2 will be the 4th game never removed from my HD. I still prefer the original, but that may change as I play HW2 more and more.