The team is delaying for more time to refine and polish
Homeworld‘s newest venture is getting pushed out of this year. Gearbox Publishing and Blackbird Interactive have delayed Homeworld 3 out of 2023, and into February 2024.
Previously set for the “first half” of 2023, the team behind the new Homeworld is taking a little more time for development. Today’s statement specifically cites time for polishing up this new entry.
“Our primary goal is to deliver a Homeworld experience that lives up to the standards set by its predecessors and is worth of this series’ incredible legacy,” reads today’s statement. “Homeworld 3 is shaping up to be exactly that, but in order to fully realize that vision we need more time to refine and polish the game.”
We are moving the launch of Homeworld 3 from the first half of 2023 to February 2024 so that we deliver the quality experience that fans deserve. pic.twitter.com/DaCX4eFMm4
— Homeworld (@HomeworldGame) May 25, 2023
No specific date has been set yet for February. In an FAQ on the Gearbox site, the team says it plans to share its “biggest Homeworld 3 progress update yet” later this summer. And the team also asserts that Blackbird’s move to a four-day work week has not had a delaying effect on Homeworld 3. The scope of the game has not changed, either.
Who says you can’t go home (world)
Announced back in 2019, this follow-up is a big deal for long-time fans of real-time strategy. The first two Homeworld games have been well-regarded, especially by those who love space fleet battles and three-dimensional strategy.
Blackbird showed off some gameplay at PAX West that looked solid, too. So if this delay is to ensure that Homeworld 3 can both live up to its legacy and deliver on its promises, that sounds like a good thing.
Oddly enough, this isn’t the first game of 2023 to get delayed out to next February. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League also moved from an expected May date to February 2, 2024. So even though there’s still plenty left to release this year, we already have two big games looming in the early months of 2024.
