Long-Awaited Sci-Fi Game Hit With Another Delay After Public Playtest

09.02.2024 - 20:23 / gamerant.com / Dane Enerio

Homeworld 3, the next installment in the legendary Homeworld sci-fi RTS franchise, has been delayed just days after a demo for the game was made public. While carrying the spirit of the series, many found the demo to suffer from several issues and other problems.

The original Homeworld from 1999, which was developed by Relic Entertainment, is widely considered to be the first strategy game to use a fully 3D environment. A direct sequel, Homeworld 2, was launched in 2003 and received just as much praise as its predecessor. In 2019, Homeworld 3 was announced, with the game being developed by Blackbird Interactive, a studio formed by former Relic Entertainment members. This third entry in the series was set to be released on March 8, but the developers have announced that the launch has been postponed.

Homeworld 3's global release has been delayed to May 13, which was confirmed by Blackbird Interactive in a recent joint statement with Gearbox Publishing. The studio told fans that the move would allow for the implementation of tweaks that would make Homeworld 3 meet Blackbird Interactive's standards. Prior to this, Homeworld 3 already experienced several delays, first in 2022, which was when it was initially expected to launch, then in May of last year. In 2023, Blackbird Interactive and Gearbox Publishing cited Homeworld 3's lack of polish and refinement as well when they announced the game's delay.

The most recent delay was announced just days after a demo for Homeworld 3 was made publicly available on PC. This most recent demo gave people the opportunity to check out Homeworld 3's roguelike War Games mode. While many players, including Homeworld veterans, found the demo to be fun, others complained of its many issues, specifically the clunky camera system and controls. Blackbird Interactive delayed the launch of Homeworld 3 to May after the company received feedback from both demo testers and a special group of outside players that the studio gathered.

A lot of fans reacted calmly to the news of Homeworld 3's most recent delay. On Twitter, some users thanked Blackbird Interactive for its transparency, while others encouraged the studio to take its time in developing the game. With Homeworld being among the video game franchises expected to make a comeback in 2024, fans of the series understandably want Homeworld 3 to launch in a good state.

Homeworld 3 War Games will be available on Steam and the Epic Games Store until February 12. The demo for Homeworld 3 is featured in the ongoing Next Fest, one of Steam's many sales events for 2024. This recurring week-long event highlights free playable demos of upcoming games, as well as gives developers the chance to do livestreams and chats.

Blackbird's Homeworld 3 is