Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak is coming in January

Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak

Three years ago, the makers of the brilliant RTS Homeworld released a stunning trailer for a new game called Hardware: Shipbreakers. The genetic connection to Homeworld was obvious, and became official when the studio partnered with Gearbox later that year. We haven't heard much about it since then, but today Gearbox announced a new, final title, Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak, and a January 2016 launch date.

Deserts of Kharak will be an "origin story" centered on Rachel S'Jet, obviously a relative of some sort—mother, maybe grandmother—of Homeworld Fleet Command Karan S'Jet, who leads a team from the Coalition of the Northern Kiithid to investigate a strange anomaly found deep inside enemy territory. It will feature ground-based real-time combat across "massive environments" of dune seas, huge craters, and vast canyons, with a full campaign as well as ranked online play.

"All of us at Blackbird are super-proud of Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak, and we owe it to the outstanding team at Gearbox," Rob Cunningham, CEO of developer Blackbird Interactive and art director on the original Homeworld games, said in a statement. "Words fail to describe how exciting it is to be releasing a new Homeworld game, deepening the story for both existing fans and a new audience."

Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak wlill be out on January 20. You can find out more at desertsofkharak.com.

Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak

Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak

Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak

Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak

Andy Chalk

Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.