Homeworld: Shipbreakers no longer free-to-play, tweets Gearbox head

A Twitter reply from Gearbox president Randy Pitchford has confirmed that Homeworld: Shipbreakers , the game formerly known as Hardware: Shipbreakers , is no longer planning to use a free-to-play business model. While you could reasonably argue that Twitter isn't the best medium for divulging information about the funding plans of an anticipated RTS resurrection, realise that it could be worse. He could have done it as a Tumblr gif wall.

Here's what Pitchford had to say:

He's referring to the recent partnership between Blackbird Interactive, developers of Homeworld: Shipbreakers, and Gearbox, which allowed for the use of the Homeworld license, and guaranteed them financial and production support. Thanks to the Gearbox money hose, the former spiritual-successor - now an actual successor - can drop the controversial free-to-play model it was originally planning.

Despite the funding switch, the game's developers are still selling the $100 VIP package , which promises "guaranteed access to the Hardware: Shipbreakers Closed Beta". If you were previously planning to buy that package, it might now be worth waiting until the game's website updates to at least reflect the new name. It's likely the team's plans for pre-release funding will have changed significantly in light of Gearbox's intervention.

We've contacted Blackbird Interactive for clarification, and a less character limiting confirmation.

Phil Savage
Editor-in-Chief

Phil has been writing for PC Gamer for nearly a decade, starting out as a freelance writer covering everything from free games to MMOs. He eventually joined full-time as a news writer, before moving to the magazine to review immersive sims, RPGs and Hitman games. Now he leads PC Gamer's UK team, but still sometimes finds the time to write about his ongoing obsessions with Destiny 2, GTA Online and Apex Legends. When he's not levelling up battle passes, he's checking out the latest tactics game or dipping back into Guild Wars 2. He's largely responsible for the whole Tub Geralt thing, but still isn't sorry.