Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak started out as Hardware: Shipbreakers back in 2013. When a collaboration was subsequently formed between Blackbird Interactive (founded by veterans of Homeworld and Company of Heroes) and Gearbox Software, the game changed to become  part of the Homeworld universe.

Kharak is dying, but an anomaly has been discovered deep in its southern sands. Could Kharak’s salvation lie here?

The Coalition of the Northern Kiithid sends an expedition led by chief science officer Rachel S’jet deep within enemy-controlled territory to investigate the finding, which could forever alter the fate of humanity.

Rob Cunningham, CEO, Blackbird Interactive: When we signed this project in front of the crowd at the 2013 PAX Dev, Randy [Pitchford] spoke about Gearbox’s commitment to quality entertainment and taking risks, and they have fully delivered on that message. All of us at Blackbird are super proud of Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak, and we owe it to the outstanding team at Gearbox. 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 alike.

Randy Pitchford, President, Gearbox Software: After more than a decade-long hiatus for Homeworld, it is an immense honor in the last year to launch two new entries in the Homeworld franchise: an incredible, critically acclaimed remastering of the original Homeworld games and now the all-new, ground-based, real-time-strategy game called Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak. This revival of Homeworld is possible not merely because of commitment within my studio at Gearbox Software, but is due to Rob and his crew at Blackbird, along with other key members of the original Homeworld team, who have come together to deliver a modern spin on the ground-based roots of the strategy genre with an epic story that takes us back to where the Homeworld saga began.

Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak will be available for PC/Windows January 20th on Steam. Pre-order the game and you’ll receive the Homeworld Remastered Collection for free. If you already own Homeworld Remastered, you’ll get a special pre-purchase discount on Kharak (log onto Steam for details).