Homeworld 3 demo available on Steam

UPDATE 11.46pm: With a launch tantalisingly close for developer Blackbird Interactive's oft-delayed Homeworld 3, it's happened again: the studio has announced it'll be pushing back the real-time sci-fi strategy's release once more, this time until 13th May, to "ensure that we're making the final tweaks needed to deliver at the level of quality that we strive for".

Blackbird had most recently slapped Homeworld 3 with a 8th March 2024 launch date, after moving its release, first, from the end of 2022 to the "first half of 2023", and then to February 2024 after that. Its latest delay follows the first significant public hands-on of Homeworld 3 - seemingly not an unquivocably succesful one - thanks to a new Steam Next Fest demo.

"Watching you share your experiences, exchange and debate strategies, and gives us constant feedback has been incredible," Blackbird Interactive wrote in a statement shared on social media. "This was our first time seeing the game played at scale, which is always an equally thrilling and nerve-wracking moment."

"We also recently gathered a dedicated group of players from outside our organisation to play through the full game," it continued. "This resulted in additional insights and perspective that will be incorporated to make Homeworld 3 the best experience possible."

"After careful analysis of feedback, we made the decision to delay the global launch of Homeworld 3 until 13th May," the statement continued, "with advanced access set for 10th May, to ensure that we're making the final tweaks needed to deliver at the level of quality that we strive for and you deserve".

"To say that you as a community of players have been waiting patiently for this next instalment would be an understatement," the developer concluded, "and we are deeply appreciative of that. We will continue to keep you updated on our progress."

ORIGINAL STORY 1.04pm: Homeworld 3 is currently playable on Steam in demo form.

The game is one month away from release on 8th March, after a number of delays.

The demo lets players try out its new War Games mode - a roguelike take on Homeworld's RTS gameplay where players will be given randomised combat challenges. Upon completion, players will be able to upgrade their ships for the next run.

The War Games demo supports up to three player co-op too, and teammates can be find via matchmaking or by making a lobby with friends. Progress from the demo will carry over to the full game upon release, developer Blackbird noted, so if you're not using Steam's cloud saves don't delete the demo files from your PC.

The demo is already live on Steam, and will end on 12th February at 6pm GMT / 10am PT.

Homeworld 3 was originally scheduled for release at the end of 2022, before subsequent delays pushed it back to February 2024. Its release date of 8th March was confirmed at the end of last year.

In his Homeworld 3 preview from 2022, Bertie called the threequel a real return for the series. "Homeworld is back," he wrote.