Overview
The Mothership endures. Homeworld wasn’t just RTS in space—it was RTS in three dimensions, with a persistent fleet that carried between missions. Relic Entertainment crafted an exodus narrative as the Kushan people fled their burning world to find their ancient homeworld. Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings scoring the Kharak genocide remains one of gaming’s most devastating moments.
Fast facts
- Developer: Relic Entertainment.
- Year: 1999.
- Innovation: True 3D RTS.
- Tone: Melancholic space opera.
3D movement
| Axis |
Navigation |
| X/Y plane |
Traditional movement |
| Z axis |
Vertical positioning |
| Formations |
3D arrangements |
| Tactics |
Height advantage |
Persistent fleet
| Mechanic |
Impact |
| Carry-forward |
Units survive missions |
| Resource management |
Long-term planning |
| Loss weight |
Deaths matter |
| Fleet composition |
Strategic building |
Narrative design
| Element |
Execution |
| Opening cinematic |
Kharak’s destruction |
| Mission briefings |
Story advancement |
| Environmental storytelling |
Derelict ships |
| Music integration |
Emotional scoring |
Unit design
| Class |
Role |
| Fighters |
Interception |
| Corvettes |
Anti-fighter |
| Frigates |
Line combat |
| Capital ships |
Heavy assault |
| Mothership |
Mobile base |
Series continuation
| Title |
Year |
Developer |
| Homeworld: Cataclysm |
2000 |
Barking Dog |
| Homeworld 2 |
2003 |
Relic |
| Homeworld 3 |
2024 |
Blackbird |
See also