Relic Entertainment
Relic Entertainment, known as THQ Canada Inc. between 2004 and 2013, is a Canadian video game developer based in Vancouver, founded in 1997. The studio specializes in real-time strategy games and is known for series such as "Homeworld", "" and "Company of Heroes". Acquired by THQ in 2004, the company was sold to Sega on January 22, 2013 as part of THQ's bankruptcy. Relic is now a part of Sega West, which also comprises Creative Assembly, Sports Interactive and Amplitude Studios.
Homeworld 2
Approximately a year after the release of "Homeworld 2", in August 2004, Relic Studios was purchased by THQ for approximately $10 million USD. As THQ was considered to be a competitor of Sierra Entertainment and Vivendi Universal, the prospect of a "Homeworld" sequel remained unlikely as Sierra was still the owner of the "Homeworld" Intellectual Property (IP) until September 2007 when it was announced that THQ was in talks with Vivendi to purchase the license "Homeworld" franchise. In November 2007, THQ finally confirmed that it had acquired the license for the "Homeworld" franchise but didn't confirm a sequel maintaining that it had no comments on future games from THQ based on "Homeworld". However, Eurogamer reported in November 2008 that Relic was "definitely looking" at creating "Homeworld 3". """" lead designer Jonny Ebbert commented that "We're really happy the IP has made its way home, and yeah, we're definitely looking at it. We'll see what happens in the future,". Ebbert also commented that there was always a chance that the sequel could be in development behind closed doors. The strongest evidence indicating that "Homeworld 3" is in development came from Relic's General Manager, Tarnie Williams indicating that "three or four" titles were in development while declining to elaborate further. In 2011 Relic confirmed that they would "like to develop Homeworld 3" but they did not confirm or deny working on it. In early 2013 THQ suffered financial difficulties and liquidated their assets due to bankruptcy; Relic was sold off to SEGA. The "Homeworld" IP was not part of this sale. Despite early speculation that SEGA would attempt to rescue the IP, ultimately the "Homeworld" IP was sold to Gearbox Software. Gearbox announced that their initial plans would be to bring the existing "Homeworld" games to multiple digital sales platforms, but also created a forum on their website specifically asking for fan ideas about how the series should proceed. Blackbird Interactive, a newer developer made up of many of the designers of the original "Homeworld", later offered their support of Gearbox's purchase of the IP.