Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak
Released Jan 2016
A ground-based RTS prequel to the classic Homeworld games. Assemble your fleet and lead them to victory on the shifting sands of Kharak in this compelling strategy game for PC from Blackbird Interactive.
79% positive · 8,888 reviews
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Where to buy
Prices in USD, as listed by each store.
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Evaluation
Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak launched on January 20, 2016 and received an active burst of post-launch content through mid-2016: two paid faction DLCs (Soban Fleet Pack on March 22, 2016 and Khaaneph Fleet Pack on April 26, 2016), new multiplayer maps, balance patches, and a Mac port on June 21, 2016. All four listed DLC items have been released, and no unreleased DLC exists on the store.
After this initial post-launch period, updates became sparse. A feature patch arrived in November 2017 (adding Tactical Pause), and then the game was quiet until August–October 2023, when Blackbird Interactive shipped a series of patches (1.4 through 1.4.4) to restore cross-platform multiplayer compatibility with the Epic Games Store version of the game — a maintenance effort tied to Homeworld 3's release window. These 2023 patches are purely technical maintenance with no new content.
The last developer communication was on October 4, 2023. No future content has been announced, no unreleased DLC is listed, and the developer has not indicated any plans for additional content. The 2023 patch activity was clearly a one-time multiplayer compatibility effort, not the start of a new content cycle. The game's content was effectively complete by June 21, 2016, when the Mac port (the last meaningful new deliverable) launched — all paid DLC and new maps had shipped by that point.
Evidence
Mac version released with cross-platform multiplayer support — the last major new deliverable for the game
Khaaneph Fleet Pack DLC released, adding a second new playable faction
Content
4 of 4 released · no outstanding content
Media
Details
Developer
Publisher
Gearbox Publishing
Achievements
48
Platform
Windows, macOS
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Playable
Players
Single-player · Multiplayer
About this game
HOMEWORLD: DESERTS OF KHARAK
A ground-based RTS prequel to the classic Homeworld games. Assemble your fleet and lead them to victory on the shifting sands of Kharak in this compelling strategy game. Crafted by Blackbird Interactive, a studio founded by veterans of Homeworld and Company of Heroes, Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak takes players to the deserts of Kharak where danger lurks over every dune.
EXPERIENCE AN ORIGIN STORY
In Deserts of Kharak’s campaign, an anomaly is discovered deep in the southern desert. An expedition is sent, but the story is not that simple. Discover the story of Rachel S'jet as she leads her people on a quest to find their destiny in an exciting campaign.
HEAVY DUTY HARDWARE
Take control of fleets of land and air vehicles – from nimble light attack vehicles to massive heavyweight cruisers – built to conquer the desert.
MASSIVE ENVIRONMENTS
Fight your way across massive dune seas, deep craters, and hostile canyons in sprawling maps – all in unprecedented fidelity and scale.
TACTICAL COMBAT
Position your fleet to take advantage of the high ground or create ambushes across dune lines in terrestrial combat. Attack your enemies’ resource operations, or assault their military head-on.
STRATEGIC DECISIONS
Meaningful choices in resource management, fleet composition, and technology research directly impact your chances of survival.
ONLINE MULTIPLAYER
Compete online solo or with friends in a variety of game modes, including ranked play, to rise through the ranks and become the most powerful Fleet Captain on Kharak.
Before you can find your Homeworld, you must first unlock the secrets of the desert.
A ground-based RTS prequel to the classic Homeworld games. Assemble your fleet and lead them to victory on the shifting sands of Kharak in this compelling strategy game. Crafted by Blackbird Interactive, a studio founded by veterans of Homeworld and Company of Heroes, Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak takes players to the deserts of Kharak where danger lurks over every dune.
EXPERIENCE AN ORIGIN STORY
In Deserts of Kharak’s campaign, an anomaly is discovered deep in the southern desert. An expedition is sent, but the story is not that simple. Discover the story of Rachel S'jet as she leads her people on a quest to find their destiny in an exciting campaign.
HEAVY DUTY HARDWARE
Take control of fleets of land and air vehicles – from nimble light attack vehicles to massive heavyweight cruisers – built to conquer the desert.
MASSIVE ENVIRONMENTS
Fight your way across massive dune seas, deep craters, and hostile canyons in sprawling maps – all in unprecedented fidelity and scale.
TACTICAL COMBAT
Position your fleet to take advantage of the high ground or create ambushes across dune lines in terrestrial combat. Attack your enemies’ resource operations, or assault their military head-on.
STRATEGIC DECISIONS
Meaningful choices in resource management, fleet composition, and technology research directly impact your chances of survival.
ONLINE MULTIPLAYER
Compete online solo or with friends in a variety of game modes, including ranked play, to rise through the ranks and become the most powerful Fleet Captain on Kharak.
Before you can find your Homeworld, you must first unlock the secrets of the desert.
Are these done yet?
Last evaluated Jun 18, 2026
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