Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak's first downloadable content pack, SOBAN FLEET PACK is coming to Steam on March 22nd!

Kiith Soban are a highly respected force within the Northern Coalition. Although their tactical prowess is renowned, it is their ability to leverage advanced military technologies to deliver devastating long-range attacks, disrupt enemy movements, and manipulate the battlefield that has made them one of the most effective fleets to enter the battlefield in years.

This classified dossier is part of an official inquiry into the Kriil Engagement involving a Soban carrier group going up against a Gaalsien fleet out near the Tarsis Line. It contains an interview with a Soban First Officer that dramatically sheds light on the incident, the Soban’s unique abilities, and the prospective strategies one will either battle against or employ in future multiplayer matches. The fiction itself mirrors real-life matches and techniques.

This fleet pack will add the new playable fleet, Kiith Soban, to multiplayer and skirmish modes in Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak. The Soban Fleet includes an all new CARRIER, RAILGUN, BASERUNNER and BATTLECRUISER, as well as unique Soban textures for all units and new Soban Carrier Captain voiceover and processing.

Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak's first downloadable content pack, SOBAN FLEET PACK is coming to Steam on March 22nd!

Kiith Soban are a highly respected force within the Northern Coalition. Although their tactical prowess is renowned, it is their ability to leverage advanced military technologies to deliver devastating long-range attacks, disrupt enemy movements, and manipulate the battlefield that has made them one of the most effective fleets to enter the battlefield in years.

This classified dossier is part of an official inquiry into the Kriil Engagement involving a Soban carrier group going up against a Gaalsien fleet out near the Tarsis Line. It contains an interview with a Soban First Officer that dramatically sheds light on the incident, the Soban’s unique abilities, and the prospective strategies one will either battle against or employ in future multiplayer matches. The fiction itself mirrors real-life matches and techniques.

This fleet pack will add the new playable fleet, Kiith Soban, to multiplayer and skirmish modes in Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak. The Soban Fleet includes an all new CARRIER, RAILGUN, BASERUNNER and BATTLECRUISER, as well as unique Soban textures for all units and new Soban Carrier Captain voiceover and processing.

Version 1.0.3 - Releasing February 17, 2016

New Content:

• Added new map “Firebase Kriil” for 1v1 & 2v2 Automatch and public games.

Bug Fixes"

• Fixed an issue that could cause the mouse pointer to be unlocked from its position when the camera was moved
  
  
• Lowered starting resources on “the Boneyard” to match other MP maps.

Version 1.0.3 - Releasing February 17, 2016

New Content:

• Added new map “Firebase Kriil” for 1v1 & 2v2 Automatch and public games.

Bug Fixes"

• Fixed an issue that could cause the mouse pointer to be unlocked from its position when the camera was moved
  
  
• Lowered starting resources on “the Boneyard” to match other MP maps.

A new update for Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak will be rolling out the afternoon of February 17, 2016. This update contains Region Filtering and balance updates.

Patch 1.0.2 Release Notes

New Content

Region Filtering/Ping:

• For custom games there is now a region drop-down option that will toggle between Local and Worldwide filtering options for available games.
  
• In the lobbies, each user will now have a visual representation of their network connection (ping). This is displayed as a coloured icon as well as a ping time value.

Balance Updates

To incentivize players to go for artifacts, even early in the game, both factions will now start with a baserunner.

• Coalition and Gaalsien will now have a free baserunner at the start of a match.

Coalition Heavy Armor

Adjustments were made on the price of the Coalition Heavy Armor upgrades to better reflect the gameplay advantage they provide.

• Level 1, 2 and 3 CU Price increases from 100/200/300 to 550/550/550 CUs.

Probes

One of our focuses in this patch was to provide scouting tools. While still fragile, the probe will now be an effective scouting unit in the Coalition arsenal.

• A probe deployed by the baserunner will now be controllable and is considered an air unit.
  
• The price for the Launch Probe ability has increased from 50 to 100 CUs.
  
• The cooldown time for the Launch Probe ability has decreased from 120 to 30 seconds.
  
• Probe Sensor Radius has increased from 200 to 1000.
  
• Probe Health has increased from 10 to 100.
  
• The Probe will remain in the field until destroyed.

Coalition Carrier Repair System

While we still want the Coalition Carrier Repair System to be a powerful support option, its effectiveness was decreased so that there is an incentive to produce combat units early in the game. Before, late in the game, Repair Level 5 heal rate was equivalent to the heal rate of 12 Support Cruisers, negating even enemy Railgun fire at times.

Repair System Changes;

• Level 1: Heal Rate from 50 hull points/s to 30.
  
• Level 2: Heal Rate from 100 hull points/s to 45.
  
• Level 3: Heal Rate from 150 hull points/s to 60.
  
• Level 4: Heal Rate from 200 hull points/s to 90.
  
• Level 5: Heal Rate from 250 hull points/s to 120.

Sandskimmer

To compensate for the fact that Gaalsien players can easily use their production cruisers offensively, specifically in the early game, some adjustments were made to the Sandskimmer’s build time and self-repair ability.

• Build time has increased from 8 to 11 seconds.
  
• Out of Combat timer has increased from 1 second to 3.5 seconds on its self-repair ability.

Baserunner

Just like on the Coalition side, we want the Gaalsien baserunner to be one of the key scouting units in the game. We’ve added a new ability that deploys a vision scanner from a distance, enabling Gaalsien players to either use it offensively or defensively.

• Repair ability on the Baserunner is now equally effective at all ranges. (Max range 400)
  
• Will now be able to deploy vision scanners from a distance.
  
• Repair ability AOE falloff type has changed from Linear to None.

Assault Ship

The Assault Ship is supposed to be one of the key units when an enemy player is massing Light Attack Vehicles or Sandskimmers. We felt that this unit usually did not successfully serve its purpose; several tweaks were made in order to address this issue.

• Maximum Speed has decreased from 85 to 70.
  
• Price has increased from 220/35 to 220/40
  
• Turn Acceleration has increased from 5 to 10.
  
• Weapon Rate of Fire has increased from 2 to 5.
  
• Max Range has increased from 600 to 700m.
  
• Minimum Burst Time length has decreased from 1 to 0.8 seconds.
  
• Reload Time has decreased from 2 to 1.25 seconds

A new update for Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak will be rolling out the afternoon of February 17, 2016. This update contains Region Filtering and balance updates.

Patch 1.0.2 Release Notes

New Content

Region Filtering/Ping:

• For custom games there is now a region drop-down option that will toggle between Local and Worldwide filtering options for available games.
  
• In the lobbies, each user will now have a visual representation of their network connection (ping). This is displayed as a coloured icon as well as a ping time value.

Balance Updates

To incentivize players to go for artifacts, even early in the game, both factions will now start with a baserunner.

• Coalition and Gaalsien will now have a free baserunner at the start of a match.

Coalition Heavy Armor

Adjustments were made on the price of the Coalition Heavy Armor upgrades to better reflect the gameplay advantage they provide.

• Level 1, 2 and 3 CU Price increases from 100/200/300 to 550/550/550 CUs.

Probes

One of our focuses in this patch was to provide scouting tools. While still fragile, the probe will now be an effective scouting unit in the Coalition arsenal.

• A probe deployed by the baserunner will now be controllable and is considered an air unit.
  
• The price for the Launch Probe ability has increased from 50 to 100 CUs.
  
• The cooldown time for the Launch Probe ability has decreased from 120 to 30 seconds.
  
• Probe Sensor Radius has increased from 200 to 1000.
  
• Probe Health has increased from 10 to 100.
  
• The Probe will remain in the field until destroyed.

Coalition Carrier Repair System

While we still want the Coalition Carrier Repair System to be a powerful support option, its effectiveness was decreased so that there is an incentive to produce combat units early in the game. Before, late in the game, Repair Level 5 heal rate was equivalent to the heal rate of 12 Support Cruisers, negating even enemy Railgun fire at times.

Repair System Changes;

• Level 1: Heal Rate from 50 hull points/s to 30.
  
• Level 2: Heal Rate from 100 hull points/s to 45.
  
• Level 3: Heal Rate from 150 hull points/s to 60.
  
• Level 4: Heal Rate from 200 hull points/s to 90.
  
• Level 5: Heal Rate from 250 hull points/s to 120.

Sandskimmer

To compensate for the fact that Gaalsien players can easily use their production cruisers offensively, specifically in the early game, some adjustments were made to the Sandskimmer’s build time and self-repair ability.

• Build time has increased from 8 to 11 seconds.
  
• Out of Combat timer has increased from 1 second to 3.5 seconds on its self-repair ability.

Baserunner

Just like on the Coalition side, we want the Gaalsien baserunner to be one of the key scouting units in the game. We’ve added a new ability that deploys a vision scanner from a distance, enabling Gaalsien players to either use it offensively or defensively.

• Repair ability on the Baserunner is now equally effective at all ranges. (Max range 400)
  
• Will now be able to deploy vision scanners from a distance.
  
• Repair ability AOE falloff type has changed from Linear to None.

Assault Ship

The Assault Ship is supposed to be one of the key units when an enemy player is massing Light Attack Vehicles or Sandskimmers. We felt that this unit usually did not successfully serve its purpose; several tweaks were made in order to address this issue.

• Maximum Speed has decreased from 85 to 70.
  
• Price has increased from 220/35 to 220/40
  
• Turn Acceleration has increased from 5 to 10.
  
• Weapon Rate of Fire has increased from 2 to 5.
  
• Max Range has increased from 600 to 700m.
  
• Minimum Burst Time length has decreased from 1 to 0.8 seconds.
  
• Reload Time has decreased from 2 to 1.25 seconds

The critics have spoken: Homeworld is back!

Check out the newest Accolades trailer for Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak:

https://youtu.be/EgVraZYEgXc

The critics have spoken: Homeworld is back!

Check out the newest Accolades trailer for Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak:

https://youtu.be/EgVraZYEgXc

A new update for Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak will be rolling out the afternoon of February 1, 2016.

Version 1.0.1 - Releasing February 1, 2016

New Content

• Added new map “The Boneyard” for 1v1 Automatch, 2v2 Automatch and Public Games. The Boneyard is inspired by the second mission from our campaign and has fleets clashing for map control during a beautiful sunrise.

Bug Fixes

• Fixed an issue that was causing crashes when players were allied with AI players in 2v2
  
• Lowered starting resources on the Torin Crater Map to match the starting resources on all other MP maps

Balance Updates

Gaalsien Carrier

In order create more early game options for the Gaalsien, the Carrier’s combat capabilities have been increased. Enabling it to deal with hordes of early game enemy units.

Gaalsien Carrier Side Turrets:

• Default Rate of Fire from 2 to 10.
  
• Burst Time from 1.4 seconds to 1.1 seconds
  
• Negative accuracy modifiers versus small units removed
  
• Accuracy against all units set to 100% at short range, 90% at medium range and 80% at long range.

Gaalsien Carrier Weapon Systems:

• Power level 1 - Rate of Fire increased from 5 to 17.
  
• Power level 2 - Rate of Fire increased from 10 to 24.
  
• Power level 3 - Rate of Fire increased from 20 to 31.
  
• Power level 4 - Rate of Fire decreased from 40 to 38.

Coalition Missile Battery

When compared to the Gaalsien Missile Ship, the Coalition Missile Battery was much more cost-effective. Price change will now better reflect its power.

Missile Battery:

• Price from 100CU/70RU to 350CU/80RU

Assault Cruiser

The upgraded Assault Cruiser turned out to be a very specialized anti-air counter. The damage has been lowered so it is more in line with other anti-air units.

Assault Cruiser:

• It now requires the Assault Cruiser Anti-Air research in order to attack air.
  
• Anti-air weapon will now deal 175 damage instead of 250.

Coalition Strike Fighters

The early game advantage provided by Coalition Strike Fighters is interesting but too strong. The damage has been lowered to retain air as an option but allow opponents enough time to react to it. For example, you needed 2 Strike Fighters to snipe an enemy Railgun, but now you will need 3.

Strike Fighter:

• Damage from 175 to 120

For support with Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak or SHiFT, please visit http://support.gearboxsoftware.com.

A new update for Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak will be rolling out the afternoon of February 1, 2016.

Version 1.0.1 - Releasing February 1, 2016

New Content

• Added new map “The Boneyard” for 1v1 Automatch, 2v2 Automatch and Public Games. The Boneyard is inspired by the second mission from our campaign and has fleets clashing for map control during a beautiful sunrise.

Bug Fixes

• Fixed an issue that was causing crashes when players were allied with AI players in 2v2
  
• Lowered starting resources on the Torin Crater Map to match the starting resources on all other MP maps

Balance Updates

Gaalsien Carrier

In order create more early game options for the Gaalsien, the Carrier’s combat capabilities have been increased. Enabling it to deal with hordes of early game enemy units.

Gaalsien Carrier Side Turrets:

• Default Rate of Fire from 2 to 10.
  
• Burst Time from 1.4 seconds to 1.1 seconds
  
• Negative accuracy modifiers versus small units removed
  
• Accuracy against all units set to 100% at short range, 90% at medium range and 80% at long range.

Gaalsien Carrier Weapon Systems:

• Power level 1 - Rate of Fire increased from 5 to 17.
  
• Power level 2 - Rate of Fire increased from 10 to 24.
  
• Power level 3 - Rate of Fire increased from 20 to 31.
  
• Power level 4 - Rate of Fire decreased from 40 to 38.

Coalition Missile Battery

When compared to the Gaalsien Missile Ship, the Coalition Missile Battery was much more cost-effective. Price change will now better reflect its power.

Missile Battery:

• Price from 100CU/70RU to 350CU/80RU

Assault Cruiser

The upgraded Assault Cruiser turned out to be a very specialized anti-air counter. The damage has been lowered so it is more in line with other anti-air units.

Assault Cruiser:

• It now requires the Assault Cruiser Anti-Air research in order to attack air.
  
• Anti-air weapon will now deal 175 damage instead of 250.

Coalition Strike Fighters

The early game advantage provided by Coalition Strike Fighters is interesting but too strong. The damage has been lowered to retain air as an option but allow opponents enough time to react to it. For example, you needed 2 Strike Fighters to snipe an enemy Railgun, but now you will need 3.

Strike Fighter:

• Damage from 175 to 120

For support with Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak or SHiFT, please visit http://support.gearboxsoftware.com.