App developer turns to crowdfunding to buy Homeworld IP from THQ

Mobile and desktop app developer teamPixel has set up a campaign on crowdsourcing site Indiegogo to purchase the Homeworld IP from THQ, and is planning to continue the series with Homeworld 3 and Homeworld Touch titles should their funding be successful.

Relic Entertainment was purchased by Sega for $26.6 million in yesterday's auction to liquidate THQ's assets. The IP for Relic's Homeworld franchise was not included in the list of acquisitions, sparking teamPixel's "Save Homeworld" project.

TeamPixel is asking for $50,000 towards the purchase of the IP, and plans to draw on the "equity funding, credit, and even the pocket change" of its staff to augment the purchase. The developer hopes pre-order campaigns for its planned new titles will assist in funding as well.

If the campaign succeeds, teamPixel plans to release the original 1999 Homeworld on GoG and Steam in addition to developing new titles. The team has already been testing several prototypes for a mobile port of Homeworld utilizing touchscreen controls.

"The THQ bankruptcy has given all of us a massive opportunity to put Homeworld back in the hands of gamers," reads a statement on the campaign page from lead developer Robert Santos. "TeamPixel respectfully requests the support of Homeworld fans everywhere in helping us raise funds to acquire the Homeworld franchise from THQ during their bankruptcy."

TeamPixel acknowledges that its goal is lofty, and has guaranteed refunds to all contributors should they not meet their goal.

"Without the Homeworld franchise, we have no way to act on our ideas, and so you deserve your money back," Santos wrote.