Homeworld 3 developer update introduces the "flavor layer"

rockpapershotgun.com:

Homeworld and its sequel were real-time strategy games that stuck in the memory mainly due to the atmosphere they managed to create via dialogue, music choices and striking ship designs. I had mentally labelled coming sequel Homeworld 3 as "more of the same, but better looking", without thinking much more about it.

A new development update from developers Blackbird Interactive doesn't so much prove me wrong as go into great detail about what "better looking" really means - while also making me excited about the new "flavor layer" of ship-to-ship communication.

First up, the post gives this extremely brief glimpse of Homeworld 3's cinematics, which are pre-rendered for the first time and feature "fully 3D modelled characters complete with English language lipsyncing."

It later gives a look at biomes, mothership lighting, nebulae, and all the work that's going into "bringing 'terrain' to space combat" in Homeworld 3.

"In Homeworld 3, you'll fight your fair share of battles in cold, dark space," says the post. "But [Physical Based Rendering] allows us to create levels each with their own unique visual identity and near-photo realism. You'll command fleets in low orbit above planets, or explore ancient relics floating just above a churning sea of clouds. And in each of these environments, the materials of your ships will react with the light with a level of realism that, frankly, feels a bit awe-inspiring (yes, I'm a tad biased here)."

All of which seems appealing, yet somehow it's the radio chatter that most excites me. When giving units commands in Homeworld 3, they'll vocally respond in two ways. The first is via the ship's commander, who will be "concise, clearly audible from all distance ranges," and will give the