Relic Entertainment
Last updated: January 28, 2026
Overview
Founded in Vancouver in 1997 by Alex Garden and Luke Moloney, Relic Entertainment quickly gained attention for cinematic real-time strategy that emphasized bold art direction and narrative continuity. Sierra Studios published Relic’s debut Homeworld (1999), a groundbreaking 3D space RTS that earned critical acclaim and established the studio’s reputation for innovation. Sierra partnered with Relic again for Homeworld 2 (2003) before the studio was acquired by THQ in 2004.
After THQ’s bankruptcy in 2013, SEGA acquired Relic Entertainment. The studio continued developing acclaimed strategy games including the Company of Heroes and Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War franchises, as well as collaborating on Age of Empires IV with Xbox Game Studios.
History
Sierra Era (1997-2004)
- 1997: Founded by Alex Garden, Luke Moloney, and Erin Daly in Vancouver.
- 1999: Released Homeworld through Sierra, pioneering fully 3D space RTS with persistent fleets and cinematic storytelling.
- 2003: Released Homeworld 2 through Sierra/Vivendi, featuring refined UI and large-scale graphics upgrades.
- 2004: Acquired by THQ; begins work on Warhammer 40,000 license.
Post-Sierra (2004-Present)
After leaving Sierra’s publishing umbrella, Relic became one of the premier RTS developers in the industry, creating multiple critically acclaimed franchises for THQ (2004-2013) and later SEGA (2013-2024). In March 2024, SEGA sold Relic and the studio went fully independent, announcing plans to focus on smaller experimental projects and explore remasters of classic titles. The studio released the well-received Dawn of War Definitive Edition in August 2025.
Games
In This Archive (Sierra Era)
| Year | Game | Genre |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Homeworld | Real-Time Strategy |
| 2003 | Homeworld 2 | Real-Time Strategy |
Other Notable Games (Post-Sierra)
- Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War — 2004 (THQ, acclaimed RTS with squad-based combat)
- Company of Heroes — 2006 (THQ, WWII tactical RTS, multiple GOTY awards)
- Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II — 2009 (THQ)
- Company of Heroes 2 — 2013 (SEGA)
- Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III — 2017 (SEGA)
- Age of Empires IV — 2021 (Xbox Game Studios, collaboration with World’s Edge)
- Company of Heroes 3 — 2023 (SEGA)
- Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Definitive Edition — 2025 (Independent, 150K copies in 24 hours)
Legacy
Relic’s Sierra-era work cemented Homeworld as a prestige RTS franchise that influenced countless space strategy games. The IP’s strength led to Gearbox acquiring the rights and releasing Homeworld Remastered Collection (2015), while Blackbird Interactive (founded by ex-Relic staff) continued the series with Deserts of Kharak (2016) and Homeworld 3 (2024). Relic’s innovations in 3D strategic gameplay and cinematic presentation during the Sierra era established foundations they would build upon with Company of Heroes and Dawn of War.