Unlike Kickstarter and most other crowdfunding platforms, Fig allows project backers to actually invest in the game and earn a return on their investment: backers can opt for traditional backer rewards, or they can purchase "Fig Game Shares," which may or may not pay a monetary dividend based on the success of the project. Supporters can opt for traditional backer rewards or purchase "Fig game shares," which may or may not pay a financial dividend depending on the success of the project. This system seems to be primarily aimed at institutional investors rather than gamers eager to play obscure RPGs for which they cannot find a traditional publisher, but it seems to work. For example, the $4.4 million raised for Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire was split almost evenly between traditional backers and Fig Funds.

"Homeworld 3" was another Fig crowdfunding project. The goal of the project, Gearbox said in 2019, was to allow fans to "invest and participate in the success of the title" and to guide development through backer-only surveys and feedback; Fig's campaign page promises the same thing. 'You have a unique opportunity to invest in the success of "Homeworld 3,"' it says. "You don't just get the game. You have the chance to profit as well.

Except that won't happen: in an email (via Reddit) sent to Homeworld 3 "investment reservation" holders, Fig said that due to "recent changes at Gearbox," he will not recoup his investment.

"Please be assured that Fig has never charged you for your investment reservation and it will not affect your reservation for Homeworld 3. Additionally, the game and all associated perks will continue to be available to those who purchased it."

While it does not specify what the "recent changes at Gearbox" are, it is assumed that they are the result of Embracer Group's acquisition of Gearbox earlier this year, Fig CEO Justin Bailey told GamesIndustry.biz. confirming that the email shared on Reddit was legitimate, explaining that Gearbox was acquired by Embracer before completing the investment process, and implying the same thing. Indeed, Fig stated in that email that it had changed the way it handled its investments in response to being acquired by Republic, and that it now collects its investments up front, so there would be no repeat of this in the future.

The good news for "Homeworld 3" fans in this situation is that the game itself has not been affected at all: all development of "Homeworld 3" is proceeding smoothly," Fig said.

Although not much is known about "Homeworld 3," it is currently scheduled for release sometime in 2022. We have contacted Gearbox for more information on the funding changes and will update if we hear back.