The gaming world is abuzz with the news that Highguard, a highly anticipated live-service shooter, is closing down just weeks after its release. But what went wrong? Was it a case of too much hype or a flawed game design?
The Rise and Fall of Highguard:
Highguard, developed by Wildlight Entertainment, was set to be the next big thing in the gaming industry. With a team of former Apex Legends and Call of Duty developers, the game promised an exciting blend of FPS and MOBA elements. However, the game's journey was short-lived, as it failed to sustain a healthy player base.
On March 3, 2026, Wildlight announced that Highguard would be shutting down on March 12, less than two months after its launch. This came as a shock to many, especially considering the game's impressive debut. Highguard initially attracted nearly 100,000 concurrent players on Steam, a promising start for any live-service game.
But here's where it gets controversial: despite the initial hype, many players didn't stick around. The game's player base rapidly declined, with SteamDB charts showing a peak of just over 15,000 players the first weekend after launch. By the end of January, Highguard struggled to maintain even 1,000 concurrent players on Steam.
A Game of Missed Opportunities:
Wildlight Entertainment was quick to respond to player feedback, introducing new features and modes. They added a 5v5 mode, which later became permanent, to address the lack of action. They also introduced new playable heroes, known as Wardens, and made various tweaks to improve the overall experience. But these efforts seemed to be in vain, as players continued to leave.
One of the key issues, as noted by our reviewer Ford James, was the game's overwhelming number of ideas. Highguard attempted to blend FPS, MOBA, survival, and trading elements, resulting in an awkward pacing. While the game showcased the developers' expertise, it struggled to find a cohesive identity.
Behind the Scenes Drama:
The troubles for Highguard didn't end with its player base. Just two weeks after the game's launch, Wildlight laid off most of its team, according to a developer who was let go. This move was reportedly due to financial backer Tencent pulling its funding, as revealed by a Bloomberg report. The report suggests that Wildlight's financing was tied to specific metrics, such as retention rate, which the game failed to meet.
And this is the part most people miss: the decision to announce Highguard at The Game Awards 2025, instead of a surprise launch like Apex Legends, may have contributed to the game's fate. This strategy shift, as Wildlight CEO Dusty Welch admitted, might have been a risky move.
As Highguard's servers prepare to go offline, the gaming community is left with questions. Was the game's failure due to its design, marketing, or a combination of factors? What lessons can be learned from Highguard's short-lived journey? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let's discuss the challenges of creating and sustaining a successful live-service game.
