{{Short description|Defunct 2026 video game}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2026}} {{Infobox video game | title = Highguard | image = Highguard key art.png | developer = Wildlight Entertainment | publisher = Wildlight Entertainment | director = {{Unbulleted list|Chad Grenier|Jason McCord}} | designer = David Bocek | writer = Jason Torfin | artist = Robert Taube | composer = [[Cris Velasco]] | engine = [[Unreal Engine 5]] | platforms = {{ubl|[[PlayStation 5]]|[[Windows]]|[[Xbox Series X/S]]}} | released = January 26, 2026 | genre = [[Hero shooter]] | modes = [[Multiplayer]] }}
'''''Highguard''''' was a [[hero shooter]] video game developed and published by Wildlight Entertainment. It was released for [[PlayStation 5]], [[Windows]], and [[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]] on January 26, 2026. A [[player versus player]] (PvP) raid shooter, the game cast players as "Wardens" competing in team-based matches combining [[first-person shooter]] mechanics with mounted combat and destructible environments.
''Highguard'' received a mixed critical reception upon launch, with player counts dropping 90% from its launch peak within a week. The game was shut down on March 12, 45 days after its release, following a failure to establish a sustainable player-base and the withdrawal of its primary financial backer.
==Gameplay==
''Highguard'' was a [[player versus player]] raid shooter where players took on the roles of "Wardens", characters described as arcane gunslingers who fight for control over a mythical continent.<ref>{{Cite web |last=West |first=Josh West |date=December 12, 2025 |title=Highguard: Everything you need to know about the new F2P shooter |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/fps/highguard-guide/ |access-date=January 26, 2026 |website=GamesRadar+ |language=en |archive-date=January 20, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260120195502/https://www.gamesradar.com/games/fps/highguard-guide/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Matches involved competing with rival crews to secure pivotal objectives such as the "Shieldbreaker", which enables teams to launch assaults on enemy bases.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sinha |first=Ravi |title=Highguard, A Fantasy Titanfall-Like Shooter, Launches on January 26th, 2026 |url=https://gamingbolt.com/highguard-a-fantasy-titanfall-like-shooter-launches-on-january-26th-2026 |access-date=January 26, 2026 |website=GamingBolt |language=en-US |archive-date=December 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251212051743/https://gamingbolt.com/highguard-a-fantasy-titanfall-like-shooter-launches-on-january-26th-2026 |url-status=live }}</ref> The game combined traditional [[first-person shooter]] mechanics with elements such as mounted combat, destructible environments, and fantasy-inspired abilities. It supported cross-platform play and cross-progression across all its launch platforms.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=December 12, 2025 |title=Wildlight Entertainment announces free-to-play PvP first-person shooter Highguard for PS5, Xbox Series, and PC |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2025/12/wildlight-entertainment-announces-free-to-play-pvp-first-person-shooter-highguard-for-ps5-xbox-series-and-pc |access-date=January 26, 2026 |website=Gematsu |language=en-US |archive-date=December 31, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251231082919/https://www.gematsu.com/2025/12/wildlight-entertainment-announces-free-to-play-pvp-first-person-shooter-highguard-for-ps5-xbox-series-and-pc |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Development== The game was developed by Wildlight Entertainment, a studio founded by Dusty Welch, Chad Grenier, and 60 other industry veterans, many of whom previously worked on notable shooter franchises including ''[[Apex Legends]]'', ''[[Call of Duty]]'', and ''[[Titanfall]]''.<ref name="gd studio">{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Justin |date=February 16, 2023 |title=New studio Wildlight Entertainment formed by triple-A game veterans |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/new-studio-wildlight-entertainment-formed-by-triple-a-game-veterans |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217150903/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/new-studio-wildlight-entertainment-formed-by-triple-a-game-veterans |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |access-date=January 26, 2026 |website=[[Game Developer (website)|Game Developer]] |language=en}}</ref> ''Highguard'' was Wildlight Entertainment's debut title.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Patches |first=Matt |date=December 12, 2025 |title=The Game Awards' grand finale reveal was a game you've never heard of coming out in a month |url=https://www.polygon.com/highguard-trailer-tgas-2025-last-reveal/ |access-date=January 14, 2026 |website=Polygon |language=en |archive-date=December 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251212221439/https://www.polygon.com/highguard-trailer-tgas-2025-last-reveal/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
The game was initially created as a survival-focused shooter similar to ''[[Rust (video game)|Rust]]''.<ref name="bloomberg story">{{Cite news |last=Schreier |first=Jason |date=February 26, 2026 |title=The Story Behind the Failure of 'Highguard' |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2026-02-26/the-story-behind-the-failure-of-highguard |access-date=March 12, 2026 |work=[[Bloomberg News]]|url-access=subscription}}</ref> The game's development began in 2022 and lasted four years before the game was released. It was intended to be a "[[wiktionary:shadow drop|shadow drop]]", releasing shortly after its reveal with minimal marketing in order to "let the game speak for itself".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Galizio |first=James |date=January 26, 2026 |title=Highguard Devs Talk Turning Rust Into A Hero Shooter And That Terrible Game Awards Reveal |url=https://kotaku.com/highguard-game-awards-trailer-rust-hero-shooter-interview-2000663137 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260126185002/https://kotaku.com/highguard-game-awards-trailer-rust-hero-shooter-interview-2000663137 |archive-date=January 26, 2026 |access-date=January 26, 2026 |website=Kotaku |language=en}}</ref> In February 2023, the studio announced that it was working on a new [[AAA (video game industry)|AAA]] video game title that had been in development “for some time.”<ref name="gd studio" />
However, after two years of the development, Wildlight refocused the project in January 2024 to concentrate on highly competitive gameplay and the raid-based aspects of the existing game, abandoning the survival mechanics. The team experimented with four teams of three before arriving at the game's 3v3 format. Testing found that the game proved to be overly complicated in its mechanics and difficult to play without voice chat, but an open beta test was attempted.<ref name="bloomberg story" />
It was reported in February 2026 that, according to unnamed sources who spoke to the outlet ''Game File'', [[TiMi Studio Group]], a subsidiary of Chinese conglomerate [[Tencent]], had been the undisclosed primary financial backer of the game.<ref name="gd-tenc">{{cite web |last1=Argüello |first1=Diego |title=Report: Tencent was Highguard's secret financial backer |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/report-tencent-was-highguard-s-undisclosed-lead-financial-backer |website=[[Game Developer (website)|Game Developer]] |date=February 19, 2026 |access-date=February 26, 2026 |archive-date=March 4, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260304151901/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/report-tencent-was-highguard-s-undisclosed-lead-financial-backer |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bailey |first=Dustin |date=February 17, 2026 |title=Highguard was reportedly secretly funded by Tencent, and if that kind of backer can't offer more than two weeks of life I don't know what hope a multiplayer FPS has in 2026 |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/fps/highguard-was-reportedly-secretly-funded-by-tencent-and-if-that-kind-of-backer-cant-offer-more-than-two-weeks-of-life-i-dont-know-what-hope-a-multiplayer-fps-has-in-2026/ |access-date=February 17, 2026 |website=GamesRadar+ |language=en }}</ref> The claim has not been substantiated by either TiMi or Wildlight.<ref name="gd-tenc"/>
==Marketing and release== ''Highguard'' was revealed at [[The Game Awards 2025|the Game Awards]] on December 11, 2025.<ref name=pcg-eye/> [[Geoff Keighley]] presented the game as the show's final world-premiere reveal.<ref name=pcg-eye>{{Cite news |first=Andy |last=Chalk |date=December 12, 2025 |title=The internet is not convinced it should care about another PvP hero shooter, drops a collective eye-roll that plunges the big Game Awards final reveal into a YouTube dislikes hole |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/internet-not-convinced-it-should-care-about-another-pvp-hero-shooter-collective-eye-roll-plunges-big-game-awards-finale-reveal-into-a-youtube-dislikes-hole/ |access-date=January 27, 2026 |work=PC Gamer |language=en |archive-date=December 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251212200020/https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/internet-not-convinced-it-should-care-about-another-pvp-hero-shooter-collective-eye-roll-plunges-big-game-awards-finale-reveal-into-a-youtube-dislikes-hole/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Keighley highlighted the game as a project from a team of veteran developers known for their work on ''[[Apex Legends]]'' and ''[[Titanfall]]''.<ref name=pcg-eye/> According to ''[[Forbes]]'', his decision to feature ''Highguard'' in the finale slot was based on his support for the game rather than any paid promotion.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tassi |first=Paul |title='Highguard' Did Not Pay For Its Infamous Game Awards Finale Slot |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2026/01/17/highguard-did-not-pay-for-its-infamous-game-awards-finale-slot/ |access-date=January 27, 2026 |work=Forbes |language=en |archive-date=January 25, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260125010214/https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2026/01/17/highguard-did-not-pay-for-its-infamous-game-awards-finale-slot/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Wildlight Entertainment remained silent on social media regarding the game's status until January.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zwiezen |first=Zack |date=January 23, 2026 |title=Highguard Breaks Radio Silence And The Internet Reacts |url=https://kotaku.com/highguard-breaks-radio-silence-and-the-internet-reacts-2000662650 |access-date=January 26, 2026 |website=Kotaku |language=en-US |archive-date=January 26, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260126220237/https://kotaku.com/highguard-breaks-radio-silence-and-the-internet-reacts-2000662650 |url-status=live }}</ref> In January 2026, the studio announced a showcase to debut gameplay on January 26, 2026, ahead of the game's launch.<ref name=ign-showc/> The presentation featured a full gameplay deep dive and outlined year-one plans, with content creators invited to the studio to play the game.<ref name=ign-showc>{{Cite web |last=Blake |first=Vikki |date=January 26, 2026 |title=Highguard Global Release Times Confirmed Ahead of Launch Showcase |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/highguard-global-release-times-confirmed-ahead-of-launch-showcase |access-date=January 26, 2026 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=January 26, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260126140741/https://www.ign.com/articles/highguard-global-release-times-confirmed-ahead-of-launch-showcase |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Highguard'' was released on January 26, 2026,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Norris |first=Rory |date=January 26, 2026 |title=Here's when Highguard launches in your region |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/highguard-launch-time-release-date/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260126112103/https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/highguard-launch-time-release-date/ |archive-date=January 26, 2026 |access-date=January 26, 2026 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}}</ref> and peaked at nearly 100,000 players. However, it lost 90% of its player base in the first week.<ref name="bloomberg story" />
The studio revealed a "2026 Game Plan" outlining future content releases by episode, each spanning one or two months, over the course of the first year.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Manchester |first1=Austin |title='We were not ready': How the Highguard team plans on avoiding their Apex Legends mistakes |url=https://www.polygon.com/highguard-roadmap-apex-legends-live-service-plan/ |website=Polygon |language=en |date=January 28, 2026 |access-date=January 30, 2026 |archive-date=January 28, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260128175410/https://www.polygon.com/highguard-roadmap-apex-legends-live-service-plan/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Koch |first1=Cameron |title=Highguard Just Launched, But It Already Has A 2026 Roadmap |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/highguard-just-launched-but-it-already-has-a-2026-roadmap/1100-6537653/ |website=GameSpot |date=January 26, 2026 |access-date=January 30, 2026 |archive-date=January 27, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260127021714/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/highguard-just-launched-but-it-already-has-a-2026-roadmap/1100-6537653/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Responding to player criticism, Wildlight released an update that expanded the game to a 5v5 format.<ref name="bloomberg story" />
=== Shutdown === In February 2026, it was reported that, according to unnamed sources, the studio's management revealed in an all-hands meeting that [[Tencent]] had withdrawn its funding.<ref name="bloomberg story" /> The studio announced layoffs, with only a "core group" remaining to support ''Highguard''{{'}}s development.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Higham |first1=Michael |date=February 11, 2026 |title=Most of Highguard Studio Has Been Laid Off Says Former Dev, Wildlight Confirms Cuts |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/highguard-studio-wildlight-hit-with-layoffs |access-date=February 12, 2026 |website=IGN}}</ref><ref name="gi-layoff" /> Wildlight stated: "We're proud of the team, talent, and the product we've created together. We're also grateful for players who gave the game a shot, and those who continue to be a part of our community."<ref name="gi-layoff">{{cite magazine |last1=LeBlanc |first1=Wesley |date=February 11, 2026 |title=UPDATE: Highguard Developer Wildlight Entertainment Confirms Layoffs At The Studio |url=https://gameinformer.com/2026/02/11/update-highguard-developer-wildlight-entertainment-confirms-layoffs-at-the-studio |access-date=February 12, 2026 |magazine=Game Informer}}</ref> Speculation about the game's impending closure began on February 17 after the game's website went down for unexplained reasons, though at the time the game's servers remained online.<ref name="comicbook shutdown">{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Logan |date=February 17, 2026 |title=Is Highguard Shutting Down? Here's What We Know |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/highguard-shutdown-concerns/ |access-date=February 17, 2026 |website=ComicBook.com |language=en-US |archive-date=February 17, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260217235057/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/highguard-shutdown-concerns/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Compendio |first=Chris |date=February 17, 2026 |title=Highguard Appears Ready To Say Bye-Guard, Players Believe |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/highguard-appears-ready-to-say-bye-guard-players-believe/1100-6538232/ |access-date=February 17, 2026 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref> On the game's official [[Discord]] server, a developer from Wildlight stated that the game was still being worked on and that the website was in the process of being fixed but that it was a low priority as the "reputational damage" had already occurred.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Koepp |first=Brent |date=February 18, 2026 |title=Highguard Dev Breaks Silence After Website Shutdown - Promises More Updates |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/highguard-dev-breaks-silence-after-website-shutdown-promises-more-updates/ |access-date=February 18, 2026 |website=VICE |language=en-US |archive-date=February 18, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260218143522/https://www.vice.com/en/article/highguard-dev-breaks-silence-after-website-shutdown-promises-more-updates/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
On March 3, Wildlight announced that ''Highguard'' would be taken offline.<ref name="BBCShutdown">{{Cite news |last=Levy-Collins |first=Georgia |date=March 4, 2026 |title=Video game Highguard axed weeks after release |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp855yq1g03o |access-date=March 12, 2026 |work=[[BBC News]] |archive-date=March 8, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260308191927/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp855yq1g03o |url-status=live }}</ref> Reporters noted that its shutdown has come on the heel of several other recent [[live service game]] failures, namely ''[[Concord (video game)|Concord]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zwiezen |first=Zack |date=March 3, 2026 |title=Highguard Is Already Shutting Down After Only Lasting 31 Days Longer Than Concord |url=https://kotaku.com/highguard-shutting-down-less-than-50-days-after-launch-2000675453 |access-date=March 12, 2026 |website=Kotaku |language=en-US |archive-date=March 8, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260308040742/https://kotaku.com/highguard-shutting-down-less-than-50-days-after-launch-2000675453 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=March 4, 2026 |title=Highguard's failure is yet another case of a problem that has tormented videogame investors for years now |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/highguards-failure-is-emblematic-of-something-that-has-tormented-videogame-investors-for-years-now-past-live-service-hits-do-not-equal-future-live-service-hits/ |access-date=March 6, 2026 |work=PC Gamer |language=en |last=Wilde |first=Tyler |archive-date=March 6, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260306124125/https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/highguards-failure-is-emblematic-of-something-that-has-tormented-videogame-investors-for-years-now-past-live-service-hits-do-not-equal-future-live-service-hits/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=March 3, 2026 |title=Highguard has raided its last fortress, will shutdown on March 12 |url=https://www.engadget.com/gaming/highguard-has-raided-its-last-fortress-will-shutdown-on-march-12-225531035.html |access-date=March 6, 2026 |website=Engadget |language=en-US |last=Campbell |first=Ian |archive-date=March 5, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260305144326/https://www.engadget.com/gaming/highguard-has-raided-its-last-fortress-will-shutdown-on-march-12-225531035.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Koepp |first=Brent |date=March 4, 2026 |title=How Highguard Became Gaming's Next Concord in Just 45 Days |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/how-highguard-became-gamings-next-concord-in-just-45-days/ |access-date=March 8, 2026 |website=VICE |language=en-US |archive-date=March 6, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260306132627/https://www.vice.com/en/article/how-highguard-became-gamings-next-concord-in-just-45-days/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The game was delisted from digital storefronts, and its servers went offline just after 18:00 (UTC) on March 12.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Woods |first=Sam |date=March 12, 2026 |title=A Paltry 399 Players Turned Up To Wish Highguard Its Final Goodbyes |url=https://www.thegamer.com/a-paltry-758-players-turned-up-to-wish-highguard-its-final-goodbyes/ |access-date=March 12, 2026 |website=TheGamer |language=en}}</ref> On March 18, it was reported that [[Sony Interactive Entertainment|Sony]] began issuing automatic refunds to those who purchased content on the [[PlayStation 5]] version.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blake |first=Vikki |date=March 18, 2026 |title=Sony Reportedly Issuing Automatic Refunds for Additional Content Bought for Short-Lived Highguard Live Service |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/sony-reportedly-issuing-automatic-refunds-for-additional-content-bought-for-short-lived-live-service-highguard |access-date=March 19, 2026 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=March 19, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260319040039/https://www.ign.com/articles/sony-reportedly-issuing-automatic-refunds-for-additional-content-bought-for-short-lived-live-service-highguard |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Reception== === Critical response === {{Video game reviews | MC = (PC) 63/100<ref name="MCPC" />{{Efn|Based on 29 reviews}}<br>(PS5) 62/100<ref name="MCPS5" />{{Efn|Based on 10 reviews}} | OC = 39%<ref name="opencritic" /> | PSQ = 6/10<ref name="psq" /> | PCGUK = 65/100<ref name="pcg" /> | GSpot = 6/10<ref name="gs" /> | GRadar = 3/5<ref name="gradar" /> }}
The PC version of ''Highguard'' received "mixed or average" reviews according to [[review aggregator]] website [[Metacritic]].<ref name="MCPC">{{cite web |title=Highguard for PC reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/highguard/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |access-date=January 30, 2026 |website=Metacritic |archive-date=January 29, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260129213826/https://www.metacritic.com/game/highguard/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="MCPS5">{{cite web |title=Highguard for PlayStation 5 reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/highguard/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5 |access-date=March 12, 2026 |website=Metacritic}}</ref> [[OpenCritic]] assessed that 39% of critics recommended the game.<ref name="opencritic">{{cite web |title=''Highguard'' |url=https://opencritic.com/game/19859/highguard |access-date=January 31, 2026 |publisher=[[OpenCritic]] |archive-date=January 5, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260105223319/https://opencritic.com/game/19859/highguard |url-status=live }}</ref>
Concluding his review for ''[[Push Square]]'', Aaron Bayne described ''Highguard'' as "a fun yet bloated shooter that lacks the spark you'll find in other games in the genre", as well as "a jack of all trades and master of none". Bayne praised the gameplay while criticizing the "uninspired" artstyle, "bloated" match mechanics, and "lacking" progression systems.<ref name="psq">{{Cite web |last=Square |first=Push |date=January 30, 2026 |title=Review: Highguard (PS5) - Jack of All Trades PS5 Shooter Is Fine |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/highguard |access-date=February 17, 2026 |website=Push Square |language=en-GB}}</ref>
In a review for ''[[PC Gamer]]'', Morgan Park noted that, while the game in their view leaned too heavily towards being for a competitive esports scene, the addition of a 5v5 mode in its first week suggests a willingness on the part of the developers to experiment with a more casual game style which they believed gave it hope for improvement despite currently surmising the game as "simply fine".<ref name="pcg">{{Cite web |last=Park |first=Morgan |date=February 3, 2026 |title=Highguard review: 2019 was a long time ago |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/highguard-review/ |access-date=February 5, 2026 |website=PC Gamer |language=en}}</ref> Writing for ''[[GameSpot]]'', Stella Chung echoed with similar sentiments stating that they felt the game "isn't ready for prime time", with them highlighting that while the movement mechanics and close-range gunplay were enjoyable, longer-range combat was less so and that playing solo was a "miserable" experience.<ref name="gs">{{Cite web |last=Chung |first=Stella |date=February 4, 2026 |title=Highguard Review - Not Ready For Primetime |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/highguard-review-not-ready-for-primetime/1900-6418458/ |access-date=February 5, 2026 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref> Ford James of ''[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]'' made further similar remarks regarding a lack of polish, stating the game felt like an "early access release", and also critiquing the solo experience but praising elements of the combat, while also believing it failed to offer a unique experience.<ref name="poly">{{Cite web |last=James |first=Ford |date=January 30, 2026 |title=After a week, Highguard feels like wasted potential |url=https://www.polygon.com/highguard-review/ |access-date=February 5, 2026 |website=Polygon |language=en |archive-date=January 31, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260131181811/https://www.polygon.com/highguard-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref> For ''[[GamesRadar+]]'', Will Sawyer surmised the game's experience as being "less than the sum of its parts" and lacking a strong identity, but did praise the developers for being willing to listen to player feedback and conclude that despite its flaws it remained a fun shooter.<ref name="gradar">{{Cite web |first=Will |last=Sawyer |date=February 3, 2026 |title=Highguard review: 'A fresh but muddled FPS genre mashup that needs refinement if it's to have any staying power' |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/fps/highguard-review/ |access-date=February 5, 2026 |website=GamesRadar+ |language=en}}</ref>
=== Impact of the Game Awards trailer === Following the game's release and mixed reception, there was comment from some involved in development of the game regarding the impact of the initial release trailer at [[the Game Awards 2025]]. Wildlight's [[chief executive officer]] Dusty Welch, speaking to ''PC Gamer'', would state that they did not pay for the trailer's placement at the show, and commented that in retrospect they would have made a trailer that better demonstrated the game's "unique loop".<ref>{{Cite news |first=Morgan |last=Park |date=January 26, 2026 |title='Ultimately, we could have made a different trailer': Highguard CEO responds to that poorly-received Game Awards reveal |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/ultimately-we-could-have-made-a-different-trailer-highguard-ceo-responds-to-that-poorly-received-game-awards-reveal/ |access-date=February 17, 2026 |work=PC Gamer |language=en |archive-date=March 3, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260303010401/https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/ultimately-we-could-have-made-a-different-trailer-highguard-ceo-responds-to-that-poorly-received-game-awards-reveal/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Following layoffs in February, former lead technical artist Josh Sobel stated they believed that the trailer's negative reception had an undeniable impact on the game's "failure" at launch, likening it to slander.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Phillips Kennedy |first=Victoria |date=February 13, 2026 |title='We were turned into a joke from minute one' - fired Highguard developer reflects on game's ill-fated launch and 'false assumptions' after Game Awards reveal |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/we-were-turned-into-a-joke-from-minute-one-fired-highguard-developer-reflects-on-games-ill-fated-launch-and-false-assumptions-after-game-awards-reveal |access-date=February 17, 2026 |work=Eurogamer |language=en |archive-date=February 16, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260216093127/https://www.eurogamer.net/we-were-turned-into-a-joke-from-minute-one-fired-highguard-developer-reflects-on-games-ill-fated-launch-and-false-assumptions-after-game-awards-reveal |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Metrics === ''Highguard'' reached an all-time peak of over 97,000 concurrent players within the first hour after the game's launch despite receiving mostly negative user reviews on [[Steam (service)|Steam]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Croft |first1=Liam |title=Highguard Doesn't Do a Concord, But Reception Is Lukewarm |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2026/01/highguard-doesnt-do-a-concord-but-reception-is-lukewarm |website=Push Square |date=January 27, 2026 |access-date=January 30, 2026 |archive-date=January 27, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260127190100/https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2026/01/highguard-doesnt-do-a-concord-but-reception-is-lukewarm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=poly-rock/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ratcliff |first=James |date=January 26, 2026 |title=Highguard is already drawing major attention on Steam |url=https://gamerant.com/highguard-steam-player-count-review-bomb/ |access-date=January 26, 2026 |website=Game Rant |language=en |archive-date=January 27, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260127001934/https://gamerant.com/highguard-steam-player-count-review-bomb/ |url-status=live }}</ref> By the following day, its player count dropped to under 20,000 on Steam.<ref name=poly-rock>{{cite web |last1=Lewis |first1=Claire |title=Highguard is off to a rocky start at launch |url=https://www.polygon.com/highguard-launch-rocky-start/ |website=Polygon |date=January 27, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Bevan |first1=Rhiannon |title=In Less Than 24 Hours, Highguard Has Already Dipped Below 10,000 CCU On Steam |url=https://www.thegamer.com/highguard-concurrent-player-count-launch-drop-off/ |website=TheGamer |language=en |date=January 27, 2026 |access-date=January 28, 2026 |archive-date=January 28, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260128022405/https://www.thegamer.com/highguard-concurrent-player-count-launch-drop-off/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Over the course of the week, the day-to-day peak player count remained below this number and the users reviews improved to mixed on Steam.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Swan |first1=Cameron |title="It Doesn't Matter" Highguard Boss Comments on the Game's Player Count |url=https://gamerant.com/highguard-player-count-comment-reaction/ |website=Game Rant |date=February 3, 2026 |access-date=February 4, 2026 |archive-date=February 3, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260203201737/https://gamerant.com/highguard-player-count-comment-reaction/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A week after the game's launch, the player count had dropped by 90%, which was concerning to ''Highguard'' staff.<ref name="bloomberg story" /> By mid-February, the day-to-day peak player counts had fallen to 1,600 on Steam, and had fallen below 600 by the month's end.<ref name="comicbook shutdown" /><ref name="bloomberg story" />
In March 2026, Wildlight stated that the game reached more than two million players, but had not built a sustainable player base to support the game long term.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Stewart |first1=Marcus |title=Highguard Is Shutting Down For Good Next Week |url=https://gameinformer.com/2026/03/03/highguard-is-shutting-down-for-good-next-week |magazine=Game Informer |date=March 3, 2026}}</ref>
==Notes== {{Notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251212043716/https://playhighguard.com/|date=December 12, 2025|title=Official website}}
[[Category:2026 video games]] [[Category:Fantasy video games]] [[Category:Free-to-play video games]] [[Category:Hero shooters]] [[Category:Inactive multiplayer online games]] [[Category:Multiplayer online games]] [[Category:Multiplayer video games]] [[Category:Online games shut down in 2026]] [[Category:PlayStation 5 games]] [[Category:Tower defense video games]] [[Category:Video games developed in the United States]] [[Category:Windows games]] [[Category:Xbox Series X and Series S games]]