Story perspectives

Wildlight Entertainment Lays Off Staff Post-Highguard Launch

2/12/2026

Summary

Story summary

Wildlight Entertainment laid off most staff weeks after launching Highguard, its debut game, on January 26, 2026.
LinkedIn posts from affected staff, including level designer Alex Graner, confirmed the layoffs.
Wildlight's official statement acknowledged the decision but did not disclose how many employees were affected.
The studio plans to maintain a core group to support Highguard amid criticism of the game’s performance and shrinking player base.

History

Historical Context

The video game crash of 1983, triggered by market saturation and poor-quality games, led to the collapse of over 20 companies, including Atari, resulting in losses of approximately $3 billion. This event marked a significant downturn in the industry, with home video game revenue plummeting from $3.2 billion in 1983 to around $100 million by 1985, highlighting the volatility of the gaming market.

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Story summary

Wildlight Entertainment laid off most staff weeks after launching Highguard, its debut game, on January 26, 2026.
LinkedIn posts from affected staff, including level designer Alex Graner, confirmed the layoffs.
Wildlight's official statement acknowledged the decision but did not disclose how many employees were affected.
The studio plans to maintain a core group to support Highguard amid criticism of the game’s performance and shrinking player base.

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