Highguard Faces Uncertain Future Amid Website Issues and Layoffs

Highguard, a free-to-play PvP shooter developed by Wildlight Entertainment, is grappling with significant challenges just weeks after its launch on January 26, 2025. The game's official website has been down for over 24 hours, displaying a "site unavailable" message, which has raised concerns about the game's viability. Despite these issues, Wildlight has released a new content update that includes an airship base, a lockpick raid tool, and new outfits, aiming to reassure players about the game's future.

indy100"Reputational damage already done" - Highguard clings to life with a content patch as devs insist website going down a "low priority" problemIGN Entertainment

In response to the website's downtime, a Wildlight developer, WL_Coronach, addressed fans on Discord, stating that the website issues are primarily administrative and not indicative of an impending shutdown. The developer emphasized that the website is a "low priority" issue, as "reputational damage already done," and that the focus remains on delivering updates and content to improve the game. This sentiment was echoed in a previous statement from Wildlight, which confirmed that a "core group of developers" would continue to support Highguard despite recent layoffs.

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Highguard was initially showcased as a surprise announcement at The Game Awards 2025, generating significant interest with nearly 100,000 concurrent players at launch. However, the game's reception quickly soured, with a steep decline in player numbers and negative reviews following its release. Just 16 days post-launch, Wildlight laid off a significant portion of its staff, further fueling speculation about the game's future.

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The drastic drop in player engagement is evident, with concurrent player counts on Steam plummeting to below 1,000. This decline has led to a perception that Highguard is struggling to maintain its player base. Community reactions have been mixed; while some players express satisfaction with the new content updates, others remain skeptical about the game's long-term prospects.

"Reputational damage already done" - Highguard clings to life with a content patch as devs insist website going down a "low priority" problem

Amidst the turmoil, there have been reports suggesting that Tencent, a major Chinese corporation, may have funded Highguard's development, although the extent of this involvement is unclear. Additionally, the game's absence from content creator platforms like YouTube has sparked further speculation about its future.

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Looking ahead, Wildlight has indicated that it is committed to continuing development on Highguard, with plans for future updates already in the works. However, the studio's communication strategy has faced criticism, as the lack of transparency may hinder efforts to rebuild player trust and engagement.

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• “Not sure on the timeframe but basically it needs to be transferred and simplified. Low priority atm (reputational damage already done). Now we just need to focus on delivering updates and content to improve.” — WL_Coronach, Developer at Wildlight

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• “We were turned into a joke from minute one,” — Former Highguard Developer

"Reputational damage already done" - Highguard clings to life with a content patch as devs insist website going down a "low priority" problem

In summary, while Highguard's future remains uncertain, Wildlight's recent content update and commitment to ongoing development may provide a glimmer of hope for its dedicated player base.

"Reputational damage already done" - Highguard clings to life with a content patch as devs insist website going down a "low priority" problem