Wildlight Entertainment, the studio behind Highguard, has laid off several employees only two weeks after the game’s release. The multiplayer shooter had been given a prime showcase spot at The Game Awards last December, a slot usually reserved for the industry’s biggest upcoming titles. Despite being developed by veterans of major franchises such as Call of Duty, Apex Legends, and Titanfall, the game has struggled to hold on to players since its late January launch.
At the time of launch, Highguard attracted nearly one lakh PC players and drew about 3.8 lakh viewers on Twitch. However, those numbers quickly fell, dropping to just 3,600 concurrent PC users on the day the layoffs were announced. The decline mirrors challenges faced by other new shooters, such as Sony’s Concord, which was pulled from sale shortly after release.
The studio confirmed the layoffs, describing the decision as extremely difficult. While early previews praised Highguard for offering a fresh spin on the hero-shooter genre, its debut trailer left many fans confused about gameplay and identity. The muted reception at The Game Awards, combined with limited marketing and a sudden release announcement, meant the game entered a crowded market without much momentum.
Despite the setback, Wildlight says it will continue supporting the game with a smaller team and has a year’s worth of updates planned. The studio expressed pride in the work accomplished and gratitude to players who tried the game and remain part of its community. Industry observers reportedly note that Highguard faced an uphill battle against established rivals such as Apex Legends and Overwatch, which recently launched a major reboot.