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From Game Awards Spotlight to Industry Reality
When Highguard took centre stage at The Game Awards 2025, it looked poised to become one of the next major competitive shooters. The exposure placed Wildlight Entertainment firmly in the spotlight, positioning the game as a fresh contender in an increasingly crowded market.
However, that momentum proved short-lived. While initial curiosity was high, player reception quickly shifted toward criticism. Many players felt the final experience did not live up to the expectations built by its marketing and showcase presence. Instead of sustained enthusiasm, Highguard found itself facing scepticism across community channels.
Concerning Player Trends on Steam
Wildlight has not publicly disclosed total player numbers across platforms, but publicly available Steam data offers some insight into the game’s performance. Concurrent player figures have remained modest, suggesting difficulties in attracting and retaining a large audience.
In a bid to reignite engagement, the studio recently made its 5v5 mode permanent, signalling an effort to stabilise the game’s competitive foundation. Despite that move, visible player metrics have yet to show a significant turnaround.
For a live service shooter, sustained engagement is critical. Without consistent player growth or retention, the long-term viability of Highguard becomes increasingly difficult.
Layoffs Surface via LinkedIn
The situation escalated further when news of layoffs emerged through LinkedIn posts from affected employees. One of them, former Senior Level Designer Alex Graner, confirmed that a substantial portion of the team had been let go.
While Wildlight Entertainment has not issued an official statement detailing the scope of the cuts, the description suggests that the layoffs were not minor. Graner also expressed disappointment that much of the team’s work may never be seen by players.
As of writing, the studio has yet to clarify its restructuring plans or confirm how development support for Highguard will be affected.
A Difficult Signal for a Live Service Title
Layoffs occurring so soon after launch are rarely an encouraging sign, particularly for a live service game that depends on regular updates and long-term content roadmaps. Team reductions can slow development cycles, reduce scope for future updates, or, in more severe cases, signal deeper financial strain.
At this stage, there has been no confirmation that Highguard is at risk of shutdown. However, the combination of low visible player numbers and internal restructuring has inevitably raised concerns within the community.
For now, the future remains uncertain. Whether Wildlight can steady the project and rebuild confidence will likely depend on how quickly it communicates its next steps and demonstrates meaningful progress.
