Just weeks after its launch, free-to-play shooter Highguard appears to be facing significant challenges. Reports from Kotaku and GamesRadar indicate that developer Wildlight Entertainment has conducted widespread layoffs.
Highguard, which debuted at The Game Awards 2025, received a lukewarm reception from audiences already saturated with live service hero shooter titles. The game’s reveal trailer failed to fully capture its unique gameplay loop, contributing to early skepticism. The free-to-play market has seen several high-profile failures recently, such as Concord, which was discontinued shortly after launch, adding to the pressure on Wildlight Entertainment.
Despite support from industry figure Geoff Keighley, who featured Highguard at The Game Awards, the game launched on January 26, 2026, to mixed reviews and reports of performance issues. Wildlight Entertainment subsequently released several updates aimed at addressing player feedback and improving the game’s stability. However, these updates apparently haven’t had the desired impact.
Players who have tried Highguard describe a game that feels initially fast-paced but becomes surprisingly methodical over time. While the early hours can be engaging, the game can feel repetitive during longer sessions, a critical drawback in a genre where clarity and consistent pacing are essential for player retention. The challenges facing Highguard underscore the difficulty of breaking into the competitive live-service gaming market.
News of the layoffs surfaced on LinkedIn, where level designer Alex Graner confirmed that he and “the majority of the Wildlight team” had been let go.
“Unfortunately, along with most of the Wildlight team, I was laid off today,” Graner wrote. “This stings quite a bit, as there was a lot of unreleased content I worked on and was excited to see in Highguard. Still, I’m excited for what’s next.”
Graner’s statement suggests that Highguard had additional content planned that will now likely go unreleased. This rapid shift from development to downsizing raises questions about the game’s future. As of February 12, 2026, Wildlight Entertainment has not issued an official statement regarding the layoffs or the future of the game.
Highguard remains available on PS5, PC, and Xbox Series, and continues to receive technical support. However, the departure of a significant portion of its development team casts doubt on the amount of additional content players can expect in the coming months.
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