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Sony Reportedly Issuing Automatic Refunds For Additional Content Bought For Short-Lived Live Service, Highguard - IGN
Sony is automatically refunding players for additional content purchased for the short-lived live service game Highguard, which shut down on March 12. The game, developed by Wildlight and backed by Tencent, experienced a rapid decline in player numbers after its January launch. This follows a similar pattern to another PlayStation flop, Concord, which also shut down shortly after release.
Highguard Players Get Refunds As Dev Seemingly Shuts Down For Good
The free-to-play shooter Highguard has ceased operations, with players on PlayStation 5 reporting that Sony is issuing refunds for in-game microtransaction purchases. Developer Wildlight's online presence has vanished, and the company previously laid off most of its staff. Tencent was among the funders who reportedly pulled support after the game's launch, with the game failing to generate sufficient revenue.
Highguard Officially Shuts Down, Joins Concord in Digital Graveyard
Highguard has officially shut down, with its servers going offline on March 12th and the game being delisted from all digital storefronts including Steam and PlayStation 5. The closure of this live service game is being compared to the similar fate of Concord, highlighting concerns about game preservation and the disposable nature of online-only titles in the industry.
Highguard (XS) Review | VGChartz
Highguard is a rewarding hero shooter that blends various personalities, though its identity conflicts with player engagement. Despite an unrealized roadmap, the game offers a compelling experience that encourages players to continue for 'just one more game'.
As Highguard Enters Final Day, Dev Says Online Discourse "Accelerated The Timeline Of Our Failure"
Wildlight developer Josh Sobel discussed the factors contributing to the failure of the free-to-play game Highguard, acknowledging that while online discourse may have accelerated its demise, it was not the primary cause. Sobel also addressed his previous controversial comments, calling his initial post a mistake due to stress and poor phrasing. The article also notes Tencent's withdrawal of funding and the game's struggle with revenue.
You’ve got a whopping one week to play Highguard’s last patch, hero, and account progression system
Wildlight has released the final update for its hero shooter Highguard, introducing an account progression system, a new hero named Koldo, and a new gun. The game is scheduled to shut down on March 12th, after a brief 45-day lifespan, due to an inability to build a sustainable player base despite an initial surge in popularity.
Highguard's Final 'Farewell Tour' Patch Gives Everyone a New Warden and Skill Tree to Play Around With Until the Very End - IGN
Highguard, the free-to-play PvP raid shooter developed by Wildlight, is releasing its final update before shutting down on March 12. The 'Farewell Tour' patch introduces a new Warden named Koldo, a versatile Switchback weapon, account progression with a new skill tree, and various gameplay enhancements. Despite a strong initial launch on PC, the game saw a significant drop in player count, leading to studio layoffs and the eventual closure.
Highguard's final update - which Wildlight's "skeleton crew" crunched to finish - goes live, just days before the game disappears forever
Wildlight has released the final update for its free-to-play hero shooter Highguard, featuring a new Warden named Koldo, the Switchback weapon, and a new skill tree. Creative director Jason McCord acknowledged the 'skeleton crew' that worked to complete the update before the game's permanent shutdown. Despite the game's impending closure due to dwindling player numbers and funding issues, the team aimed to deliver these final features.
Highguard's beefy final update is live, with a "skeleton crew" having voluntarily "crunched" to get it out ahead of shutdown
Ahead of its March 12th shutdown, Highguard has received its final update, featuring new skill trees, a weapon called the Switchback, and a new warden named Koldo. This update was developed by a dedicated 'skeleton crew' at Wildlight who voluntarily worked overtime to complete it. Despite some compromises due to the rushed development, the additions are not expected to significantly impact the player experience.
Flop FPS Highguard's Stats Show Steam Concurrents Are Just One Piece of the Puzzle
The failed FPS Highguard's player data indicates that PlayStation 5 was its largest platform, challenging the industry's heavy reliance on Steam concurrent player statistics. Despite better performance on PS5, the game is shutting down on March 12th due to an insufficient audience across all platforms.
Highguard will shut down permanently next week because Wildlight doesn't make "enough revenue to keep anyone employed to work on it"
Developer Wildlight is permanently shutting down its free-to-play hero shooter Highguard on March 12th, less than six weeks after its launch. Despite attracting over two million players, the game failed to generate enough revenue to sustain its development. Wildlight cited a lack of a sustainable player base as the primary reason for the closure, with a final update planned before servers go offline.
Highguard to Permanently Shut Down on March 12, Wildlight to Release One Final Update With a New Warden, a New Weapon, Skill Trees, and More - IGN
Wildlight has announced that its game Highguard will permanently shut down on March 12, after a brief period of operation. Before the shutdown, a final update will be released, introducing a new Warden, weapon, account progression, and skill trees. The developer cited an inability to build a sustainable player base despite initial strong launch numbers and positive feedback on its gunplay and update pace.
Highguard Is Shutting Down Soon
Highguard will officially shut down on March 12, developer Wildlight announced, citing a failure to build a sustainable player base. The game will receive one final update adding new content before servers go offline. Highguard launched in January 2026 after being revealed at The Game Awards in December 2025, but failed to maintain its initial player momentum.
Highguard Joins The List Of Live-Service Games Axed Within Weeks Of Launch
Several live-service games, including Highguard, Concord, and RumbleVerse, have been shut down shortly after launch due to issues with player retention and funding. This article examines various titles that failed to sustain their player base or business models, leading to premature closures or development halts.
Highguard Struggled Because It Is So Sweaty, Dev Says
Wildlight's free-to-play shooter Highguard struggled due to its intense 3v3 gameplay, which required high communication and left little room for casual play, according to senior level designer Alex Graner. The game's complex multi-stage setup and high-skill movement also deterred new players. Despite later additions of 5v5 and looting-free modes, player numbers did not recover, leading to Tencent reportedly pulling funding and Wildlight laying off most of its staff.
Former Highguard level designer suggests "sweaty" competitive 3v3 play "was the biggest thing that turned a lot of players off"
A former level designer for Highguard suggests that the game's focus on intense 3v3 competitive play alienated many players. The game's complex rules and high skill requirement for team-based play created a steep barrier to entry. This comes amid reports that Tencent pulled funding from developer Wildlight shortly after the game's launch, leading to layoffs.
Highguard started life as a survival shooter, and Tencent pulled funding two weeks after launch, a new report claims
Tencent allegedly pulled funding from the multiplayer shooter Highguard just two weeks after its January 26 launch, leading to layoffs of most of the 100-person team at developer Wildlight. The report suggests the game failed to meet Tencent's metrics, with fewer than 20 employees remaining at the studio. Highguard's development was marked by a pivot from a survival-shooter concept to a more crowded competitive shooter space, resulting in a complex core gameplay loop.
Valve in hot water, Discord begs forgiveness, and more game media layoffs - Patch Notes #42
This week's gaming news roundup covers significant industry events including Microsoft's Xbox leadership changes, Valve facing a lawsuit over gambling in Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2, and layoffs at companies like Riot Games and Eurogamer. Additionally, Krafton appointed a chief AI officer, Embark Studios' CEO became Nexon's executive chairman, and Discord delayed its age verification rollout.
Highguard barely has several hundred people playing together each day - can an incoming all-out action mode reverse its fate?
Developer Wildlight is introducing a new 'Raid Rush' mode to Highguard in an attempt to reverse its declining player count, which has fallen from approximately 13,000 daily concurrent players in February to just 694. The fast-paced mode pits two teams of five against each other in base attack and defense scenarios, removing the looting phase. Despite previous efforts like adding larger team modes and facing layoffs, the game's future remains uncertain, especially with competing titles like Marathon and Overwatch gaining traction.
