Highguard
News, coverage and analysis tracking Highguard across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Highguard Players on PS5 Are Seemingly Getting Refunds for In-Game Purchases
PlayStation 5 players of the recently shut down game Highguard are reportedly receiving automatic refunds for in-game purchases. While Sony has not officially commented, players on other platforms like PC and Xbox Series X have not reported similar refunds. It remains unclear if this initiative is from Sony or the developer, Wildlight Entertainment.
Highguard just died and we are already being bombarded with another hero shooter being compared to Concord
The hero shooter genre is facing intense player scrutiny, with games like Highguard shutting down shortly after release due to negative reception and comparisons to Concord. New titles like Time Takers are also facing early criticism, with players quickly forming opinions based on trailers and early gameplay, impacting their potential success.
The Daily Grind: Do you believe failed games are often ‘rugpulls’ and ‘money burners’?
This opinion piece discusses whether failed video games are often intentional 'rugpulls' or 'money burners' where developers knowingly release doomed projects, or if they are simply gambles inherent in game development. The author suggests that while some games may fail, it's important to consider the inherent risks and the possibility of refunds, questioning whether studios should launch games to test their viability.
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 Joins the Great Concord in the Sky, Now Officially Delisted on PS5
Highguard has been officially delisted from digital storefronts and is no longer playable as developer Wildlight Entertainment shuts down the game. The free-to-play online multiplayer shooter, from developers who worked on Apex Legends and Titanfall, failed to gain traction and is shutting down just 45 days after its launch. This marks a significant failure for Wildlight Entertainment, which also had to lay off a majority of its staff shortly after Highguard's release due to its lack of success.
Ex-Naughty Dog artist who helped design characters for Highguard promises to keep fighting the good fight - just not in the live-service sphere, anymore
Former Naughty Dog artist Del Walker, who contributed to games like The Last of Us Part 2, is stepping away from live-service game development following the shutdown of Highguard. Walker, known for his character designs, stated he will continue to focus on creating diverse characters, particularly Black women, but will no longer invest his energy into games that risk disappearing shortly after launch. Highguard, a 3v3 shooter, was shut down just weeks after its January release due to dwindling player numbers and funding issues, mirroring the fate of other live-service titles like Sony's Concord.
Highguard Vanishes from Steam Store, Sparking Community Concerns
The game Highguard has been removed from the Steam store, sparking concerns within the gaming community about digital preservation. While players who already own the game can still access it, the removal highlights the ongoing challenges of game availability on digital storefronts. The exact reasons for Highguard's disappearance remain officially undisclosed, leaving players and advocates to speculate on the implications for long-term game access.
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'.
Highguard (XS) Review | VGChartz
This review of Highguard criticizes the disproportionate amount of hate directed towards games, particularly live service titles, by players who claim not to care. The author argues that this negativity, seen across both single-player and live service games, has a more detrimental impact on the industry than developers creating more live service games.
Former Highguard dev who called out grave-dancing over the reveal trailer says the discourse 'had some very dark corners that may have accelerated the timeline of our failure,' but adds, 'it wasn't the primary cause'
Former Highguard lead technical artist Josh Sobel has clarified his earlier statements regarding the game's demise, admitting his initial reaction to criticism was a mistake fueled by stress. While acknowledging that online discourse may have accelerated the game's failure, he stated it was not the primary cause, attributing the outcome to multiple factors and the game's release in a crowded genre.
How Marathon avoids the mistake that Concord and Highguard made
Marathon is praised for avoiding the "Blorko" problem that affected Concord and Highguard by implementing a unique "Shells" mechanic for combat avatars. The game, developed by Bungie, launched on March 5, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, offering a fresh take on shooter gameplay with depth and flexibility. The article also briefly mentions other games like Crabmeat, Pragmata, Fortnite, Super Mario Lego, Never's End, Crimson Desert, and the lawsuit against Valve regarding lootboxes.
Highguard technical artist returns to social media, apologizes for his "misdirected" anger about the game's troubled launch
Highguard technical artist Josh Sobel has apologized on X/Twitter for his public anger regarding the hero shooter's troubled launch and subsequent cancellation. Sobel, who had been absent for a month, admitted his online outburst was "misdirected" and poorly phrased due to stress, though he stands by the intent behind his criticisms of external narratives impacting the game.
One of Marathon's best tricks? It dodges the "Blorko" problem that doomed Concord and Highguard
Bungie's upcoming shooter Marathon distinguishes itself from recent hero shooter failures like Concord and Highguard by focusing on functional 'Shells' rather than heavily marketed individual characters. This approach allows players to engage with distinct playstyles without the pressure of immediately bonding with pre-defined personalities, a strategy that has proven challenging for other games in the genre.
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.
Is Marathon Heading for the Same Fate as Concord and Highguard? | Invision Game Community
The article analyzes the challenges faced by new live-service multiplayer shooters, using Concord and Highguard as examples of recent failures. It discusses how Marathon, Bungie's upcoming extraction shooter, faces similar retention hurdles despite initial testing interest, and its success hinges on Bungie's experience with Destiny 2 and creating a compelling gameplay loop.
Just like Concord, Highguard is checking out; will Marathon go the same way?
The article discusses the challenges faced by games like Concord and Highguard, suggesting they may suffer a similar fate to Marathon due to premature grand launches without sufficient traction. It criticizes the generic visual identity of such games and advocates for a more humble, gradual development approach.
MMO Week in Review: Midnight’s proper launch, Ashes of Creation’s legal battle
This week's MMO news roundup covers the official launch of World of Warcraft Midnight, a legal battle involving Ashes of Creation's former boss Steven Sharif, and the debuts of Bungie's Marathon and Equinox Homecoming. Several games, including Highguard and Eldegarde, are also announced to be sunsetting.
Highguard is shutting down less than two months after launch
Wildlight Entertainment has announced that its free-to-play raid shooter Highguard will be shutting down its servers on March 12th, 2026, less than two months after its launch. Despite a passionate team and a final update planned, the game failed to build a sustainable player base, with funding from Tencent reportedly being pulled. Performance issues and controversial early gameplay decisions contributed to a poor first impression for the live service title.
Marathon PS5 User Reviews Remarkably Positive After String of Live Service Disasters
Marathon has received a largely positive user reception on the PlayStation Store and Steam, with a 4.77 rating from 3k reviews on PS Store and 'Very Positive' on Steam. This contrasts with the mixed reviews for other recent live service shooters like Highguard and Concord. While player retention remains to be seen, Marathon had a strong launch day player count on Steam.
Highguard: Why Wildlight’s Hero Shooter Collapsed in Under 50 Days | Invision Game Community
Wildlight Entertainment's hero shooter Highguard collapsed less than two months after its launch, despite initial hype and strong player numbers on PC via Steam. The game suffered from gameplay flaws, balancing issues, repetitive maps, and poor matchmaking, compounded by fierce competition in the crowded hero shooter market. Internal struggles, including layoffs, further hampered the developer's ability to support the live-service title, leading to community backlash and a swift shutdown.
