Highguard Shutters After Less Than Two Months Amidst Player and Developer Criticism
Wildlight's hero shooter Highguard has collapsed just weeks after launch due to gameplay flaws and intense competition. Developer comments suggest online discourse may have hastened its demise, though internal issues were primary. Issues cited include repetitive maps, poor matchmaking, and an overly complex, competitive design alienating new players.
Coverage across 3 outlets
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.
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.
Ex Highguard dev pins its failure on being "the sweatiest version" of a team shooter
A former level designer for the multiplayer shooter Highguard attributes the game's failure to its overly competitive and complicated nature. The complexity reportedly prevented new players from engaging with the game.