Highguard Shooter Shutting Down After 45 Days, Players Get Refunds
Wildlight Entertainment's free-to-play shooter Highguard will cease operations on March 12, just 45 days after its launch. Despite a final content update from a dedicated team, the game failed to maintain a sustainable player base. PlayStation is proactively refunding players for in-game purchases following the game's abrupt closure.
Coverage across 9 outlets
Report: Highguard Studio Wildlight Seems to Be Closing Its Doors
Highguard Studio, the developer of the shooter Highguard, appears to be closing down. The studio has begun removing its online presence, signaling the end of its operations.
Issues and Activism
Players who made in-game purchases in Highguard are reportedly receiving automatic refunds from PlayStation. This action follows issues with the game's monetization or content, leading to consumer dissatisfaction.
Highguard Players Are Seemingly Getting Refunds on PlayStation 5
Players of the free-to-play shooter Highguard are reportedly receiving refunds for in-game purchases on PlayStation 5, with Sony issuing them proactively. The game, developed by Wildlight Entertainment, was delisted and shut down on March 12, just 45 days after its launch, due to a failure to build a sustainable player base. Reports also indicate that financial backer Tencent withdrew funding due to the game's poor performance.
PS Store Issues Refunds for PS5 Game That Shut Down in 45 Days
The PlayStation Store is issuing automatic refunds for the free-to-play shooter Highguard, which shut down less than two months after its launch on January 2026. Players who made in-game purchases are receiving full refunds, a move that has surprised many given the PlayStation Store's typical refund policy. It is currently unclear if other storefronts like Steam and Microsoft will follow Sony's lead.
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.
Highguard Will Officially End Service This Month
Wildlight Entertainment announced that its free-to-play shooter Highguard will cease operations on March 12, just 45 days after its January 26 launch. The developer cited an inability to build a sustainable player base, with reports indicating Tencent withdrew funding due to poor commercial performance and low player retention. The game remains available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC.
With A Week Left To Live, Highguard Releases A Season's Worth Of Updates
Despite its impending shutdown on March 12, Highguard is receiving a final, substantial update titled "The Farewell Tour." This update introduces account progression with a skill tree, a new weapon, and a new playable Warden named Koldo. Wildlight Entertainment's skeleton crew developed this update as a labor of love for the remaining player base.
Highguard to end service on March 12
Wildlight Entertainment announced that its free-to-play shooter Highguard will cease operations on March 12, just 45 days after its launch on January 26 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X. Despite a significant player base at launch, the developer cited an inability to build a sustainable community. A final update adding new content is planned before the shutdown.
