Highguard to Shut Down Just 45 Days After Launch
Highguard, a new 3v3 raid shooter developed by Wildlight Entertainment and published by Tencent, is set to shut down on March 12, 2026, a mere 45 days after its launch on January 26, 2026. The game, which reached a peak of 97,249 players on Steam, struggled to maintain a sustainable player base, leading to its early demise.
Despite an initial surge in popularity, Highguard saw its player count dwindle significantly, with only around 400 regular concurrent players on Steam and at least double that number on PS5. At one point, the game boasted a total of 2 million players, but the excitement did not translate into long-term engagement.
Wildlight Entertainment announced the decision to shut down the game, stating, “Today we’re sharing difficult news. We have made the decision to permanently shut down Highguard on March 12.” The developers expressed their disappointment, noting, “Despite the passion and hard work of our team, we have not been able to build a sustainable player base to support the game long term.” This sentiment reflects the challenges many new games face in a competitive market.
The backlash against Highguard following its launch was notable, with some players voicing their frustrations online. Mohammad Alavi, a key figure in the game’s development, commented on the situation, saying, “Being the ire of the internet hate machine sucks, but at the same time, I try to just focus on making the best game I can and getting that game into people’s hands.” This highlights the pressures developers face in meeting player expectations.
In response to the impending shutdown, Wildlight Entertainment has announced a final patch for Highguard, aiming to address player concerns and provide a fitting farewell to the community. The patch is expected to roll out before the game’s closure, allowing players to experience any last updates or improvements.
As the shutdown date approaches, players and industry observers are left reflecting on the rapid rise and fall of Highguard. The game’s brief existence serves as a reminder of the volatile nature of the gaming industry, where even titles with significant initial interest can struggle to maintain momentum.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the specific reasons behind the game’s inability to retain players and whether any future projects from Wildlight Entertainment will emerge in light of this experience. The gaming community will be watching closely to see how the developers respond and what lessons they take away from this situation.