In a surprising turn of events, Wildlight Entertainment, the studio behind the recently launched multiplayer shooter Highguard, has announced significant layoffs just two weeks following the game’s release. This news comes on the heels of a mixed reception for the game, which was showcased prominently at The Game Awards last December.
The Highguard Rollercoaster
Highguard, crafted by a team of seasoned developers with experience on blockbuster titles such as Call of Duty and Apex Legends, was heralded as an exciting new entry into the competitive multiplayer landscape. However, despite high expectations, the free-to-play title has struggled to keep players engaged since its debut on 26 January.
The game premiered at The Game Awards, a spot usually reserved for major upcoming titles, but the reaction was lukewarm. Many fans expressed confusion over the game’s mechanics and uniqueness, citing that the initial trailer did little to clarify how it differentiated itself from other offerings in the saturated multiplayer market.
Player Engagement Dwindles
Following its launch, Highguard initially attracted around 100,000 players on PC and garnered 380,000 viewers on Twitch, according to SteamDB. However, these figures have plummeted substantially, with concurrent players on PC dropping to just 3,600 on the day layoffs were confirmed. This sharp decline indicates that while there was initial interest, sustaining that player base has proven to be a formidable challenge.
Wildlight Entertainment acknowledged the difficult decision to let go of several team members, stating, “We’ve made an incredibly difficult decision to part ways with a number of our team members.” Despite this setback, the studio remains optimistic, pledging to continue supporting the game with a dedicated group of developers and a year’s worth of updates already planned.
Comparisons to Other Flops
Critics have drawn comparisons between Highguard and Concord, another multiplayer shooter that was swiftly pulled from sale by Sony just weeks after its own release. Both games aimed to capture the hero shooter genre but faced significant backlash from players and critics alike, particularly in their marketing and execution.
Geoff Keighley, organiser of The Game Awards, shared his disappointment regarding Highguard’s situation, describing it as “an unfortunate, brutal and sad outcome for a game I enjoyed in early play tests.” This sentiment reflects a broader concern within the gaming community about the viability of new titles in an era dominated by established giants like Apex Legends and Overwatch.
Commitment to Improvement
Despite the challenges, Wildlight Entertainment has expressed gratitude to players who have engaged with Highguard. In their statement, they highlighted the talent and dedication of their team, saying, “We’re proud of the team, talent, and the product we’ve created together. We’re also grateful for players who gave the game a shot and those who continue to be a part of our community.”
The studio’s commitment to refining and enhancing the game indicates a determination to turn things around and recapture the interest of both current and potential players.
Why it Matters
The situation surrounding Highguard underscores the volatile nature of the gaming industry, where even titles developed by seasoned teams can falter shortly after launch. As developers strive to create innovative experiences, the need for effective marketing and community engagement becomes increasingly crucial. Wildlight’s story serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by emerging titles in a competitive landscape, highlighting the importance of player retention strategies and clear communication from developers. For gamers, it’s a call to support titles that show promise, while for developers, it’s a lesson in the necessity of robust launch strategies and community interaction.
