Just two weeks after its launch, the PvP raid shooter Highguard is facing significant upheaval. Developer Wildlight Entertainment has reportedly laid off the majority of its staff, casting a shadow over the game’s ambitious twelve-month roadmap. The news, first reported by developers on platforms like LinkedIn, signals a rapid and challenging turn for the fledgling title.
A Swift Shift in Fortunes
The layoffs impact multiple departments within Wildlight, including sound design, technical art, and game design. Alex Graner, a former level designer at the studio, publicly stated that “most” of the team had been let go. While Wildlight has confirmed the staff reductions, the company framed the move as a restructuring to maintain a “core group of developers” focused on continuing support and innovation for Highguard.
In a statement released on social media, Wildlight expressed pride in the team and the product they created, and gratitude towards players who have engaged with the game. “Today we made an incredibly difficult decision to part ways with a number of our team members while keeping a core group of developers to continue innovating on and supporting the game,” the statement read. “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.”
Despite the layoffs, Wildlight maintains that it is not abandoning Highguard or shutting down its servers. However, the reduction in personnel will inevitably impact the scope and timeline of the previously announced roadmap. The company acknowledged that the lack of resources will necessitate a scaling back of planned content.
A Novel Concept, A Difficult Launch
Highguard arrived on Steam with a unique premise. The game distinguishes itself from the crowded FPS market with its focus on “PvP raid shooter” gameplay. The core loop involves players barricading their bases, gathering resources, participating in a capture-the-flag style mini-game, and then either attacking or defending opposing bases. This structure, while innovative, appears to have struggled to resonate with a broad audience.
According to PC Gamer, Highguard’s lead designer, Mohammad Alavi, stated in a group interview, “We don’t need to have a large number of players to be successful. We are a small team.” However, even a small team requires a minimum player base to sustain operations. The layoffs suggest that Highguard failed to reach that critical threshold.
The Shadow of the Game Awards Reveal
The game’s launch was preceded by a notable appearance at The Game Awards, a showcase that generated both excitement and criticism. While some observers believe the Game Awards reveal may have contributed to negative perceptions, Wildlight Entertainment acknowledges that the core issues lie with the game’s execution. The studio recognizes that the gameplay loop, particularly the mid-game phase, failed to fully capture the interest of many FPS players.
As one PCGamesN article points out, Highguard did offer fresh ideas, but the execution fell short. The concept of base fortification, resource management, and the capture-the-flag element were promising, but the implementation lacked the polish and refinement needed to attract and retain a substantial player base.
Industry Implications and the Challenges of New Shooters
The rapid downturn for Highguard underscores the immense challenges facing new entrants in the competitive FPS market. Standing out from established franchises like Call of Duty, Counter-Strike, and Valorant requires not only a compelling concept but also flawless execution, robust marketing, and sustained community engagement.
The situation at Wildlight Entertainment also highlights the precarious financial position of many independent game developers. Even with innovative ideas and initial funding, a game’s success is far from guaranteed. The need to achieve profitability quickly, coupled with the high costs of development and marketing, creates a high-pressure environment where even minor missteps can have significant consequences.
The layoffs at Wildlight are a stark reminder of the risks inherent in game development, and the difficulty of building a sustainable business around a new IP in a saturated market. While a core team remains to support Highguard, the future of the game and the studio remains uncertain. The industry will be watching closely to see if Wildlight can navigate these challenges and deliver on its promise of continued innovation.
