Key Takeaways
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- The Game Awards 2025 controversy surrounding Wildlight Entertainments Highguard was largely due to its unexpected announcement as the final reveal, with many viewers feeling misled and discontent.
- Highguard, a free-to-play raid shooter, initially focused on survival elements but shifted to a hero shooter format. Despite initial interest, player counts dwindled significantly after launch, reaching a low of 1,000 concurrent players on Steam by the first month.
- Tragically, two weeks after launch, Tencent withdrew funding from Wildlight Entertainment, leading to mass layoffs and the eventual shutdown of Highguard on March 12, 2026.
- Geoff Keighley, host of The Game Awards, faced criticism for controversial statements regarding Highguard, with some believing he harmed the game through his comments about its potential impact on gaming and predictions of apologies from players.
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Wildlight Entertainment’s Highguard faced considerable controversy even before its release. The negativity stemmed largely from its prominent reveal as the final announcement at the Game Awards 2025. Many viewers felt misled, as this coveted spot is typically reserved for major reveals. The backlash intensified following reports of the high costs publishers pay for trailer slots during the Game Awards, with some slots costing millions of euros. The perception of an indie studio’s new IP closing out the show fueled further discontent. Over two million players ultimately tried Highguard. In the weeks that followed, Game Awards host Geoff Keighley urged players to give Highguard a chance. Hours before its launch, he shared a meme suggesting players would apologize for their earlier criticisms once they experienced the game. Highguard, a free-to-play raid shooter developed by ex-Apex Legends and Call of Duty developers, initially focused on survival elements but shifted to a hero shooter format. Early playtesters found the game more enjoyable with voice chat, suggesting that Highguard’s intensity may have been off-putting to casual players lacking coordinated teams.
The game launched on January 26, 2026, after its Game Awards 2025 reveal—a change from Wildlight’s initial plan for a surprise launch similar to Apex Legends in 2019. Highguard reached a peak of nearly 100,000 players on Steam, but player counts quickly declined. SteamDB charts show that by the first weekend, the player base had dwindled to just over 15,000, and a month after launch, concurrent players on Steam barely reached 1,000. To address complaints about a lack of action, Wildlight Entertainment added a permanent 5v5 mode soon after launch and released subsequent updates that tweaked gameplay flow and introduced new Wardens and modes. Tragically, only two weeks after launch, Bloomberg reported that Wildlight laid off most of its team following Tencent’s withdrawal of funding. Highguard will officially shut down on March 12, 2026, due to Tencent’s withdrawal of crucial funding, which jeopardized the project’s long-term future weeks before the shutdown announcement. Only about 20 developers remain at Wildlight Entertainment after the layoffs. Before the shutdown, Wildlight Entertainment will release a final update featuring a new Warden, a new weapon, account-level progression, and skill trees, possibly as soon as tonight or tomorrow.
Geoff Keighley’s Controversial Statements and Highguard’s Closure Spark Social Media Outcry
The Game Awards announcement resulted in criticism of Keighley on social media. While some believe Highguard was unfairly targeted and is simply another game, others claim it was the victim of a smear campaign. Regardless, criticisms of the Game Awards announcement outweigh defenses of the situation. Keighley is accused of harming Highguard through comments suggesting gamers would love the game, such as “Highguard will revolutionize gaming,” or “Within 48 hours I’ll start accepting apologies.” These statements further fueled animosity toward both the Game Awards moment and the game itself—through no fault of the production team. As Highguard’s closure approaches, Geoff Keighley is preparing for his Summer Game Fest and the next Game Awards. Wildlight Entertainment’s future projects remain uncertain, but they may prove interesting to watch. (Image) [https://twitter.com/geoffkeighley/status/1597000024830601216](https://twitter.com/geoffkeighley/status/1597000024830601216) (Date: January 24, 2026)
In Case You Missed It
In an unexpected turn of events, Carlos Mendoza’s latest piece, “Highguard Shut Down Less Than a Month After Release”, published on March 3rd, delves into the sudden closure of Wildlight Entertainment’s hero shooter, Highguard. Despite its promising start with over two million players and Apex Legends-inspired hype, financial struggles and dwindling player numbers led to its demise less than a month after release. Meanwhile, Midway through our dive into the evolving landscape of hero shooters, Ahmed Hassan’s latest piece, “Jason Schreier Reveals the Story of Highguard’s Failure – Including Layoffs”, published just last month, uncovers the intriguing tale behind Wildlight Entertainment’s ambitious yet troubled project, Highguard. From its original survival-focused concept inspired by Rust to its eventual cancellation despite reaching impressive player numbers, Hassan sheds light on the strategic missteps and funding challenges that ultimately led to layoffs. But if you’re ready for some exciting news, Marcus Thompson has just dropped a bombshell with his March 3rd piece, “Capcom to Host New Spotlight Presentation on Thursday”. Mark your calendars for March 5th at 19h Brasilia time, as Capcom is set to unveil a plethora of upcoming releases in their brand-new Spotlight event. From Street Fighter 6 and Mega Man: Dual Override to Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection and Pragmata, this presentation promises to be the ultimate treat for gaming enthusiasts. Check out these articles here Highguard Shut Down Less Than a Month After Release , here Jason Schreier Reveals the Story of Highguard’s Failure – Including Layoffs, and here Capcom to Host New Spotlight Presentation on Thursday to stay up-to-date with the latest happenings in the gaming world.
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