Highguard Faces Uncertain Future Following Website Issues and Layoffs

The PvP raid shooter Highguard is navigating a turbulent period following website outages that sparked fears of an imminent shutdown. Developer Wildlight Entertainment has assured players that a new patch is in development, but concerns remain about the game’s long-term viability after recent staff layoffs.

Website Troubles and Community Concerns

Earlier this week, access to the official Highguard website, playhighguard.com, was unexpectedly cut off, displaying only a “site unavailable” message. This immediately raised alarms within the player base, many fearing the game would follow the fate of other recently shuttered titles like Concord.

Wildlight Entertainment addressed these concerns via Discord, with WL_Coronach, a Discord server admin and moderator, stating that the website would eventually be restored, though it is currently a “low priority” issue. The focus, according to the developer, is now on “delivering updates and content to improve” the game. The message indicated the website requires a transfer and simplification, but reputational damage has already been done.

Patch and Content Updates on the Horizon

Despite the website issues, Wildlight confirmed a new patch is in the works. WL_Coronach also mentioned a potential preview of the patch date would be shared with the community once finalized. This assurance comes after an early February content update demonstrated ongoing development efforts.

Layoffs Cast a Shadow

Yet, the positive news regarding the patch is tempered by recent layoffs at Wildlight Entertainment, impacting a significant portion of the studio’s staff. These layoffs have cast doubt on the future of both the studio and Highguard.

Initial Launch and Current Player Numbers

Highguard launched on January 26 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The game initially attracted over 97,000 concurrent players on Steam, but that number has since dropped to below 1,000 as of February 19, 2026, according to SteamDB. The game has received a wave of negative user reviews, impacting its online reputation.

Funding and Origins

Reports suggest that Chinese megacorporation Tencent quietly funded the development of Highguard, though the extent of their involvement remains unclear. The game was initially unveiled as a last-minute announcement at The Game Awards 2025, which led to initial confusion and concern among players.