Highguard Developer Cuts Jobs Just Weeks After Launch

The studio behind the multiplayer shooter that took center stage at The Game Awards has dismissed several employees merely two weeks following its debut.

Highguard made its first appearance during the prestigious event in December, showcased in a prominent slot typically reserved for the most anticipated upcoming titles.

Although the game was developed by a team of industry experts with experience on successful franchises like Call of Duty, Apex Legends, and Titanfall, it has struggled to maintain a player base since its launch in January.

Wildlight Entertainment, the developer behind Highguard, released a statement acknowledging the tough choice to let go of a number of team members.

The game’s unveiling at The Game Awards did not generate the expected excitement, leaving many fans puzzled about its significant placement in the event.

Viewers voiced their concerns that the trailer failed to clarify the game’s mechanics and what set it apart in a competitive multiplayer landscape.

Criticism has also been directed at Highguard’s marketing efforts leading up to its release, which came after a prolonged period of silence and with little notice.

Upon its release for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox on January 26, early reviews from gaming press were largely positive, highlighting the game’s distinctive approach to the genre.

Initially, the game managed to attract nearly 100,000 players on PC and about 380,000 viewers on Twitch, as reported by a data-tracking site.

However, those figures have seen a drastic decline, with only around 3,600 concurrent users on PC at the time the layoffs were made public.

Despite this, Highguard has maintained a dedicated core of players, and the developers previously mentioned that they have a full year of updates planned.

Challenges faced by Highguard have been compounded by negative feedback following its premiere and the limited promotion leading up to its launch.

Geoff Keighley, organizer of The Game Awards, remarked in a post that the outcome is “unfortunate, brutal, and sad for a game I enjoyed during early play tests.”

Many online commentators have drawn parallels between Highguard and Concord, a multiplayer shooter from Sony that was removed from sale just weeks after its own release.

Both titles aimed to capture the interest of players who typically gravitate toward established competitors like Apex Legends and Overwatch, which recently underwent a significant reboot.

Nevertheless, Wildlight has expressed its commitment to continue developing Highguard with a core team dedicated to innovating and enhancing the game.

In their statement, they conveyed pride in the talent and product the team has produced collectively.

They also expressed gratitude to players who have tried the game and those who remain part of the community.

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