Video game Highguard axed weeks after release

It comes after the free-to-play game was given top billing at The Game Awards in December.

Wildlight Entertainment announced that its hero shooter, Highguard, will permanently shut down on March 12, 2026, due to an unsustainable player base despite attracting over 2 million players since launch.

Developer Wildlight Entertainment announced the shutdown of Highguard on March 12, 2026, citing the inability to build a sustainable player base despite initial success and subsequent updates.

As Highguard approaches its shutdown, Wildlight Entertainment released a final update introducing new content, including a new character and progression systems, thanking the community for their support.

An opinion piece reflecting on the premature shutdown of Highguard, discussing the challenges faced by live-service games and the industry's tendency to discard titles without allowing them time to grow.

Wildlight Entertainment confirmed the shutdown of Highguard on March 12, 2026, citing the inability to maintain a sustainable player base despite initial success and subsequent layoffs.