Just two weeks after launch, Highguard has already hit trouble. Developer Wildlight Entertainment confirmed layoffs on 11 February 2026. The free-to-play shooter only released on 26 January.
Several developers first shared the news on LinkedIn. Some said “most” of the team was affected, including senior staff. The studio later confirmed cuts but did not give numbers. A smaller core team will now continue support for the game.
Highguard’s fast launch, then a fast setback
Highguard came from developers who previously worked on Apex Legends and Titanfall 2. Expectations were high. But the reveal and launch confused many players. Marketing was quiet, and the game arrived without strong momentum.
Early player feedback was also mixed. Some matches felt slow. Reviews on Steam quickly turned negative. The studio added a 5v5 mode soon after release to improve pacing, but interest did not recover quickly.
This situation feels familiar. Many live service shooters launch, hoping to become the next big hit. When success does not come fast, teams often face cuts first.
There is still a chance for Highguard to improve. Other games have recovered after rough starts. But with fewer developers now, the road ahead for Wildlight Entertainment looks tougher than expected.
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