Highguard Shutting Down March 12 After Short-Lived Launch

Highguard will permanently shut down on March 12, marking a swift end for the free-to-play multiplayer siege shooter developed by Wildlight Entertainment.

According to Game Informer, the studio confirmed the closure after struggling to maintain a stable player base. The game launched on January 26, meaning it will go offline in less than two months.

Player interest dropped after the early surge

Wildlight said more than 2 million players tried Highguard at launch. However, engagement declined quickly, preventing the team from building a sustainable live-service ecosystem.

The game faced mixed reactions following its reveal at The Game Awards 2025. Some players praised its concept, while others criticized its timing in an already crowded live-service market.

Layoffs cast doubt on long-term plans

Shortly after release, Wildlight laid off most of its staff. Reports indicate fewer than 20 employees remain at the studio.

Before launch, the developer had outlined a year-long content roadmap. Those plans became uncertain once layoffs began and player numbers dropped.

Wildlight will keep servers online until March 12. A final update will arrive before shutdown, introducing a new Warden, a new weapon, skill trees, and account level progression.

Studio’s future remains unclear

Wildlight did not share details about its long-term future. The studio was founded by former Respawn Entertainment developers who previously worked on Apex Legends and Titanfall.

Highguard received generally decent reviews, but it lacked the refinement needed to compete with more established titles in the genre. Its rapid shutdown echoes the fate of Concord, another live-service shooter that closed shortly after release.

The situation highlights how difficult it has become to launch and sustain new multiplayer live-service titles in today’s competitive market.

Meanwhile, Marathon has surpassed 143,000 players during its Server Slam test event, signaling strong early interest ahead of release.