Highguard's Real Problem? It's Too Competitive

Let's revisit Highguard, a game that certainly stirred up the scene in early 2026, unfortunately not for its merits. As you may recall, developer Wildlight Entertainment was not entirely prepared for the launch of the free-to-play shooter: upon release, their work received a lot of criticism because it was still in rough condition, something we couldn't help but point out in our review.

From negative reception to difficulties, the step was very short: in less than a month, Wildlight Entertainment was forced to lay off a large part of its staff and the official website went offline (but is now regularly operational again). Today, Highguard is continuing its run and the developer is trying to fix the situation, assuming lost time can be recovered. 

Highguard: When Competition Becomes a Problem

One of the game's former developers also focused on Highguard's critical issues, providing us with a different perspective on the matter. Among the professionals recently laid off by Wildlight is level designer Alex Graner, who has a clear idea of what isn't working in the shooter. Speaking to Quad Damage Podcast, Graner points to an excessive propensity for competition as Highguard's original sin.

The game's development evolved over time, exploring new frontiers, but at a certain point, it began to lean towards the more competitive side. This tendency became concerning for Graner when Wildlight decided to focus on 3v3, because it's a mode that requires a lot of communication and teamwork, thus leaving little room for casual users. But this wasn't the only barrier to entry for Highguard.

The fact that Highguard is so competitive constitutes a further disincentive: this aspect can be a merit when the user decides to invest their time, but it becomes a flaw when they need to be attracted. A game with many rules and many factors to consider is indeed much less immediate, and therefore less accessible to those unfamiliar with it, compared to less competitive experiences (Apex Legends is given as an example).