Highguard, the first project from Wildlight Entertainment, now faces steep challenges barely past its unveiling. Eighty percent fewer players appear across Steam and console platforms compared to launch numbers. This multiplayer shooter arrived without warning during The Game Awards 2025, positioned as a closing highlight. Initial interest did not translate into lasting engagement despite broad exposure early on. Though most games see reduced traffic after release week ends, such a sharp fall hints at deeper issues beneath surface appeal. Retention seems fragile when measured against similar titles competing for attention today.
What stands out is how timing shaped perception. Positioned last during The Game Awards, Highguard faced scrutiny before players even saw gameplay. That spot, often reserved for blockbusters, drew sharp parallels to Concord – a title many viewed as a misstep. Rather than curiosity, the response leaned toward doubt. A debut on such a stage meant comparisons emerged faster than clarity. New studios rarely escape close inspection under those conditions. Identity became hard to define when early talk centered on genre fatigue. Skepticism took root not because of flaws shown, but due to context alone. First impressions formed well before launch. Assumptions filled gaps where information should have been. Being linked to past disappointments proved difficult to shake. Public sentiment hardened while development continued behind closed doors. Much of the challenge stemmed not from what was presented – but where and when.
Although numbers paint a bleak picture, calling the endeavor an outright collapse seems too hasty. Comprised largely of seasoned professionals, Wildlight Entertainment carries weight through its connections across the sector – yet another reason updates on gameplay tweaks are being taken seriously. Titles released in recent years show initial missteps need not define long-term reception; examples include games once written off but later revived by persistent development. What unfolds during the next few weeks matters more than past setbacks – the debut season patch represents both a test and a chance. Technical flaws combined with sparse features have frustrated users; correcting these now becomes central to any shift in perception.
Should momentum stall, Highguard’s future dims. Recovery depends not on slogans but steady progress. What follows will test whether trust can regrow after early promises fell short. Without visible evolution, retreat appears likely. Fewer hands remain on the wheel now. Progress hinges on choices made in silence, away from spotlight. A stumble here could echo longer than intended. The path ahead allows little room for delay. Stability emerges only when actions outweigh announcements. For some, return seems possible – on their terms. Moments like these reshape studios more than launch dates ever did.
Source: Steam DB
