Highguard, a free-to-play hero shooter from Wildlight Entertainment, is approaching its Steam release under unusual circumstances. The game first appeared during the closing moments of The Game Awards, a slot traditionally reserved for major announcements. Instead of revealing a long-anticipated sequel or franchise return, the show ended with a trailer for an unknown multiplayer shooter. The reaction online was immediate and skeptical, and in the days that followed, Highguard became less defined by its gameplay and more by how its developers chose not to respond.
Unlike many modern multiplayer launches, Highguard has not followed the familiar cycle of extended marketing campaigns, public betas, or frequent developer updates. After the reveal, the studio largely went quiet, offering little more than a recent livestream announcement ahead of launch. In an industry shaped by constant engagement, that silence has become part of the story.
Community Reaction to the Game Awards Reveal
The Game Awards presentation placed Highguard in a difficult position from the start. Ending the show created expectations for a high-profile reveal, and viewers were quick to question why a brand-new hero shooter received that spotlight. Social media posts and videos framed the game as an unexpected “one more thing” announcement, and some users assumed the placement was paid for, even though the developer did not purchase the slot.
As the trailer circulated, criticism focused less on specific mechanics and more on the perception of hubris. Highguard entered a genre already crowded with live-service shooters, and the timing of its debut made it easy for audiences to dismiss it before learning what it actually offers.
A Marketing Approach That Breaks With Current Trends
Modern multiplayer games usually arrive with public playtests, early access periods, and long feedback loops designed to build trust. Highguard is doing the opposite. The studio has not hosted open betas and has shared few deep dives into its systems, characters, or long-term plans.
This stands in contrast to recent examples in the genre, where developers collect player feedback months before release and adjust accordingly. By choosing a direct launch instead, Highguard places more weight on its first impression. For players already cautious about new hero shooters, that choice has raised eyebrows, especially when trust in live-service models is already strained.
Developers Step Back From Online Engagement
Some members of the Highguard team did post publicly after the reveal, but the response they received quickly illustrated the risks of direct engagement. One developer later described being personally targeted with dozens of critical quote posts simply for sharing enthusiasm about the project.
Rather than escalating the situation, Wildlight Entertainment appears to have decided to minimize public interaction and avoid becoming part of ongoing online arguments. There has been no broader controversy around the game itself, only debate over its marketing and visibility. The team includes veterans from projects like Titanfall 2 and Apex Legends, making Highguard a continuation of familiar shooter design rather than an experimental shift tied to trends like web3 monetization.
How Expectations Around Developer Communication Have Changed
Highguard’s rollout reflects a broader tension in the industry. During the web 2.0 era, studios increasingly adopted open communication through social media, Discord, and Reddit AMAs. Players grew used to constant updates and immediate responses to feedback. Silence, once normal, now reads as avoidance.
In earlier generations, developers rarely interacted directly with audiences outside of magazines or conventions. Games released, players formed opinions, and discussion happened without official commentary. Today, that model is difficult to maintain, especially for multiplayer games that depend on community trust. Still, as online platforms become more hostile, some studios may decide that limited communication is safer than constant visibility.
Letting the Game Define Its Future
With Highguard launching on Steam soon, the conversation will shift from marketing strategy to actual gameplay. Once players have access, attention will move to how its hero design, shooting mechanics, progression systems, and live-service structure perform in practice.
The online backlash surrounding the Game Awards reveal may influence first impressions, but long-term reception will depend on whether Highguard offers something engaging in a competitive genre. In the end, the game’s success or failure will likely be determined less by how much it talked before launch and more by how well it plays once it is in players’ hands.
Make sure to check out our articles about top games to play in 2026:
Best Nintendo Switch Games for 2026
Best First-Person Shooters for 2026
Best PlayStation Indie Games for 2026
Best Multiplayer Games for 2026
Most Anticipated Games of 2026
Top Game Releases for January 2026
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Highguard?
Highguard is a free-to-play hero shooter developed by Wildlight Entertainment and launching on Steam. It features character-based combat in a multiplayer shooter format.
Why did Highguard get backlash after The Game Awards?
The game was revealed in the final slot of The Game Awards, which created expectations for a major announcement. Many viewers felt the placement was surprising for a new IP and reacted skeptically on social media.
Is Highguard having a beta or early access?
No public beta has been announced. Highguard is set to launch directly without large-scale public testing beforehand.
Why are the developers staying quiet online?
After the reveal, developers faced personal criticism on social media. The studio appears to have chosen to reduce engagement and let the game speak for itself rather than participate in ongoing online debates.
When does Highguard launch on Steam?
Highguard is scheduled to launch on Steam next week, giving players their first chance to judge the shooter based on gameplay rather than pre-release marketing.
