The studio behind Highguard has reportedly laid off a majority of its development team, with Wildlight confirming staffing reductions after former developers shared news of widespread cuts.
While the company has not officially canceled Highguard, the layoffs come at a time when the game’s player activity has dropped significantly from its launch peak. The combination of reduced staff and declining daily active users raises questions about the project’s long-term direction.
What Happened at Wildlight?
Reports surfaced from former employees stating that most of the Highguard team had been let go. Wildlight later confirmed that cuts were made but did not publicly disclose exact numbers.
Although the studio has not announced a shutdown, layoffs of this scale typically signal one of the following:
- A major restructuring of development scope
- A shift in post-launch support strategy
- A reduction in live-service ambitions
- A reevaluation of long-term viability
Without a detailed roadmap update, the full impact remains unclear.
Highguard’s Player Numbers Tell a Larger Story
Public Steam tracking data provides important context.
At launch, Highguard reached an all-time peak of 97,249 concurrent players. However, current figures show:
- Around 1,250 players active at the time of reporting
- A 24-hour peak of 3,580 players
- A sharp downward trend in the weeks following release
A post-launch drop is normal for multiplayer games. Most titles experience an initial surge before stabilizing. What stands out here is the speed and scale of the decline.
Going from nearly 100,000 concurrent players to low four-digit activity within weeks represents a contraction of more than 95 percent from peak engagement.
Daily active user trends indicate that after the initial release window, retention did not hold at the levels typically required to sustain aggressive live-service development.
Why Daily Active Users Matter
In modern multiplayer development, daily active users are one of the most important performance metrics. High peak numbers generate attention, but sustained player engagement determines:
- Content cadence
- Monetization potential
- Server investment
- Competitive scene viability
- Long-term support staffing
If retention drops faster than expected, studios often respond by scaling back development resources.
Wildlight has not publicly tied the layoffs directly to player numbers. However, the timing aligns closely with the observed contraction in activity.
Is Highguard Canceled?
At this time, Highguard has not been officially canceled.
However, significant team reductions often indicate that a project will either:
- Continue under a much smaller live-support model
- Shift into maintenance mode
- Be paused for reevaluation
Until Wildlight provides further clarification, the game’s future remains uncertain.
Industry Context
Highguard’s situation is not occurring in isolation. The games industry has seen widespread layoffs over the past year as studios reassess growth expectations set during earlier expansion periods.
Live-service multiplayer games face particular pressure. Development costs are high and retention metrics must justify ongoing investment.
Highguard’s trajectory illustrates how quickly launch momentum can shift in today’s market.
Final Thoughts
The layoffs affecting most of the Highguard team arrive during a period of significant player contraction. With concurrent activity now far below its launch peak, Wildlight appears to be adjusting its investment strategy.
Highguard is not officially dead. But with staffing reduced and engagement sharply down, the project enters an uncertain phase.
The next public update from Wildlight will determine whether Highguard stabilizes under a leaner team or transitions into a slower, lower-support model.
Highguard Layoffs Frequently Aasked Questions
Was most of the Highguard team laid off?
Reports from former developers indicate that a majority of the team was affected. Wildlight has confirmed staffing reductions.
How many players does Highguard currently have?
Recent Steam data shows around 1,250 concurrent players at the time of reporting, with a 24-hour peak of approximately 3,580.
What was Highguard’s peak player count?
Highguard reached an all-time concurrent peak of 97,249 players shortly after launch.
Is Highguard canceled?
No official cancellation has been announced.
Why do player numbers matter?
Daily active users directly impact a multiplayer game’s ability to sustain content updates, staffing and long-term support.
Will Highguard continue receiving updates?
Wildlight has not clarified its post-layoff roadmap. Further communication from the studio will determine future support plans.
