Highguard studio lays off 'most' of its team just weeks after the game went live
Source: Engadget
Layoffs
Wildlight Entertainment, the studio behind Highguard, has laid off many staff members. Level designer Alex Graner wrote in a LinkedIn post that the layoffs impacted “most of the team.” The company says it is keeping a “core group of developers to continue innovating on and supporting the game,” essentially a skeleton crew.
“Today we made an incredibly difficult decision to part ways with a number of our team members while keeping a core group of developers to continue innovating on and supporting the game.
We’re proud of the team, talent, and the product we’ve created together. We’re also grateful…”
— Wildlight Entertainment (@WildlightEnt) February 12, 2026
Game Background
Highguard is an arena shooter with an impressive pedigree; the team included many developers from Apex Legends and Titanfall. The title was first announced as a “one more thing” surprise during the 2025 Game Awards, receiving a lukewarm response from viewers hoping for something more exciting to close out the show.
The game launched at the end of January 2026, but the initial reception was also tepid. Wildlight proved quick to make adjustments based on player feedback, though such responsiveness is not always guaranteed.
Player Count and Impact
Despite the studio’s efforts, concurrent player numbers on Steam fell sharply—from around 100,000 shortly after launch to under 3,000, where they remain. This steep decline appears to have precipitated the massive layoffs just weeks after the game’s release. Wildlight expressed gratitude to the players who gave the game a chance and to those who continue to be part of the community.
This article originally appeared on Engadget: Highguard studio lays off ‘most’ of its team just weeks after the game went live.