Highguard Service Closure One Month Post-Launch

Highguard to End Service Just One Month After Launch

Highguard, a free-to-play shooter developed by Wildlight Entertainment, is set to permanently close its servers on March 12, 2026, just over a month post-launch. The announcement comes as a surprise to many, particularly because the game attracted more than 2 million players since its debut.

Developer’s Statement on the Closure

Wildlight Entertainment released a statement declaring, “We have made the decision to permanently shut down Highguard on March 12… Despite the passion and hard work of our team, we have not been able to build a sustainable player base to support the game long term.”The developers acknowledged the challenge of maintaining player interest and engagement, which ultimately led to this unfortunate decision.

https://t.co/2IuXxR5kff

— Highguard (@PlayHighguard) March 3, 2026

Game’s Launch and Reception

Highguard had a rocky entrance into the gaming market. Launched on January 26, 2026, following a spotlight at The Game Awards 2025, it garnered mixed reviews. Players quickly voiced their dissatisfaction through Steam, leading to a “Mostly Negative” rating despite a peak of approximately 97, 000 concurrent players at launch.

Challenges Faced by Wildlight Entertainment

Behind the scenes, Wildlight has faced significant challenges. Reports indicate that Tencent, the game’s financial backer, withdrew funding on February 11, triggering a wave of layoffs within the studio and leaving a reduced team tasked with supporting the game in its final weeks.

Final Update and Upcoming Features

In their farewell message, Wildlight confirmed that the game would receive one final update, which is expected to be rolled out “tonight or tomorrow morning.” This update will introduce a new Warden character, a fresh weapon, account level progression, and the addition of skill trees to enhance gameplay.

Last Chance to Experience Highguard

With the shutdown date approaching, players have less than nine days to experience Highguard before its servers go offline. For those interested in trying the game, now is the time to act.

For further details and updates, players can follow the official channels or check their final patch notes closer to the shutdown date.

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