Highguard Developers Address Unexpected Criticism Yet Remain Confident in Their Game

Highguard Developers Address Backlash Following Game Reveal

The development team behind Highguard expressed surprise at the immediate criticism following its unexpected announcement at The Game Awards. Despite this initial backlash, they maintain confidence in the shooter’s potential to thrive in a highly competitive gaming landscape, driven by what they believe to be its distinctive features.

Unexpected Reactions and Initial Excitement

During a discussion, McCord, a key figure in the development team, admitted that they had not anticipated the polarized reactions to the trailer.“We were very excited that night, ” he noted, recalling the celebratory atmosphere at the afterparty.“We were just thrilled to finally share the game with everyone.”This enthusiasm, however, did not fully prepare them for the scrutiny the game would face.

Considering a Shadow Launch

The team had contemplated adopting a shadow launch strategy, similar to that employed by Apex Legends, which allowed for a sudden release without prior marketing. However, McCord pointed out that this approach was unrealistic for a new studio lacking significant visibility.“The problem is that no one knows who we are, ”he emphasized, indicating their need for a more strategic reveal.

Securing the final trailer slot at The Game Awards proved to be a critical moment for the team.“The most important thing for us as a live service game is to get eyeballs on your game, ” McCord stated, underscoring the importance of visibility in the current gaming market.

Navigating a Saturated Genre

As the hero shooter genre has seen its share of high-profile failures, including notable titles like Concord, McCord acknowledged the looming concern of market saturation.“People will always ask, why should I care about this game? And you need to have an answer to that, ” he asserted, highlighting the importance of offering something unique.

Evolution of Highguard’s Concept

Interestingly, McCord clarified that the studio did not initially set out to create a conventional hero shooter. The addition of unique heroes occurred later in the development process, as they were recognized to enhance gameplay.“Heroes were introduced because they made the game better, ”he explained, suggesting a focus on gameplay dynamics rather than genre norms.

Highguard Wardens — Wildlight Entertainment

While Apex Legends serves as an inspiration, Highguard differentiates itself with a distinct flavor.

Confidence in Highguard’s Unique Identity

Lead game designer Carlos Pineda reinforced the team’s collective belief in their game’s unique identity, particularly in light of industry setbacks faced by competitors.“We always came back to the fact that we had a game that you couldn’t find anywhere else, ” he acknowledged.

Although early development posed challenges in defining Highguard’s essence, McCord noted the value of iterative design.“For the first few years, we were wondering, what is this game? Then we simplified it and simplified it, ” he recounted, illustrating their commitment to clarity in the user experience.

Embracing Creativity Amidst Volatility

Despite the unpredictable nature of the shooter genre, McCord believes there remains ample room for creativity, provided that game developers steer clear of rehashing concepts that have already been extensively explored.“You just can’t go make a game that’s been made before, ”he advised, reflecting on the necessity for innovation in game design.

Highguard is currently available for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, and operates on a free-to-play model.

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