Highguard Players Receive Automatic Refunds as Developer Plans Shutdown

Refunds Issued to Highguard Players Following Game Shutdown

In a surprising turn of events, Sony has begun processing automatic refunds for players of the game Highguard who made in-game purchases prior to its shutdown. This decision comes just weeks after the game was launched on January 26, where it initially garnered significant attention, peaking at nearly 100, 000 concurrent players on Steam.

Reports from players have emerged on Reddit indicating that many users are receiving refunds without having to submit formal requests. One Redditor commented, “I honestly didn’t care for a refund. I enjoyed the game and enjoyed supporting it, but if you were looking for a refund, they are sending them out.” This suggests that while some players may not have sought a refund, the automatic process is nonetheless appreciated by many.

Highguard sent out refunds. by u/motorcityquan in HighGuardgame

The Rise and Fall of Highguard

Despite its initial success, Highguard experienced a rapid decline in player engagement shortly after launch. Game developer Wildlight attempted to improve the gameplay experience in response to critical feedback, even introducing a new 5v5 mode to replace the less popular 3v3 format. However, these adjustments were not enough to sustain player interest, leading to significant layoffs within the studio and the subsequent announcement of the game’s closure, effective March 12.

It’s noteworthy that the refunds are primarily being reported by PlayStation users, with no similar announcements for players on other platforms such as Steam or Xbox. A player on another platform stated, “Sony just refunded me for currency I bought when #Highguard was playable. I am actually surprised! I didn’t even request it.” This indicates that the refund initiative may be exclusive to the PlayStation community.

Sony just refunded me for currency I bought when #Highguard was playable. I am actually surprised! I didn’t even request it.#PlayStation #Sony

— Kahsmoe (@kahsmoekramer.bsky.social) 2026-03-17T20:38:15.051Z

Implications for Wildlight Entertainment

The future of Wildlight Entertainment appears uncertain, especially following the deletion of their LinkedIn page and the disappearance of their official website. This raises concerns about the studio’s viability in the current gaming landscape. Chad Grenier, who co-founded the studio, has indicated on his LinkedIn profile that he will no longer be with Wildlight as of March 2026.

This situation has drawn parallels to another recent live-service title, Concord, also backed by PlayStation, which faced similar timing and player engagement issues, resulting in its own shutdown. The fate of both games serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges within the rapidly evolving game industry.

Source & Images