Highguard Developers Go Radio Silent as Launch Date Approaches, Did Not Pay for Game Awards Shout Out
Highguard, the free-to-play hero shooter set to launch on January 26, faces growing questions from gamers as developer Wildlight Entertainment maintains total silence since its reveal at The Game Awards 2025. The game’s debut in the show’s prime closing slot sparked backlash, and recent reports confirm the studio didn’t shell out for that placement. This article breaks down the situation, from the trailer’s poor reception to what the lack of updates might mean for the title’s future.
Here’s the TL;DR...
Highguard is a free-to-play PvP raid shooter blending high-fantasy magic with fast-paced first-person action, developed by Wildlight Entertainment, a team of ex-Respawn devs from Titanfall and Apex Legends.
Revealed as the final announcement at The Game Awards on December 11, 2025, the trailer drew heavy criticism for generic visuals and gameplay, earning comparisons to failed titles like Concord.
Developers have posted nothing across social channels, their website, or employee profiles since the reveal, despite launch being just days away.
Reports indicate Wildlight didn’t pay for the high-profile Game Awards slot; it was a decision by the show’s organizers.
With no betas, character breakdowns, or marketing push, speculation mounts that the game could delay or flop on arrival.
What Exactly Is Highguard?
Highguard combines elements of hero shooters with raid-style PvP, where players wield magical abilities in fantasy settings alongside gunplay. The debut trailer showed characters casting spells and firing weapons in team-based battles. It’s positioned as a live-service title, meaning ongoing updates and monetization through in-game purchases.
Wildlight Entertainment leads development. The studio, founded by veterans from Respawn Entertainment, includes talent behind Titanfall and Apex Legends. Their official site lists 103 employees, but none have shared game details publicly since December.
The game targets PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, with cross-play support implied but not detailed. Pre-launch wishlisting is available on Steam and console stores, though engagement remains low.
How Did Highguard End Up Closing The Game Awards?
The Game Awards 2025 wrapped with Highguard‘s reveal trailer on December 11. Host Geoff Keighley teased it as from “the creators of Titanfall and Apex Legends,” building hype for a potential spiritual successor. Instead, viewers saw a hero shooter that many called underwhelming.
Placement as the “one more thing” announcement traditionally goes to major reveals, like Monster Hunter Wilds in 2023 or Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet in 2024. Highguard‘s slot surprised audiences, leading to assumptions of a hefty payment—rumors pegged it at seven figures.
Did Highguard Developers Pay for That Prime Spot?
No, Wildlight did not pay for the finale position at The Game Awards. Journalist Paul Tassi reported it was simply the show’s choice to place it there, not a purchased ad slot. This came amid backlash, with some theorizing Keighley favored the game personally or filled a last-minute gap.
Insider Gaming echoed this, noting the reveal’s confusion and how it fueled negative buzz. Wildlight has not commented on the report.
The decision amplified criticism. Viewers expected a blockbuster, but Highguard‘s trailer landed flat, with YouTube uploads showing like-to-dislike ratios around 1:10.
Why Have Highguard Developers Gone Radio Silent?
Since December 11, Wildlight‘s channels have stayed dormant. The Twitter account @PlayHighguard, with about 6,200 followers, last posted the trailer. YouTube holds only that video and a Game Awards clip, totaling roughly 1,400 subscribers.
The website, playhighguard.com, offers a countdown, wishlist links, and trailer buttons—but no new info. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram profiles are equally quiet, with the studio’s sole post being a tribute to Respawn co-founder Vince Zampella.
This hush extends to employees; none have shared updates on personal accounts. With launch under two weeks away as of mid-January, the absence of betas or previews stands out.
What Has Been the Reception to Highguard’s Trailer?
Feedback hit hard and fast. Gamers labeled it “Concord 2,” referencing Sony‘s short-lived hero shooter that shut down after poor sales. Complaints focused on dated graphics, uninspired character designs, and overused tropes.
On Reddit and X, threads buzzed with disappointment. One r/PS5 post called the reveal a “disaster,” with users noting negative live reactions. YouTube comments echoed this, predicting a quick shutdown.
Despite the team’s pedigree, the trailer didn’t rank in The Game Awards‘ top 10 views. Some defend the silence as strategic, akin to Apex Legends‘ surprise launch, but the announced date makes that unlikely.
Could Highguard’s Launch Be Delayed?
No official word on delays, but the quiet fuels speculation. Forbes‘ Paul Tassi noted the oddity of zero marketing so close to release, even over holidays. If pushed back, it would mark another twist in this saga.
Playtests reportedly went poorly, per YouTube analyses, adding to concerns. Without updates, players can’t gauge fixes or improvements.
Industry watchers point to past flops like Anthem, where hype mismatched delivery. Highguard risks similar fate if it launches unpolished.
How Are Gamers Reacting to the Silence?
Social media teems with theories. X user Jake Lucky highlighted the irony of a big reveal followed by nothing, amassing thousands of likes. Others, like DansGaming, joked about blown budgets.
Forums like ResetEra debate mismanagement, suggesting a shadow drop might have worked better without the date. Optimists hope for a strong debut, but pessimism dominates.
One Instagram reel argued silence lets gameplay speak, but most predict dead-on-arrival status.
What Could This Mean for Wildlight Entertainment?
A rocky launch could hurt the studio’s rep, given their Respawn roots. Success hinges on core gameplay, but without visibility, building a player base proves tough.
Live-service games thrive on community; silence starves that. If Highguard underperforms, it joins a list of hero shooters that burned bright then faded.
The team might break silence soon—perhaps with a gameplay deep dive. Until then, uncertainty lingers.
Highguard‘s path underscores gaming’s volatile nature, where even pedigreed teams face scrutiny in a crowded market. As launch day hits, the real test begins: can solid mechanics overcome the pre-release drama? Gamers will decide, but breaking the silence sooner might have helped. For now, the countdown ticks on without a whisper from the devs.
Hat Tips
Forbes, “The ‘Highguard’ Mystery: Two Weeks To Launch And Complete Silence” by Paul Tassi, January 12, 2026
TheGamer, “It’s Not Just Highguard That Was A Disappointing Final Announcement At The Game Awards”, January 9, 2026
80 Level, “The Game Awards 2025’s Headliner Remains Radio Silent”, January 7, 2026
GameRant, “Highguard Was the ‘One Last Thing’ Announcement at The Game Awards, and It Apparently Didn’t Even Pay for the Spot”, January 2026
Insider Gaming, “Highguard Devs Didn’t Pay for The Game Awards Finale Spot”, January 2026
Reddit r/PS5, “‘Highguard’ Is MIA Since The Game Awards, Despite Its Imminent Release”, January 2026
X post by @JakeSucky, January 6, 2026
X post by @Dansgaming, January 12, 2026
Article Compiled and Edited by Derek Gibbs on January 19, 2026 for Clownfish TV D/REZZED