Highguard, the struggling PvP shooter, has received a fresh dose of hope with a new content update from its developer, Wildlight. Fans were worried when the game’s website went offline, but Wildlight reassured everyone that these issues are not serious.
The latest update introduces several new features. Players can now enjoy an airship base, utilize a lockpick raid tool, and explore new items for sale, including a Mount called the Moonbruin, which resembles an owlbear, along with Iron Vigil-themed outfits. For more details, check out this link.
The timing of this update comes as concern grows over Highguard’s future. Issues like layoffs at Wildlight and the sudden website shutdown sparked fears that the game might soon come to an end. Despite these worries, a Wildlight staff member stated on Discord that the website issue is low priority and nothing to panic about. They confirmed that the team is focusing on delivering content and updates to improve the game.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first hiccup for Highguard. The game had a rocky start after it was promoted heavily during The Game Awards last December. Although it announced a release in January, many felt there were problems behind the scenes. Comments from former developers highlighted just how rocky things have been. “We were turned into a joke from minute one,” one former team member noted.
To put things in perspective, Highguard’s launch challenges reflect a broader trend in the gaming industry where some titles, despite strong lineage—like connections to well-known games such as Titanfall and Apex Legends—still struggle due to poor execution or lack of visibility before their release. A survey by the International Game Developers Association highlighted that only 36% of game developers felt their projects were adequately funded. This paints a picture of how tough the landscape can be for new games, illustrating the uphill battle Highguard faces.
As of now, it seems Wildlight is determined to pick up the pieces and make Highguard work. Their commitment to updating the game and addressing player feedback could be key to changing the narrative around it. Whether they’ll succeed remains to be seen, but their latest content update is a step in the right direction.
