Grab your snacks and get ready: Highguard is set to unveil its launch showcase next week after a 43-day silence since its unusual reveal at the Game Awards.

Geoff Keighley, the host of The Game Awards, has officially been upstaged by the marketing team behind Highguard, a new “PvP raid shooter” crafted by developers from Titanfall and Apex Legends. First unveiled at the conclusion of Keighley’s 2025 awards show, Highguard is set to have its launch showcase on Monday, January 26, coinciding with its release.

The official Highguard social media channels sprang to life today, 43 days after the surprise reveal at the Game Awards, announcing the upcoming showcase. “Join us for an in-depth look at Highguard straight from the studio, featuring a full gameplay deep dive, year one plans, and much more,” said the team at Wildlight Entertainment. The mention of year one plans indicates a clear vision for the game’s future.

For those who need a refresher, Highguard is a PvP shooter where teams of “Wardens” wield sci-fantasy weaponry to battle for control of the “Shieldbreaker,” aiming to infiltrate and demolish enemy bases to claim territory. The trailer highlights a strong focus on destructible environments, and that’s about all the details available without diving into PS5 trophies. These trophies hint at features like a raid mode, a revive system, Warden classes such as “Assault” and “Defensive,” overtime rules, weapons like the “BigRig LMG,” gear tiers reaching at least Legendary, and matches that can wrap up in as little as 10 minutes.

From the outset, Highguard has aimed to replicate the surprise drop strategy that worked wonders for Apex Legends, despite some leaks that may have dampened the excitement. The key difference this time is the six-week gap between reveal and release, allowing various online communities to voice their opinions, with some labeling it as “Concord 2” or an “Overwatch clone.”

A quick glance at the Steam discussion page reveals a chaotic mix of opinions, making it one of the wildest corners of the internet right now. It’s like staring into a solar eclipse. “When will we learn?” lament those weary of hero shooters, unable to grasp the demand for them. “Why the hate?” counter the optimists. “Please flop,” shout the anarchists. “Why not just make Titanfall 3?” questions a user oblivious to IP rights. “What if the game is fake?” ponder the utterly confused.

Cautious optimism for a new shooter from seasoned developers clashes with the fatigue surrounding live service games. Add in some classic doomerism mixed with exaggerated reactions, and you have a discussion that spirals quickly.

Personally, I usually judge books by their covers—it’s a surefire way to sift through mediocre fantasy novels in the dark fantasy section. However, I’m willing to make an exception for Highguard because I’m eager to see what it truly is. Finally, we’ll get to witness it in action, beyond just trailers, and perhaps even get our hands on it ourselves.