New Report Reveals Tencent as Secret Backer of Highguard’s Funding

Highguard’s launch was anything but smooth, and now we have insight into its funding sources. While the developer, Wildlight Entertainment, has claimed the game was “fully funded,” it turns out that a significant portion of that funding came from Tencent, the giant in the gaming industry. According to sources who spoke with a journalist, Tencent emerged as the primary financial supporter for the game.

As the largest video game company globally, Tencent boasts a vast investment portfolio that includes popular titles like PUBG Mobile and League of Legends, along with stakes in various international gaming firms such as Epic Games and Ubisoft. Reports suggest that Tencent’s TiMi studio group played a crucial role in financing Highguard’s development. The reasons behind the lack of transparency regarding this partnership remain unclear, and while the exact amount contributed by TiMi is not known, it is believed to be substantial.

Highguard was first revealed through a trailer during the finale of The Game Awards in 2025, a slot that Wildlight claims was provided for free by the event’s host, Geoff Keighley, who expressed enthusiasm for the game after personally playtesting it. Notably, Tencent’s senior vice president, Steven Ma, is part of The Game Awards’ advisory board.

Despite the lack of public acknowledgment from either Wildlight or Tencent about their partnership, the production costs for Highguard are likely significant. The game launched with ambitious plans for future seasons and beautifully animated lore cinematics, aiming to deliver ongoing updates even amid a largely negative player reception. Wildlight operates out of two locations, one in Los Angeles and another in Seattle. Before recent layoffs reduced the team to a small group of developers, the studio employed around 100 people, many of whom were former developers from Respawn Entertainment. It’s uncertain whether Tencent influenced the decision to lay off so many staff shortly after the game’s release. Additionally, Highguard’s official website seems to have gone offline recently.

Wildlight Entertainment has not provided any comments regarding these developments.