Wildlight Entertainment Faces Layoffs Just Two Weeks Post-Launch of Highguard

Developer Wildlight Entertainment has recently undergone layoffs, first noted in a series of LinkedIn posts before the studio confirmed the news in a statement on X. Their debut title, Highguard, launched on January 26, just a couple of weeks ago. The layoffs at Wildlight seem to affect various roles, including gameplay engineers, software engineers, UI designers, and others. Level designer Alex Garner mentioned on LinkedIn that “most of the team at Wildlight” was let go. The exact number of affected employees has not been verified. When contacted for further details, Wildlight representatives pointed to the statement on X. “Today we made an incredibly difficult decision to part ways with a number of our team members while keeping a core group of developers to continue innovating on and supporting the game,” the statement reads. “We’re proud of the team, talent, and the product we’ve created together. We’re also grateful for players who gave the game a shot, and those who continue to be a part of our community.” Highguard was notably revealed during the 2025 Game Awards in December, where it took the spotlight in the “one more thing” segment. While the trailer showcased impressive visuals, it left many questions about the game’s mechanics and overall experience unanswered, leading to speculation that wasn’t entirely favorable. A late-January press preview provided more insights into the game and its development, revealing that Game Awards host Geoff Keighley had a hand in encouraging the team to debut at the event, as they had initially planned a surprise launch. The initial critical reception was positive, but Highguard struggled to attract a substantial player base. Since its release, the studio has introduced a 5v5 mode, which received such a warm response from players that it was made a permanent feature. Recently, Highguard welcomed its first new playable character alongside an update that refined gameplay, suggesting that the game might be on the upswing. In a January conversation, studio head Chad Grenier stated that “it doesn’t matter” whether Highguard “gets a thousand people or a hundred million people.” The studio also indicated that it has a year of content planned for Highguard.