Designer claims ‘most’ of Highguard’s dev team have been laid off, weeks after launch

February 12, 2026 - 07:03

The free-to-play hero shooter Highguard, which launched just weeks ago to considerable anticipation, is now facing a severe crisis. A designer associated with the project has claimed that "most" of the game's development team has been laid off, casting serious doubt on its future.

The title arrived with promises of dynamic, team-based combat but struggled to retain a stable player base after its initial surge. While official numbers are not confirmed, public player count data on various platforms suggests a steep and rapid decline in active users since its debut. This drop in engagement is believed to be the direct catalyst for the drastic reported cuts to the development staff.

These layoffs, if accurate, raise immediate questions about the game's ongoing support, including planned content updates, seasonal features, and essential bug fixes. The community is left in a state of uncertainty, with many expressing concern over the viability of the live-service model promised at launch. The reported downsizing paints a stark picture of the challenges facing new multiplayer titles in a saturated market, where maintaining player interest from day one is critical for survival. No official statement has yet been released regarding the team's status or the game's roadmap moving forward.