Did the trailer for 'Highguard' leave you thinking, 'Wait, haven't I played this before?' You're not alone! When the upcoming PvP raid shooter 'Highguard' was first unveiled, many gamers felt a strong sense of déjà vu, drawing immediate parallels to popular titles like 'Overwatch' and the recently shuttered 'Concord.' But the team at indie studio Wildlight Entertainment, comprised of seasoned veterans from games like 'Apex Legends,' 'Titanfall,' and 'Call of Duty: Modern Warfare,' is ready to prove that 'Highguard' is more than just a familiar face. They assure us that once the game launches on Monday, the distinctions will become strikingly clear.
Wildlight co-founder and game director Chad Grenier enthusiastically shared at a recent press event, "I think we do have a very unique game that is unlike anything else out there on the market, and we’re really excited about it." He candidly admitted, "Our trailer didn’t highlight that well, and we’ll own that." However, he emphasized, "at the end of the day, we’re really excited just to get the game out on Monday and let it speak for itself, because I think that there is quite a bit there, as you’ve seen today, that is unexpected and new and refreshing. And there’s a lot of innovation in the game that wasn’t conveyed well in that one trailer."
Dusty Welch, Wildlight co-founder and CEO, echoed this sentiment, wishing the initial reaction had been more positive. Yet, he also noted a silver lining: "there’s a lot of awareness for the game and for people to show up on 1/26 and play it." This buzz, even if born from initial skepticism, is undeniably valuable.
So, what truly sets 'Highguard' apart from the crowd?
One of the most significant differences, as pointed out by Grenier, is the business model. "'Concord' specifically, they were not a free game," he stated. "So one thing that we’re hopeful for is that being a free game, people will show up and see that our game is actually locked on, and stick around. We can grow that player base over time." This free-to-play approach aims to lower the barrier to entry, encouraging more players to experience the game firsthand.
Furthermore, the core gameplay loop differs substantially. Instead of the prevalent 5v5 team structure seen in 'Overwatch 2' and 'Concord,' 'Highguard' opts for three-person teams. "It’s 3v3, so it doesn’t take hundreds of people to start a match, which is in our favor," Grenier explained. This smaller team size can lead to more intimate and tactical engagements.
Launching on Monday at 10 am PT across PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5 with full cross-play, 'Highguard' promises "a new competitive structure that blends siege warfare and territory control in an evolving match where power levels escalate until only one base is left standing." Imagine stepping into the shoes of Wardens, arcane gunslingers tasked with conquering a mythical continent where magic, gunfire, and siege tactics collide. Your team of three will select a unique base, fortify its defenses, and then venture out into vast, untamed territories to gather resources, upgrade your equipment, and clash with rival Warden crews.
But here's where it gets intense: As magical storms gather, teams will vie for control of the Shieldbreaker, a potent sword essential for breaching enemy fortifications. Wielding this sword to reach the opposing base initiates a full-scale raid, demanding that teams attack, defend, adapt, and continuously power up as the match progresses. It's a dynamic dance of offense and defense, with escalating stakes.
While the 'Overwatch' franchise is nearing its decade-long run, 'Concord' unfortunately faded into obscurity just weeks after its August 2024 debut due to poor sales and a dwindling player base. The 'Highguard' developers are clearly aiming for the longevity of the former, not the fate of the latter.
"What we’re confident in is that we’re not going anywhere. We’re not going away," Welch asserted. "We as a team have a lot of experience in building franchises that have staying power. And this one, as Chad alluded to, we have a year’s worth of content that’s near completion that is going to engage an audience for quite a bit of time." This commitment to ongoing content suggests a long-term vision for the game.
At launch, 'Highguard' will feature five large-scale maps, six distinct bases, eight Wardens, three mount types, ten weapons, three raid tools, eleven weapon and raid-tool mods, and a plethora of lootable items. These elements, meticulously chosen by Wildlight, represent the initial offering, with much more on the horizon.
Lead designer Mohammad Alavi elaborated on the development process: "We just prototype a ton. We’ve got eight characters at launch and there’s 30 on the cutting room floor." He explained that the selection process involves rigorous iteration and playtesting, allowing the best and most engaging concepts to emerge naturally. "There’s no magic to it, it really is just hard work and just playing, playing, playing, playing, until you find what works."
The live service will be structured through "episodes," each lasting approximately two months and divided into two parts. Wildlight has pledged to release new core gameplay content every month throughout 2026 (with the first update arriving in just two weeks). This content, including maps, bases, modes, Wardens, weapons, mounts, raid tools, and additional loot, will always be free.
And this is the part most people miss: Wildlight is also setting a clear standard for their in-game store. "We wanted to build a store that we want to see ourselves as players," stated the game writer and vice president of product and publishing. Their commitment is to a cosmetic-only store with direct purchases, completely free of RNG, loot boxes, pay for power, or pay to win. Prices will range from $9 to $20 at launch, with no items exceeding $20. This transparent and player-friendly monetization strategy is a bold differentiator for an indie studio.
This commitment to a fair monetization model is a significant aspect of Wildlight's strategy to stand out. The studio, comprising about 100 employees, many of whom previously collaborated with Grenier and Welch at Electronic Arts’ Respawn, was founded during the pandemic and has been diligently crafting 'Highguard' ever since.
Grenier highlighted the team's strong existing synergy: "My experience has always been on the development side, and so I’ve worked alongside many of these people, some of them for over 20 years. We understand each other. It’s a lot like a sports team... I would say that’s not the case for us. We’re sort of like a well-oiled team that’s in the championship phase."
Welch is particularly enthusiastic about Wildlight's ambition to build its own publishing capability, while maintaining a laser focus on 'Highguard.' "The sky’s the limit when building a new IP. But quite honestly, I feel like some of these opportunities out there for episodic or streaming or more traditional opportunities are secondary," he said. "We have a job to do right now, which is surprise and delight and continue to engage fanbase. And that takes all of our time to do that really well, and I want to make sure that we are committed to doing that. That’s job number one. Should we do that, and should fans want more, then there’ll be endless opportunities to extend franchise out, but right now, we’ve got a great opportunity and responsibility."
Now, let's talk about the elephant in the room: Is 'Highguard' truly innovative, or is it just a clever remix of existing ideas? While the developers are confident in their unique blend of siege warfare, territory control, and escalating power, the initial trailer certainly fueled comparisons. Do you believe a free-to-play model and a 3v3 structure are enough to carve out a distinct identity in a crowded genre? Or will 'Highguard' ultimately fall into the shadow of its predecessors? Share your thoughts in the comments below – we'd love to hear your take!
