Highguard dev hit with mass layoffs as "most of the team at Wildlight" is let go

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Highguard dev hit with mass layoffs as "most of the team at Wildlight" is let go News By Jordan Gerblick published 11 February 2026

"This one really stings as there was a lot of unreleased content I was really looking forward to"

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(Image credit: Wildlight Entertainment)

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Highguard studio Wildlight has been hit with layoffs just weeks after the launch of the game.

It's no surprise that Highguard hasn't had the easiest time since it was announced at the end of The Game Awards 2025. Reactions to the announcement trailer ranged from mild confusion and apathy to straight-up rejection of yet another live-service hero shooter ala Concord. Then the game was launched to middling reviews and performance complaints, and despite a flurry of big updates since, Wildlight has confirmed it's laid off "a number" of developers.

Highguard level designer Alex Graner was the first to announce that he and "most of the team at Wildlight" had been laid off, writing on LinkedIn:

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"Unfortunately, along with most of the team at Wildlight, I was laid off today," said Graner. "This one really stings as there was a lot of unreleased content I was really looking forward to that I and others designed for Highguard. However, I'm excited for my next adventure. If your team or anyone you know needs an experienced Level Designer, hit me up!"

A spokesperson for Wildlight itself confirmed to GamesRadar+ that layoffs did occur, but didn't specify how many employees were impacted. The studio also confirmed development on the game will continue with a "core group of developers.""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 Wildlight spokesperson said."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."

I had a genuinely alright time playing the few matches of Highguard I did, and by all accounts it seems the game was doing alright for itself, so I'm hoping we get some additional clarification from Wildlight soon.

After 30,000 layoffs and a dead MMO, Amazon reportedly loses gaming exec who famously said games "don't really have acting"

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Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. CATEGORIES Xbox Series X PS5 PC Gaming Platforms Xbox PlayStation Jordan GerblickSocial Links Navigation

After earning an English degree from ASU, I worked as a corporate copy editor while freelancing for places like SFX Magazine, Screen Rant, Game Revolution, and MMORPG on the side. I got my big break here in 2019 with a freelance news gig, and I was hired on as GamesRadar's west coast Staff Writer in 2021. That means I'm responsible for managing the site's western regional executive branch, AKA my home office, and writing about whatever horror game I'm too afraid to finish.

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