Just weeks after the launch of their free-to-play raid shooter, Highguard, developer Wildlight Entertainment has reportedly laid off 'most of the team'—a move that’s as shocking as it is heartbreaking. But here’s where it gets controversial: Could this be a sign of deeper troubles in the gaming industry, or is it just another casualty of a risky market? Let’s dive in.
According to Alex Graner, a former level designer at Wildlight, the layoffs hit hard. In a LinkedIn post (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/alex-graner-a37262114_alex-graners-resume-activity-7427480816940892161-hmDh/), Graner shared, 'Unfortunately, along with most of the team at Wildlight, I was laid off today.' What’s even more gut-wrenching? Graner mentioned there was 'a lot of unreleased content [he] was really looking forward to,' which now might never see the light of day. And this is the part most people miss: Unreleased content being shelved isn’t just a loss for the team—it’s a missed opportunity for players who were eagerly anticipating more from the game.
Highguard’s journey has been an uphill battle since its reveal at The Game Awards 2025 (https://gameinformer.com/the-game-awards-2025/2025/12/11/new-fantasy-shooter-highguard-announced-from-former-titanfall-devs). Positioned as the final 'world premiere,' the game struggled to resonate with audiences, possibly due to its unconventional FPS style and awkward placement in the ceremony. Despite this, Wildlight pushed forward, releasing the game for free on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on January 26.
Interestingly, the game wasn’t a total write-off. Game Informer Editor-in-Chief Matt Miller praised Highguard as a 'promising contender' in his review (https://gameinformer.com/review/highguard/promising-contender). Just last week, the game received its Episode 2 update (https://gameinformer.com/2026/02/06/highguard-episode-2-adds-a-ranked-mode-a-new-hero-and-map-and-more-today), introducing a ranked mode, a new hero, an additional map, and more. So, why the sudden layoffs?
Here’s the million-dollar question: Did Highguard’s mixed reception lead to financial strain, or is this part of a broader trend in the industry? Layoffs have become all too common in gaming, but each case raises important questions about sustainability and the human cost of creative pursuits. Game Informer has reached out to Wildlight Entertainment for more details on the layoffs, including the number of team members affected. We’ll update this story as more information becomes available.
What do you think? Is this just another unfortunate chapter in the gaming industry’s story, or is there something more systemic at play? Let us know in the comments—we’d love to hear your thoughts!
