A devastating blow has struck the gaming industry, with Wildlight Entertainment confirming layoffs that have left an unknown number of employees in the lurch. This news comes from the studio itself, which has stated that only a "core group" of developers will remain to keep the free-to-play shooter afloat.
In a social media announcement, Wildlight revealed that they had made the tough decision to part ways with several team members, while keeping a skeleton crew to continue developing and supporting the game. They expressed pride in their team, talent, and product, and gratitude towards the players who had supported the game and community.
However, a former employee has shed light on the extent of these layoffs, claiming that "most of the team" has been let go. Alex Graner, a former level designer, expressed his disappointment on LinkedIn, stating that there was a significant amount of unreleased content that he and others had designed for Highguard, which now may never see the light of day.
GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Wildlight to confirm the exact number of employees affected by these layoffs. This news follows comments made by Wildlight CEO and founder Dusty Welch last month, where he expressed his wish that Highguard had received a better reception. Welch also addressed the mixed reactions to the game's reveal at The Game Awards and the limited marketing leading up to its launch in January 2026.
"We could have made a different trailer, a better one that focused on the game's unique loop rather than entertainment value, which we believe The Game Awards is all about," Welch said. He took responsibility for the marketing strategy, but emphasized the team's resilience.
Jason McCord, Wildlight's design and creative director, added that their plan was to announce the game, go dark, and then reveal the final product to players. "The key is, you've got to play the game," McCord emphasized.
This strategy, however, may have backfired, leaving the future of Highguard and its developers uncertain. With an unknown number of employees affected and a potentially unfinished game, the situation is dire.
And this is where it gets controversial: should developers prioritize entertainment value over showcasing a game's unique features in trailers? Is this a case of poor marketing, or a deeper issue with the game itself? What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments and let's discuss!
