Less than a week after its release, Highguard already appears to be heading toward a major change. With player numbers dropping rapidly, hero shooter Highguard has introduced an experimental 5v5 playlist in an effort to refresh gameplay and bring players back. At launch, the game peaked at nearly 100,000 concurrent players on Steam, but within days that number frequently dropped below 10,000, forcing developer Wildlight Entertainment to take quick action.
Highguard’s release strategy was also quite unusual. The game was first revealed as the final major announcement at The Game Awards 2025, followed by a long period of near silence in marketing. It officially launched on January 26, with the studio aiming for a surprise release similar to Apex Legends. Initially, Highguard gained strong attention on Steam with a high player count and many reviews, but negative feedback soon followed. The game currently holds a “Mixed” rating, with only 43% positive reviews, putting it in a difficult position early on.
Since launch, Highguard’s player count has dropped sharply. Its current 24-hour peak stands at just 13,119 players, compared to an all-time peak of 97,249 recorded only six days earlier. To address criticism and revive interest, Wildlight Entertainment has added a new experimental 5v5 Raid Mode. Previously limited to 3v3 matches, this new mode represents a significant shift in direction. The 5v5 mode supports full five-player teams and includes balance adjustments, such as increasing raid lives from six to ten and slightly longer respawn times to better support objectives.
This 5v5 mode is strictly experimental and is only available for the weekend, giving players a limited window to test it. The developer has emphasized that it exists as a separate playlist and that the original 3v3 mode will remain available for those who prefer it. Many early critics felt that the maps were too large for 3v3 matches, so a 5v5 format could be a logical improvement. However, early negative impressions may have already caused lasting damage, as first impressions are crucial in the highly competitive live-service market.
Despite these early struggles, Wildlight Entertainment has not given up on Highguard. The developer has revealed an ambitious 2026 roadmap featuring a full year of free content spread across multiple episodes. If the game can deliver on this plan, the future could still be promising for Highguard and its community. For the latest gaming news and updates, check out the latest gaming news and updates on our website.
