Highguard Could Be Making a Huge Change

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Just days after launching, the hero shooter Highguard is trying to boost its player numbers by adding a new 5v5 game mode. The game initially attracted nearly 100,000 players on Steam, but has since seen a significant drop, often falling below 10,000 concurrent players. Developer Wildlight Entertainment is responding quickly to address this decline.

As a fan, I have to say the way they released Highguard was… interesting, to say the least! They first showed it off at The Game Awards 2025, but after that, it was radio silence for months. It turns out they were planning a total shadow drop, kind of like what Apex Legends did. And it definitely got people talking – the game blew up on Steam right away with tons of reviews and players jumping in. But… it hasn’t been a smooth launch. A lot of those initial reviews were negative, and right now the game is sitting at a “Mixed” rating on Steam. Only about 43% of players are giving it a positive review, which is a tough spot to be in right after launch.

Highguard Adds Experimental 5v5 Mode As Player Count Declines

Since its release, the player base for Highguard has dropped significantly, from a peak of 97,249 players six days ago to 13,119 currently. To address player feedback and boost numbers, Wildlight Entertainment quickly added a new, experimental 5v5 Raid Mode. This is a big change for Highguard, which was previously only a 3v3 game. The new mode allows full parties of five, and some adjustments have been made to balance gameplay – raids now have 10 lives instead of six, and respawn times are a bit longer to allow for more strategic generator planting and defusing. This 5v5 mode is just a test, and it’s only available for a limited time – the patch notes indicate it will only be around for the weekend. Wildlight Entertainment emphasizes that this is a separate playlist, and the original 3v3 raids are still available for players who prefer that format.

Adding a 5v5 game mode to Highguard makes a lot of sense. Players previously felt the maps were too large for 3v3 battles, and many requested larger teams. While this change could be a positive step, the game’s initial negative reviews might have already hurt its chances. It’s crucial to make a good first impression with live-service games, as players have many other options to choose from and won’t hesitate to switch if a game doesn’t grab their attention. Hopefully, if the 5v5 mode proves successful, it will become a permanent feature of Highguard.

Even though Highguard had a rocky start, Wildlight Entertainment is still fully committed to the game. They’ve announced a detailed plan for 2026, promising lots of new, free content released in several updates throughout the year. If they can deliver on this plan, it looks like it will be a great year to be a Highguard player.

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2026-02-01 19:36