What's Happening?
Highguard, a new free-to-play PvP raid shooter developed by Wildlight, has faced significant online backlash following its launch. The game, which was revealed at The Game Awards, initially saw a peak of 97,249 concurrent users on Steam but has since received 'mostly negative' reviews. Criticisms include the game's large and empty map, the resource-gathering phase, and performance issues, particularly on PC. Despite these challenges, several high-profile developers, including those from Larian and Epic Games, have defended the game, criticizing the trend of negative discourse surrounding new game releases. They argue that while criticism is valid, it should not be hurtful or personal.
Why It's Important?
The backlash against Highguard highlights a growing trend
in the gaming industry where new releases are met with immediate and often harsh criticism. This can have significant implications for developers, particularly smaller studios, as negative reviews can impact a game's success and the studio's reputation. The situation underscores the need for a balanced approach to criticism, where feedback is constructive rather than destructive. The defense from industry veterans suggests a call for more respectful discourse, which could influence how future games are received and reviewed.
What's Next?
Wildlight plans to address the criticisms by updating Highguard with various patches and has announced a roadmap for 2026 content. The studio faces the challenge of improving the game's reception and regaining player trust. Meanwhile, the discourse around the game may prompt broader discussions within the industry about the nature of online criticism and its impact on developers. The response from developers and players alike could shape future interactions and expectations in the gaming community.
