A recent investigation into the challenges faced by the multiplayer shooter Highguard has unveiled that Tencent reportedly withdrew its financial support just two weeks after the game’s release. This information emerged as Wildlight shared the news of significant layoffs affecting a majority of its 100-strong team.

According to sources, during an all-hands meeting held on February 11—shortly after Highguard’s launch on January 26—employees were informed about impending layoffs attributed to Tencent’s funding withdrawal. The prevailing belief among staff was that the game did not satisfy the performance metrics set by Tencent.

Wildlight confirmed the layoffs the following day but did not disclose specific figures, stating that a small group of essential developers would continue to work on the game. Current reports suggest that fewer than 20 individuals remain at the studio.

Interestingly, Tencent’s involvement in the development of Highguard was not publicly acknowledged until days after the layoffs were communicated. It’s unclear why the studio opted for such secrecy, given Tencent’s critical role in forming Wildlight. The financial backing provided by Tencent was reportedly substantial enough to facilitate the hiring of the development team behind Highguard.

What factors contributed to Highguard’s struggles? Discussions with former Wildlight employees paint a clearer picture of the game’s development trajectory. Initially conceived as a survival shooter akin to Rust, Wildlight aimed to steer clear of the saturated competitive shooter market. Two years were devoted to this vision, but the team eventually recognized the need for a shift in direction.

This survival shooter background has left lingering elements in the game, such as resource gathering for Vesper currency and base raiding mechanics. These features were preserved even as the game evolved, perhaps complicating the final product’s core structure. Highguard now incorporates elements of base raiding, equipment upgrades, and siege weaponry, resulting in a somewhat convoluted mix of gameplay styles. New game modes are now being introduced to help simplify this complexity.

Curiously, it raises the question of how such significant design issues went unnoticed before launch. While the game underwent extensive internal and external testing, conditions during these tests were less than reflective of typical player experiences. Internal testers were already familiar with the game, which may have rendered its complexity less of an issue, and controlled testing sessions relied on voice communication, differing from casual gameplay scenarios.

Although the idea of open testing was proposed, Wildlight leadership decided against it, aiming to replicate the successful launch strategy of Apex Legends, which was kept under wraps until its debut.

The precedent set by Apex Legends loomed large over Highguard’s development. Some members of the team had previously worked at Respawn and harbored a sense of confidence—or “hubris,” as described by interviewed developers—about achieving similar success with Highguard. Even in the face of growing negativity surrounding the game, particularly after its announcement at The Game Awards, Wildlight urged its staff to maintain secrecy, believing that the game itself would prove successful.

Presently, the future of Highguard remains uncertain, despite Wildlight’s attempts to rejuvenate interest through the introduction of new modes and characters. A new mode called Raid Rush was added recently, but the game’s ongoing difficulties are compounded by the simultaneous emergence of competitive title Marathon and the resurgence of Overwatch. Considering the limited team still working on Highguard, it remains challenging to foresee a turnaround or resurgence for the game.