The situation for Highguard is becoming increasingly critical as the development team at Wildlight strives to retain a diminishing player base. Recent statistics indicate that the game reached a peak of just 694 concurrent players, according to data from SteamDB. This figure has been on a downward trend throughout February, starting the month with around 13,000 daily players.

In an effort to combat this decline and possibly turn the tide, the game is set to introduce a new high-speed mode called Raid Rush, launching tomorrow, February 27th, at 5 PM GMT. This mode features head-to-head competition between two teams of five, focusing on attacking and defending bases while eliminating the traditional looting stage.

In Raid Rush, teams will switch roles between offense and defense each round. Bases will automatically be repaired, and players won’t need to purchase armor, as everyone will start with the same gear, which will improve in quality with each round. Players will only need to interact with the Trader for additional items, making it a nonstop action experience. The update will also include several quality-of-life improvements and balance adjustments.

It’s uncertain whether the Raid Rush update will positively influence Highguard’s troubling situation; however, skepticism remains. A public playtest for Marathon is scheduled for this weekend, and with similar hero shooters like Overwatch gaining momentum, the competition is fierce. A more pressing question might be how long Highguard can sustain its operations amidst these challenges.

Initially, Highguard was prominently featured at The Game Awards last December, but the lack of communication post-announcement raised concerns regarding its future. Upon its release, the game struggled to gain traction, prompting Wildlight to introduce larger team modes to please the player base. Unfortunately, by that time, the shift away from the game seemed inevitable. Following layoffs within the company, the team remained committed to keeping Highguard running. However, with only a few hundred players online daily, the sustainability of this commitment is in doubt.