Key Takeaways
1. Highguard initially attracted around 97,000 players on Steam but quickly experienced a sharp decline in active users.
2. The game reached a new low of only 122 players online, leading to the decision to permanently close the servers.
3. The official shutdown date is set for March 12, with developers encouraging players to return for final matches.
4. A final update will introduce new content, including a new Warden character, a new weapon, account level progression, and skill trees.
5. Signs of trouble included the rapid drop in player count post-launch and significant layoffs within the development team.
Highguard had an impressive beginning upon its release, hitting approximately 97,000 players at the same time on Steam. However, this initial success was short-lived. Within just a day, the game saw a significant decline in its player community, and the downward trend continued over the following weeks.
Declining Numbers
Since then, the situation has only worsened. The number of active players kept decreasing, ultimately reaching very low figures. Just yesterday, the game hit a new low, with merely 122 players online. With such diminishing numbers, it became hard for the developers to keep the game operational. Now, the team has announced that the servers will be permanently closed.
Official Announcement
In a message posted on X, the official account for Highguard revealed that the game will go offline on March 12. The developers shared that despite their efforts on the project, they could not maintain a sufficiently large player base to sustain the game long term.
Even though the shutdown has been confirmed, the servers will be running until March 12. The developers are inviting players to return during these final days and enjoy a few last matches before the game shuts down. Additionally, the team is working on a final update before the closure, which will introduce a new Warden character, a new weapon, account level progression, and skill trees.
Signs of Trouble
Ever since Highguard was released, there have been various signs that hinted at the possibility of the game shutting down one day. The first significant indicator was the sharp drop in player count right after the launch. Just a few weeks later, the studio laid off most of its employees, leading many to speculate about the game’s uncertain future. At one point, a former developer even pointed fingers at content creators for the game’s failure, claiming it was labeled a flop before it had a real chance to succeed.
Highguard via X
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