Highguard is a newly revealed free–to-play shooter that blends “squad vs squad” fights with a raid-style base assault to determine the winner. It debuted at The Game Awards and leans into a fantasy “arcane gunslinger” vibe.

This guide pulls together what’s confirmed about Highguard, including its release date, whether it’s free-to-play, and how its core mode is intended to work. We’ll also cover why the reveal drew backlash and which details remain unconfirmed.

What Is Highguard?

Highguard is an upcoming game described as a free-to-play PvP raid shooter, where teams fight as Wardens for control of a mythical continent. The core gameplay is simple: teams compete for a key objective, the Shieldbreaker, then use that advantage to breach an enemy base and destroy it. 

Highguard Release Date and Platforms

The Highguard release date is currently listed as January 26, 2026. That date was confirmed at The Game Awards and appears on the game’s Steam listing and the studio’s announcement.

When it comes to platforms, Highguard has been confirmed for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The game is also confirmed to support cross-play and cross-progression across those platforms at launch.

Is Highguard Free-to-Play?

Yes, Highguard is officially announced as a free-to-play game. What isn’t clearly laid out yet is the exact monetization structure—battle pass, cosmetics, founders packs, etc. It could follow familiar free-to-play shooter patterns (cosmetics, battle pass, optional bundles), similar to Valorant or Overwatch 2.

Highguard Gameplay Explained

Based on official descriptions and what’s been discussed around the reveal, the Highguard gameplay is built around a two-part match flow: win control of the Shieldbreaker, then turn that into a base breach win condition.

It’s a first-person shooter at its core, but the trailer and early coverage emphasize a fantasy-flavored mix of guns, melee weapons, and supernatural abilities.

Wardens, Abilities, and Hero Elements

Highguard describes its heroes as Wardens and “arcane gunslingers,” suggesting the game will feature an ability-driven combat style rather than relying solely on loadout-driven FPS mechanics, at least according to the trailer.

What Is a PvP Raid Shooter?

A PvP raid shooter (at least in Highguard’s marketing) blends two ideas: a team-based PvP fight to gain an advantage, followed by a raid-like push into a defended space to end the match.

That makes it different from an extraction shooter, which is more focused on looting and escaping. Here, the raid is the win condition—breach the base and destroy it.

Who Is Making Highguard?

Highguard is being developed and published by Wildlight Entertainment, a new studio founded by veterans of franchises such as Apex Legends, Titanfall, and Call of Duty.

Two key names that have appeared in announcement coverage are Dusty Welch (co-founder and CEO) and Chad Grenier (co-founder and game director), both of whom are tied to that “veteran shooter team” framing around Highguard.

Why Is Highguard Controversial?

A big chunk of the backlash around Highguard is about the game’s timing and expectation. Highguard’s announcement closed out The Game Awards 2025 as the final reveal, and many viewers expected a different kind of big finale.

The Trailer’s Reception

In mid-December, multiple reports noted that the reveal trailer was receiving thousands of dislikes and a low like-to-view ratio, which became a talking point in its own right.

Titanfall Devs Expectations

Highguard also got swept into Titanfall/Apex expectations because of how its team’s pedigree is described. That created a gap between what some fans hoped for (a Titanfall-adjacent vibe) and what the trailer actually presented.

Unconfirmed Details About Highguard

As of December 29, 2025, here’s what still isn’t fully confirmed about Highguard:

• Monetization details: battle pass structure, cosmetics pricing, paid skins vs cosmetics that can be earned.
• Competitive features: ranked mode, esports plan, custom lobbies
• Match specifics: exact team size, number of teams per match, map count, match length expectations
• Progression: account leveling, Warden unlock model, weapon progression

FAQs

When does Highguard release?

Highguard is set to release on January 26, 2026.

Is Highguard free-to-play?

Highguard’s official announcement confirmed that the game will be free-to-play.

What platforms is Highguard available on?

Highguard has officially been confirmed for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.

What kind of game is Highguard?

The game has been marketed as a PvP raid shooter: PvP battles for the Shieldbreaker, followed by a raid-style push into the enemy base to secure the win.

Who is developing Highguard?

Highguard is developed and published by Wildlight Entertainment.