‘Highguard’ Loses 80% of Steam Players Within 24 Hours

Highguard, the latest gaming sensation, debuted as a surprise release during The Game Awards. Initially intended as a stealth launch similar to Apex Legends, the Game Awards transformed its release into a notable event. Developer Wildlight aimed for a slick introduction, but early player statistics revealed dramatic shifts in player engagement.

Significant Player Drop-off Post-Launch

Upon its initial release, Highguard attracted approximately 97,000 concurrent players. This number surged, in part, due to the excitement and visibility generated by The Game Awards. However, just 24 hours later, the game’s player count plummeted by 80%, dropping to around 19,000 concurrent users.

Reasons for Player Exodus

• Technical Issues: Players reported performance problems on PC, leading to frustration.
• Gameplay Experience: Many described the game as “fine” but not compelling enough for prolonged engagement.
• Critical Reception: The game’s launch saw a 37% positive rating on Steam, marking it as “mostly negative.”

Wildlight has acknowledged these issues and is actively addressing technical performance concerns. However, an open debate remains regarding player sentiment towards the game. Some speculate that a portion of the gaming community may have been predisposed to critique Highguard harshly, while others simply found it unengaging.

Looking Ahead: Future Potential

Despite a challenging start, it remains unclear what Wildlight’s long-term expectations for player retention are. The team expressed a desire to cultivate a dedicated core audience rather than focusing on high player counts. While the decline in players raises concerns, it is premature to label Highguard a failure this early in its lifecycle.

It’s important to note that the initial stats only reflect peak concurrent players on Steam and do not account for console gamers. As the community evolves, it will be interesting to observe how Highguard develops over the coming weeks and whether it can carve out a niche in the gaming market.