Ex-Highguard Developer Criticizes Players for Prejudging the Game Unfairly
Highguard, a new free-to-play first-person shooter, has faced significant criticism following its launch. Despite attracting over 97,000 concurrent players on Steam at launch, the game has struggled with negative reviews and subsequent layoffs at the developing studio, Wildlight Entertainment.
Developer Insights on Player Feedback
Josh Sobel, a technical artist at Wildlight, expressed his disappointment over the game’s reception. He pointed out that many players judged Highguard before even trying it. “We were turned into a joke from minute one,” Sobel stated. He noted the negative narrative surrounding the game, fueled by a controversial trailer released during The Game Awards.
Impact of Marketing Strategies
Sobel did not directly blame the marketing strategies but acknowledged their role in the game’s perception. Wildlight’s CEO, Dusty Welch, apologized for the trailer’s reception, admitting it did not portray the game’s unique features effectively. “We should have made a trailer that highlighted the unique loop of the game,” Welch commented.
Player Reactions and Review Bombing
- Highguard received over 14,000 review bombs shortly after launch.
- Many negative reviews came from users with less than an hour of gameplay.
- Comments sections were flooded with memes and negative remarks, indicating a strong backlash.
Sobel highlighted that the backlash was exacerbated by a culture that often favors negative content. “Negative-leaning content gets ten times the engagement of positive reviews,” he noted. The criticism targeted not just the game but also the developers, with personal attacks directed at Sobel and others who supported Highguard.
The Future of Multiplayer Games
Sobel expressed concern that the negative reception of Highguard could deter future innovation in the gaming industry. He pointed out that developers might shy away from creating new projects due to fear of harsh criticism based on preconceived notions. “If we continue to see new multiplayer games judged by a bad trailer, innovation will be at risk,” he warned.
Looking Ahead
While Highguard’s launch was rocky, Sobel emphasized the need for players to give games a fair chance. He remarked that leaving negative reviews based on incomplete experiences does not accurately reflect a game’s quality. The gaming industry needs to foster an environment where new ideas are given the opportunity to thrive, free from baseless judgments.
In an era of gaming fatigue, especially within the free-to-play genre, it’s crucial for developers to connect with players in a meaningful way. The challenge remains not only in creating engaging content but also in shifting player perceptions to allow new concepts to flourish.
