Former Highguard Developer Criticizes Shooter’s Overemphasis on Competition, Alienating Players
Highguard, a free-to-play PvP raid shooter, has faced significant criticism from former developers regarding its competitive design. Launched amid high expectations, the game failed to retain players and saw a drastic drop in engagement shortly after its release.
Former Developer Critique
Alex Graner, a former level designer at Wildlight, voiced concerns that the game’s overemphasis on competition alienated many players. On the Quad Damage Podcast, he stated that the development team heavily focused on competitive elements, which he believed was a misstep. Graner explained, “Throughout development, we really leaned into the competitive side of it, and that was always one of my biggest fears as a player.”
Gameplay Dynamics
Graner elaborated on the challenges posed by the game’s mechanics. Highguard featured various game modes requiring intense communication and teamwork, specifically in 3v3 duos. This structure, he noted, left little room for casual gameplay:
- Complex rules and stage requirements
- High-skill movement demands
- Reduced opportunities for new players to engage
He remarked that even simple tasks were complicated, stating, “You want to loot, now we’ve got to chase this objective… it’s a lot to grasp for newcomers.” The heavy team-based emphasis made it difficult for players without solid communication to thrive.
Player Retention Issues
The feedback regarding Highguard was predominantly negative, with many casual gamers feeling overwhelmed. Graner noted that poor team coordination could lead to frustrating experiences. Furthermore, another former developer highlighted the challenges faced after a disastrous game launch, claiming that the team had become “a joke” due to misguided advertising strategies.
Financial Backing and Developer Exodus
Highguard reportedly received financial support from Tencent, which withdrew backing shortly after launch. The game has continued to struggle with player retention, plummeting from a peak of 97,249 concurrent players at launch to just 105 currently on Steam. The development team is now reduced to fewer than 20 members working on the game.
As Highguard navigates its turbulent trajectory, it remains crucial for developers to balance competitive elements with accessibility to avoid alienating casual players. The impact of this approach will be significant for the game’s long-term viability.
