Wildlight Entertainment Surprises The Game Awards With New PvP Shooter Highguard
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Wildlight Entertainment surprised viewers at The Game Awards by closing the show with Highguard, a new free-to-play PvP raid shooter launching on January 26, 2026, across PC and current-gen consoles.
The Game Awards usually closes out with a predictable formula involving a cinematic trailer for a sequel that is years away or a long-rumored remake. This year broke that mold when the grand finale went to Highguard, a completely new intellectual property from developer Wildlight Entertainment. Reported originally by Polygon, the reveal came with a massive twist because the game is launching in just a few weeks on January 26, 2026. For a player base accustomed to waiting years after a teaser drops, a near-term release is a refreshing change of pace.
Wildlight Entertainment was founded in 2021 by industry veterans who previously worked on Apex Legends, Titanfall, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. Highguard is a free-to-play PvP raid shooter where participants play as arcane gunslingers known as Wardens. Matches task crews with fighting for control of an objective called the Shieldbreaker before launching an assault to destroy the rival team base, all while utilizing airships and eagle companions. The game will feature full cross-play and cross-progression across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S at launch.
Skipping the usual multi-year marketing cycle is a bold bet for a debut studio entering the crowded shooter market. Modern players are constantly juggling live service titles, seasonal battle passes, and new free-to-play options across console and PC. Dropping a major new project into the wild with such a short runway means Wildlight is relying entirely on strong gameplay and word of mouth rather than years of hype. We will find out very soon if this strategy pays off when Highguard officially lands.
Source: Polygon
Tags: The Game Awards, Highguard, Wildlight Entertainment, Shooter, PC and Console Gaming
Original article: Polygon