Wildlight Entertainment, an innovative studio founded by former Respawn developers, has unveiled its latest creation: Highguard. This exciting new PvP game was introduced at The Game Awards 2025, sparking anticipation among gaming enthusiasts.
A New Era for PvP Shooters
The thrilling conclusion of the award show featured a captivating trailer for Highguard, a first-person shooter crafted by the talented team behind Apex Legends and Titanfall. Players eagerly await its release, as Highguard will be available as a free-to-play title starting January 26th, 2026 on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PS5.
On its Steam page, the game’s description invites players to delve into the role of Wardens, arcane gunslingers battling for control of a mythical continent. Highguard promises an exhilarating PvP raid shooter experience where players ride, fight, and raid.
Highguard’s gameplay, as revealed in the trailer, includes raiding enemy bases with a Shieldbreaker, utilizing mounts for traversal, and wielding a mix of medieval and modern weaponry. This self-described ‘raid-shooter’ is Wildlight Entertainment’s debut project, created by industry veterans since the studio’s formation in 2021.
Esports Potential: A New Competitive Horizon?
The unique mechanics of Highguard may carve out a distinct niche in the competitive gaming scene. Although Wildlight Entertainment has not yet confirmed plans for an esports direction, the game’s innovative raiding and objective-capturing gameplay sets it apart from traditional battle royales and tactical shooters. Whether Highguard can match the popularity of the Apex Legends Global Series remains uncertain, but it has the potential to thrive in its own unique space.
As the community anticipates the release next January, the success of Highguard will determine whether it can establish a vibrant competitive scene. If the game captures player interest and achieves popularity, it could redefine the boundaries of competitive shooters.