Highguard Failed Because It Didn’t Follow the ARC Raiders Approach: A Brutal Lesson the Gaming Industry Still Hasn’t Learned

Highguard ultimately proved to be a fleeting dream. While Wildlight Entertainment possessed a clear vision, the studio delivered a product that failed to find an audience for one simple reason: they never bothered to gauge whether players actually wanted it.

The contrast with ARC Raiders is particularly revealing. Embark Studios navigated years of rigorous closed and open testing, allowing the project to evolve significantly. Through constant community engagement and iterative development, they crafted an experience that keeps players coming back.

Highguard bypassed these essential stages entirely. An announcement just weeks before its debut at The Game Awards, coupled with a complete lack of public trials, immediately earned the game the “Concord 2.0” label—a harsh assessment, yet one that felt largely justified.

The examples of Bungie and Marathon demonstrate that early criticism can be a vital asset; the studio listened to player feedback and refined the project accordingly. The lesson is undeniable: launching a multiplayer title in 2026 without establishing a dialogue with the community is a near-certain path to failure, layoffs, and eventual studio closure.

Source: iXBT.games