Report: Tencent Secretly Funded Highguard

While the turbulent debut of the “raid shooter” Highguard was common knowledge, the identity of the entity bankrolling the project remained a mystery—until now. Despite Wildlight Entertainment’s consistent claims that the title was “fully funded,” the developer meticulously avoided naming its primary patron. However, according to industry sources speaking with GameFile journalist Stephen Totilo, the Chinese gaming titan Tencent was the silent force behind the game’s capital.

Tencent stands as the most formidable player in the global gaming market, boasting a portfolio that includes hits like PUBG Mobile and League of Legends, alongside significant stakes in Epic Games and Ubisoft. Insiders familiar with the Highguard deal indicate that Tencent’s TiMi Studio Group provided a substantial portion of the development budget. The motives for keeping this financial partnership confidential remain obscure, and while the exact dollar amount hasn’t been disclosed, the investment is described as considerable.

Highguard made its high-profile debut during the finale of the 2025 Game Awards. Wildlight suggested that this premier slot was granted as a courtesy by the event’s creator, Geoff Keighley, who had publicly endorsed the game after personal playtesting. It is worth noting that Tencent Senior Vice President Steven Ma currently serves on The Game Awards’ advisory board, hinting at a web of high-level industry connections.

Neither Tencent nor Wildlight Entertainment have officially acknowledged the collaboration. Though the total production costs are unknown, the project’s scale—complete with high-fidelity cinematics and a robust seasonal roadmap—suggests a massive expenditure. Unfortunately, the investment has not yet yielded success; Highguard launched to a lukewarm reception and immediate player attrition. Wildlight, which operates out of Los Angeles and Seattle, recently saw its workforce of 100—many of whom were Respawn Entertainment veterans—reduced to a skeleton crew. It remains uncertain if Tencent influenced these drastic staffing cuts. Further signaling a grim outlook, Highguard’s official website recently went dark, and the studio has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the game’s future.

Source: Polygon