A former Naughty Dog artist, Del Walker, has declared he will no longer participate in live-service games after the closure of Highguard. Walker, known for his work on titles like The Last of Us Part 2 and Star Wars: Jedi Survivor, created a character named Condor for Highguard, who utilizes her abilities through a bird companion. Despite an initial influx of players and subsequent updates, Highguard was ultimately unable to maintain its player base and funding, leading to its shutdown shortly after its launch in January 2026. Walker emphasizes his commitment to including more diverse characters in gaming but has made it clear he will no longer devote time to projects at risk of being discontinued.

Why did Highguard shut down so quickly after its release?

Highguard shut down due to declining player numbers and insufficient funding, despite developer efforts to enhance the game’s features following player feedback. The live-service model proved to be unsustainable for this title, marking it as another high-profile example of failed live-service games.

Highguard was marketed as a competitive shooter focusing on players controlling magical Wardens and their mounts. Its launch garnered significant attention, but a variety of factors contributed to its swift downfall, including a limited map size and gameplay format that failed to resonate with the community. This trend of live-service games struggling to maintain player engagement highlights the challenges many developers face in the current gaming landscape.