Sony is issuing automatic refunds to players of Highguard, a game that launched on January 26, 2026, but failed to maintain player engagement. After initial excitement, player numbers quickly plummeted, leading to the developer, Wildlight, announcing the game's shutdown on March 12. Despite attempts to add new features to enhance gameplay, the game's competitive nature alienated many players. Refunds are being processed without player requests, mainly for additional content purchased. This move seems to preemptively address concerns, as criticisms around Highguard mirror issues faced by another failed live service game, Concord. This raises eyebrows in the gaming community about the viability of live service models.

What caused the failure of Highguard?

Highguard's failure can be attributed to its steep learning curve and competitive gameplay that made it difficult for casual players to engage. New players struggled to adapt to its complex mechanics, with many finding the fast-paced 3v3 combat intimidating and unwelcoming.

Highguard was a team-based shooter developed by Wildlight Entertainment, financial backing for which came from Tencent. The game aimed to blend competitive mechanics with an engaging multiplayer experience but ultimately fell short due to its ambiance and complexities, leading to a rapid decline in player interest and substantial layoffs at the studio following its lackluster performance. The abrupt cessation of the game exemplifies challenges faced in the live service market.