Wildlight Entertainment has reportedly laid off most of its staff, according to multiple employees who confirmed their departures on LinkedIn. The news follows the recent launch of the studio’s debut title, Highguard, which released on January 26, 2026.
Update: The developer has shared an official statement which can be read below.
Today we made an incredibly difficult decision to part ways with a number of our team members while keeping a core group of developers to continue innovating on and supporting the game. We’re proud of the team, talent, and the product we’ve created together. We’re also grateful for players who gave the game a shot, and those who continue to be a part of our community.
Level Designer Alex Graner was among the first to publicly confirm the layoffs, writing, “Unfortunately, along with most of the team at Wildlight, I was laid off today.” He added, “This one really stings as there was a lot of unreleased content I was really looking forward to that I and others designed for Highguard.”
Other team members echoed similar sentiments. Geoffrey Garnett, Principal Sound Designer at Wildlight, stated, “My position was impacted by the studio layoffs at Wildlight today. This has been an incredible team, and it is immensely difficult to process that the ride is over.” He thanked the team for the opportunity and noted he would be updating his portfolio. Gameplay Engineer Geoffrey Tucker also confirmed he was affected, writing, “My journey at Wildlight Entertainment was short but sweet. Unfortunately, I was impacted by today’s layoffs.”
Senior Software Engineer Jessie Y. similarly wrote, “Sadly, I was laid off from Wildlight Entertainment today. It was an absolute pleasure working with this team, but, bittersweet as it is, I look forward to whatever is next in my journey.”
Highguard, Wildlight’s first title, launched as a free-to-play raid shooter blending base destruction mechanics with hero-based gunplay. The project marked the debut release from the studio, which was founded in 2022 by former developers from Respawn Entertainment and Infinity Ward. Despite a high-profile reveal and experienced leadership, the game entered a competitive live service market and received mixed reactions following launch.
