Highguard Revealed at TGA 2025: F2P Raid Shooter from Apex Legends Veterans Launches January 2026

The Game Awards 2025 delivered another surprise announcement that caught the gaming world off guard. Highguard, a free-to-play PvP raid shooter from the newly revealed Wildlight Entertainment, emerged from four years of secret development to stake its claim in the competitive shooter space.

A Studio Born from Industry Legends

Wildlight Entertainment was founded in 2021 by veterans who shaped some of the most influential shooters of the past decade. The team includes developers who worked on Apex Legends, Titanfall, and multiple Call of Duty titles—a pedigree that immediately signals serious ambitions in the competitive multiplayer space.

For four years, the studio operated in complete secrecy, building what they describe as the foundation for an expansive connected universe planned to evolve over the next decade. Highguard represents the first chapter in that ambitious vision.

What Is Highguard?

At its core, Highguard is a 3v3 team-based PvP raid shooter that blends tactical gunplay with fantastical elements. Set against a backdrop of mythical continental conflicts, the game puts players in the role of "wardens"—specialized combatants who wield magical guns and compete in high-stakes raids against enemy bases.

The objective centers on raiding and destruction. Teams of three wardens must coordinate their assault on enemy strongholds, utilizing a surprisingly diverse arsenal of combat options that go far beyond traditional shooter mechanics.

Combat Diversity Sets It Apart

What distinguishes Highguard from other competitive shooters is its commitment to varied combat styles. The game features:

• Magical Guns - The signature weapon type, combining projectile-based shooting with supernatural abilities
• Melee Weapons Close-quarters options for aggressive playstyles and finishing moves
• Mounted Cavalry Players can ride into battle, adding a strategic mobility layer rarely seen in modern shooters
• Vehicles Various transport and combat vehicles provide tactical advantages and map control

This combination suggests Highguard aims to offer something for every playstyle, whether players prefer ranged precision, up-close brawling, or vehicular chaos.

Cross-Platform From Day One

Wildlight Entertainment clearly understands the modern multiplayer landscape. Highguard will launch with full cross-play support across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, ensuring the player base remains unified from the start.

Equally important, cross-progression allows players to maintain their unlocks and progress regardless of which platform they're playing on. This flexibility has become essential for free-to-play titles competing for players' attention across multiple devices.

The Connected Universe Vision

Perhaps most intriguing is Wildlight's stated intention for Highguard to be just the beginning. The studio describes this as the first installment in a "connected universe" they plan to build and expand over the coming decade.

While details remain scarce on what this connected universe might entail—additional games, expanded lore, or evolving gameplay systems—it's clear the studio is thinking beyond a single release. This long-term vision, combined with the team's AAA pedigree, positions Highguard as a potential major player in the live-service shooter market.

Game Information

Highguard launches January 26, 2026 as a free-to-play title on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. With Apex Legends and Titanfall veterans at the helm and a decade-long vision driving development, this is one shooter worth keeping on your radar.