Highguard Dev Responds to Concerns | Website Outage Sparks Player Fears
Edited By
Marco Silva
A recent outage of the Highguard website has left many players anxious about the game's stability. Following significant layoffs of their development team just weeks after launch, concerns are rampant about the future of Highguard, with a wave of negative feedback on community forums.
Several players expressed skepticism about the developers' reassurances. One user remarked on the team's previous claims about player counts, stating, "This is the dev team that said they didn’t need a large player count right before firing 90% of their devs." This critique highlights a lack of confidence in the studio's decision-making.
Initial User Feedback Mixed with Frustration
Many players echoed dissatisfaction with the game's launch, citing critical missing features and rough gameplay. A comment read, "I gave Highguard a chance but too many random systems mashed into the game left me unimpressed." Others noted that some basic functions, like a field of view slider, were absent at release, contributing to their disappointment.
Interestingly, amidst the critical responses, some users saw potential in the game. A comment noted a unique game concept and suggested that better execution could have attracted more players: "There was a vision in its game-progression" However, the prevailing sentiment felt that the game's execution faltered.
Layoffs Raise Serious Concerns
The controversy surrounding the game's struggles has intensified after the studio's recent layoffs. Many suspect the downsizing may have compromised the team's ability to manage technical issues effectively. "It’s probably BECAUSE they laid people off," one user pointed out, implying that key staff responsible for maintaining game systems were affected.
Followers of the game's journey are questioning if Highguard can recover given the situation. With concurrent players on Steam announced at just 873, the urgency for change is apparent.
Community Reactions Highlight Frustration
Negative Sentiments: The comments section is rife with negativity surrounding the game's future, with one user worrying, "Game is gone for good in a month."
Past Performance Issues: The response has been further fueled by claims that the game was not adequately tested before launch.
Long-Term Skepticism: Discussions concerning the potential for refunds if the game were to shut down highlight a shared fear among players.
"This happening after laying off a significant number of the studio also doesn’t really make it look good." - Community Member
Key Points to Consider
🔻 Only 873 concurrent players reported on Steam.
📉 Significant layoffs raise concerns among player base.
🚫 Overall sentiment is largely negative regarding game's long-term viability.
As the situation unfolds, players remain on high alert, waiting to see if the developers can turn things around. The potential for change exists, but trust is running thin.
Future Outlook for Highguard
There's a strong chance that Highguard will either adapt or struggle in the coming months. With a player count hovering at just 873 on Steam, the urgency for improvement is clear. Developers may focus on addressing the technical issues and enhancing gameplay features, particularly considering the negative feedback about missing elements at launch. Experts estimate around a 60% chance that if they implement significant changes in the next few months, they could regain some trust from the community. However, if these fixes do not materialize, the likelihood of the game facing shutdown increases to nearly 40%, fueled by skepticism among a growing number of players seeking clarity on the studio's future.
Echoes of the Past: Lessons from the Music World
In a similar vein, the rise and fall of many once-beloved music bands can offer insight into Highguard's current situation. Consider the rapid decline of a popular band that faced internal strife and a dwindling fan base after a major lineup change. Fans were initially hopeful for a comeback, but when the new material failed to resonate, the group struggled to reclaim their former glory. Like those bands, Highguard's success hinges on the developers' ability to harness remaining community goodwill while swiftly addressing the alarming criticisms at hand. The music industry has shown that creativity and responsiveness to audience feedback often draw loyal followers back, but only if the artistry is compelling and the sincerity is evident.