Highguard | New Base and Raid Tool Sparks Mixed Feelings
A recent announcement regarding a new base and raid tool for Highguard has ignited intense debate within the gaming community. As the player base dwindles—plummeting to around 1,000 active users on Steam from a peak of 100,000—many question whether these new features will effectively revive interest in the game following major layoffs at the development studio.
Studio Mismanagement and Community Discontent
Critics argue that the studio mishandled the game's release. Commenters highlighted that it launched without public playtests, suggesting it should have been in beta instead. One person noted, "The studio was running on empty and badly mismanaged if they had to fire almost everyone after 2 weeks of the game releasing." This sentiment indicates widespread disillusionment with the developers' decision-making process.
Additionally, the timing of layoffs just weeks post-launch has left players doubtful about the studio's direction. One commenter pointed out, "If the atmosphere around the firings hadn't been one of 'we're letting them go because the game underperformed,' maybe there would be more confidence."
New Features or Too Little, Too Late?
Feedback regarding the new tools remains polarizing. Some players acknowledged that the studio has made efforts to address complaints by implementing updates like 5v5 matches and altering game mechanics to reduce steamrolling. "They added a balance patch recently that made the loot phase shorter since people thought it was boring,” one user commented, reflecting a sliver of hope that improvements may entice returning players. Yet, many still ponder if these updates are arriving too late to salvage their trust.
Others express frustration over the lack of initial content. "Highguard felt like some closed beta skeleton of a game with only 8 playable characters," one player observed, questioning the four-year development process that led to such a bare launch.
The Future Remains Uncertain
As Highguard navigates through this tumultuous period, the quality of its updates and the studio's long-term plans will be scrutinized. Experts estimate there's only a 30% chance that new features can revitalize the game without structural changes within the studio, such as hiring back developers or redefining focus.
Key Insights
🔄 Player Engagement: Only around 1,000 active players remain on Steam.
🚪 Layoffs Impact: Terminating the dev team has fueled skepticism about future releases.
💡 Hope for Updates: Some players remain cautiously optimistic about new features, though doubts persist about timely enhancements.
In closing, the real question remains: Can these new features genuinely rekindle player interest, or has the damage to community trust already set in? Only time will tell as the gaming scene evolves.