Wildlight Entertainment

Wildlight Entertainment

Remote-first game studio developing live-service shooters

Overview

Wildlight Entertainment is a remote-first studio that builds large-scale original video game universes. Its debut game Highguard is a free-to-play PvP raid shooter for PS5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S, featuring Wardens and team-based matches with cosmetic microtransactions. The team combines AAA development experience from Respawn, Sony Santa Monica, and Infinity Ward with a trust-based, open-communication culture and remote/hybrid work across LA and Seattle. The goal is to create and sustain a popular live-service title within a broader original universe, supported by ongoing updates and cross‑platform play.

About Wildlight Entertainment

Simplify's Rating
Why Wildlight Entertainment is rated
D
Rated D+ on Competitive Edge
Rated D+ on Growth Potential
Rated D- on Differentiation

Industries

Consumer Software

Entertainment

Gaming

Company Size

1-10

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Los Angeles, California

Founded

2021

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Highguard reached nearly 100,000 concurrent players at launch on January 26, 2026.
  • More than 2 million players logged into Highguard before March 2026 shutdown.
  • Wildlight's veteran team and TiMi-backed production pedigree still attract publishers and acquirers.

What critics are saying

  • Tencent pulled funding in February 2026, and Wildlight laid off most staff immediately.
  • Highguard shuts down March 12, 2026, killing the studio's only shipped product.
  • If Wildlight cannot launch another hit by 2027, the studio disappears entirely.

What makes Wildlight Entertainment unique

  • Wildlight recruited Respawn veterans Dusty Welch, Chad Grenier, and Jason McCord in 2022.
  • The studio built Highguard as a cross-play, cross-progression shooter across PS5, Xbox, and PC.
  • Wildlight sold remote-first autonomy and original universes, not licensed-franchise content.

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Benefits

Unlimited Paid Time Off

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Parental Leave

Company News

GameSpot
Feb 18th, 2026
Tencent backed Highguard studio Wildlight through TiMi division, reports say

Highguard developer Wildlight Entertainment received funding from Chinese internet giant Tencent through its TiMi division, according to reports from The Game Business and Game File. Wildlight had described itself as "fully-funded" but never disclosed its backers. The revelation has raised questions about potential connections between Tencent's involvement and recent layoffs at Wildlight, though no direct correlation has been established. Tencent's Steven Ma sits on The Game Awards advisory board, where Highguard received the final showcase slot for free, whilst other spots cost up to $1 million. Highguard launched in January 2026 to middling reviews and poor reception. Subsequent layoffs reduced Wildlight to a "core" team, casting doubt on promised post-launch content. The game's official website remains offline.

WN Hub
Feb 18th, 2026
Media: Tencent was the main investor in Highguard at the early stages

Game File sources report this. However, the size of the investment is not specified.

TriplePoint PR
Dec 12th, 2025
Wildlight Entertainment Reveals Highguard at The Game Awards, Launching in January 2026

Wildlight Entertainment reveals Highguard at the Game Awards, launching in January 2026. Los Angeles, Calif. - December 11, 2025 - At tonight's Game Awards, Wildlight Entertainment revealed Highguard, its debut, free-to-play, PvP raid shooter. In Highguard, players will ride, fight, and raid as Wardens, arcane gunslingers sent to fight for control of a mythical continent. Battle rival warden crews for control of the Shieldbreaker, then break into and destroy the enemy base to secure victory in this all-new breed of shooter. The game launches on January 26, 2026, with cross-play and cross-progression across PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. View the trailer here and find the media kit here. "We're a veteran team who've spent years together, creating some of the biggest hits in gaming, including Apex Legends, Call of Duty, and Titanfall. With our first game, we are hyper-focused on creating a new gaming universe of similarly epic scale and quality," said Dusty Welch, Co-Founder and CEO of Wildlight. "We created Wildlight because we wanted a game studio where design leads and new games can be built without compromise," said Chad Grenier, Co-Founder & Game Director, Wildlight Entertainment. "Its time on Apex Legends and Titanfall taught Triplepointpr a lot about what it takes to build and sustain a successful franchise. Founded in 2021, Wildlight has been quietly working on Highguard over the past four years. The studio plans to share more throughout January, leading up to the launch on the 26th. Follow 'PlayHighguard' on X and YouTube for all the latest info, as well as future updates. Wishlist the game on Steam. About Wildlight Entertainment Wildlight Entertainment is an independent game studio built by a close-knit team of veteran developers behind some of the industry's most influential shooters, including Apex Legends, Titanfall, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. Wildlight is committed to delivering genre-defining, player-first experiences at epic quality and scale. The studio is remote-first and prides itself on keeping teams nimble, empowering developers to make decisions, and fostering a culture of trust that encourages bold ideas and creative risk-taking. Wildlight's debut title, Highguard, marks the first chapter in a connected universe the studio plans to grow over the next decade. For more information, visit https://www.wildlight.gg/. Follow Wildlight Entertainment on X, Facebook, and Instagram. PR Contact TriplePoint PR on behalf of Wildlight [email protected]

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