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Wildlight Entertainment

Remote-first game studio developing live-service shooters

Overview

Wildlight Entertainment is a remote-first game studio founded in 2022 by veterans from Respawn, Sony Santa Monica, and Infinity Ward, aiming to build large original gaming universes. Its debut title Highguard is a free-to-play PvP raid shooter released for PS5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S, monetized through in-game items and battle passes. Highguard blends first-person shooter gameplay with mounted combat and destructible environments, and supports cross-platform multiplayer and live-service updates on Unreal Engine 5. The company differentiates itself with leadership from major franchises and a culture of mutual trust and open communication, pursuing a persistent, collaborative universe rather than small, isolated games.

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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 SoftwareEntertainmentGaming

Company Size

1-10

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Los Angeles, CA

Founded

2021

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What believers are saying

  • Highguard drew over 2 million players before March 2026, proving initial audience reach.
  • Wildlight still shipped a final March 2026 content update, showing strong execution under pressure.
  • Its December 2025 reveal at The Game Awards delivered instant global awareness.

What critics are saying

  • Wildlight shut Highguard on March 12, 2026, destroying its only product and revenue.
  • February 2026 layoffs cut Wildlight to a core team after Tencent/TiMi funding vanished.
  • Without a new publisher by 2027, Wildlight dissolves with no surviving live-service business.

What makes Wildlight Entertainment unique

  • Wildlight's remote-first team combined Respawn, Infinity Ward, and Sony Santa Monica veterans.
  • Dusty Welch, Jason McCord, and Chad Grenier brought Apex Legends and Titanfall credibility.
  • The studio pitched original universe-building after its December 11, 2025 Game Awards reveal.

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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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