WWildlight 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.
Work here?Claim your company
Industries
Company Size
1-10
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Los Angeles, CA
Founded
2021
See people who can refer or advise you
Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?
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.
Game File sources report this. However, the size of the investment is not specified.
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]
Find jobs on Simplify and start your career today
We update Wildlight Entertainment's jobs every few hours, so check again soon!Browse all jobs
Industries
Company Size
1-10
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Los Angeles, CA
Founded
2021
Find jobs on Simplify and start your career today
We update Wildlight Entertainment's jobs every few hours, so check again soon!Browse all jobs