Former Wildlight developer Josh Sobel expressed his discontent regarding the reception of their game, Highguard, which debuted after a controversial trailer at The Game Awards 2025. Despite initial positive internal feedback, the game’s launch in January was met with substantial criticism, particularly about its map size and game format. Consequently, several developers were fired shortly after its release.
Sobel reflected on the negative shift in public perception following the trailer, arguing that the game’s marketing led to misconceptions and a slew of derogatory comments online. Review bombing further tarnished the game’s launch, with many players not completing essential tutorials before posting negative reviews. He emphasized that while not solely responsible for the negative feedback, gamer culture played a significant role in shaping the game’s fate.
Despite the turmoil, Sobel noted that a core team continues to support Highguard, and other industry developers have voiced solidarity, underscoring the challenges faced by new game launches. Sobel expressed no regret about his experience, though he acknowledged the emotional difficulty of the project’s outcome.
