Highguard drops today as free-to-play PvP raid shooter, 10am PT

Highguard drops today as a free-to-play PvP raid shooter from the creators of Apex Legends and Titanfall. The launch hits at 10am PT across PC, PS5, and Xbox. Expect fast-paced raids, destructible maps, and Wardens wielding magic guns.

Apex Legends Veterans Launch New Competitive Raid Shooter Today

Wildlight Entertainment, led by veterans from Respawn who worked on Apex Legends and Titanfall, finally reveals Highguard after weeks of silence. The game blends fast gunplay with magical abilities, putting players in the role of Wardens who ride mounts and raid enemy bases. Each match runs short and intense, demanding teamwork and split-second decisions.

The studio went dark after its December Game Awards reveal, but reemerged this week with a launch showcase that confirms the game is real and locking in today.

Raid Mode Flips Genre Expectations on Their Head

Highguard ditches traditional deathmatch for Raid Mode, where one team attacks and another defends a destructible base. Players earn Vesper currency during combat, then spend it in-match to buy weapons and upgrades that shift power levels mid-raid. Base walls crumble under siege, towers topple, and overtime phases force final, desperate team wipes that define victory.

The five classes are Assault, Defensive, Recon, Support, and Destruction. Each Warden brings a unique role: gap closers for rushes, damage soak for defense, vision control for tracking, revives for sustain, and siege tools for demolishing fortifications.

What Wardens, Classes, and Gameplay Systems You’ll Master

Highguard launched with 8 playable Wardens, each with two signature weapons and an ultimate ability that transforms combat instantly. Gunplay stays rifle and shotgun focused, but heavy machine guns, rocket launchers, and melee axes open tactical variety. Lightning spears and destructive ultimates reward skill timing and positioning.

Feature	Details
Match Duration	Short, intense raids under constant time pressure
Map Destruction	Walls, towers, and bases crumble as raids progress
Mount System	Rideable mounts for rotation speed and mounted combat
Vesper Economy	In-match currency for weapons and upgrade spikes

Cross-play and cross-progression mean your Warden follows you across PC, PS5, and Xbox. Squad up with anyone, anywhere, and carry your progress through every raid without friction.

“From the creators of Apex Legends and Titanfall, comes Highguard: a PvP raid shooter where players will ride, fight, and raid as Wardens, arcane gunslingers sent to fight for control of a mythical continent.”

— Wildlight Entertainment, Official Steam Description

Launch Showcase Goes Live at 10am PT Today

Wildlight will stream a launch showcase at the same moment servers open, delivering a full gameplay deep dive, year one roadmap, and studio commentary. Watch on YouTube to see Raid Mode in action, Warden ability combos, and destruction physics that shape map control. The broadcast coincides with global launch times across 1pm ET, 6pm GMT, and 7pm CET.

The silence around Highguard broke only days ago, so expect the showcase to answer burning questions about progression systems, cosmetics, seasonal plans, and post-launch content roadmap.

Will Highguard Capture the Competitive Shooter Audience Today?

Apex Legends and Titanfall built massive followings through fast movement, unique hero abilities, and skill-rewarding gunplay. Highguard tackles the same formula but pivots to objective-based raids instead of elimination fights. The destructible environment, economy mechanics, and team role focus push toward tactical coordination over raw fragging power. If Wildlight delivers server stability, balanced patching, and compelling seasonal content, the studio could capture players burned out on battle royales and standard team shooters. Today’s launch determines if Highguard becomes the next competitive dark horse or a forgotten Game Awards announcements.

Sources

• Steam Store – Official Highguard store page with confirmed January 26, 2026 launch date and developer information
• IGN – Global release times confirmed and launch showcase announcement details
• Boostmatch – Comprehensive overview of Highguard features, classes, economy, and platform details