The air crackled with anticipation as Geoff Keighley built the hype. Then, silence. The gaming world collectively blinked, wondering, “That’s it?” Now, after weeks of quiet, the team behind Highguard is ready to talk—and they need to, after a reveal that landed with a thud.
Highguard, the brainchild of developers with Apex Legends pedigree, is gearing up for its official launch showcase after a rather disastrous debut at The Game Awards. The team has been quiet since then, but is now looking to reset expectations.
Mark your calendars: January 26 at 12pm CT (18:00 CET). Highguard premieres its final showcase ahead of release. Hopefully, this event will clarify exactly what the game is. The TGA trailer was big on spectacle, but short on details, only hinting at team-based gameplay with heroes, abilities, and some kind of siege element.
Second Chances
Imagine showing up to a party in the wrong outfit. That’s what the Highguard TGA reveal felt like: not inherently bad, but completely out of sync with the expectations of the room.
Details about this pre-launch promotion are sparse, and we’re keeping our ears open for any news. The TGA announcement left many feeling underwhelmed—not because Highguard looked bad, but because it was presented as the grand finale of the show, a spot many hoped would be filled by Half-Life 3 or another major IP.
The fact that it turned out to be another hero shooter (especially after Geoff Keighley name-dropped former Titanfall devs, stoking desires for a sequel or spiritual successor) didn’t resonate well.
Is Highguard a hero shooter?
It certainly seems that way. From the trailer, we can deduce elements that are often found in hero shooters, such as team-based gameplay, unique characters, and special abilities. Whether Highguard will subvert or elevate the genre conventions remains to be seen.
However, Highguard could still recover, and this pre-launch promotion might be a step in that direction. This game needs to be evaluated on its own merits, not just as a punchline to an unfortunate TGA moment.
The Highguard team had built a sandcastle, but the tide came in too soon. Now, they need to rebuild, brick by brick.
Hope Springs Eternal
I’m not sure I’m craving another hero shooter, but I believe everyone deserves a fair shot to show what they’ve created. I think Highguard was unjustly judged.
Who is developing Highguard?
Industry veterans known for their work on Apex Legends and other shooters are steering the ship. This pedigree suggests a focus on polished gameplay and tight mechanics, but the team needs to demonstrate that they can bring something new to a saturated market.
Ultimately, Highguard’s success may hinge on its ability to differentiate itself. Will it offer a fresh take on the hero shooter formula, or will it fade into the background noise?
We’ll know everything on January 26, I suppose.
What went wrong with the Highguard TGA reveal?
Expectations were simply too high. The placement of the reveal, coupled with Keighley’s hype, primed viewers for something massive. When Highguard turned out to be a new IP in a crowded genre, disappointment was inevitable. It’s a lesson in managing expectations, something every developer, from indie teams to juggernauts like Electronic Arts, must learn.
I won’t say that I’m excited for another hero shooter, but I want everyone to have a fair chance at showing what they’ve come up with, which I think Highguard was unjustly deprived of.
We’ll know everything on Jan. 26, I guess. Will you be tuning in, or has the initial fumble soured you on Highguard for good?