Highguard release date, gameplay details, crossplay and latest news

During The Game Awards 2025, Wildlight Entertainment, comprised of former Respawn Entertainment (Titanfall, Apex Legends) developers, announced its upcoming free-to-play PvP shooter highguard, and we’ve got everything you need to know, from its release date, gameplay and latest news.

We’ll also take a look at what platforms Highguard is coming to, as well as whether Highguard supports crossplay.

Sadly, though, when looking at the game’s reception online, we may have something of another Concord situation on our hands, but hopefully not, as every game will have an audience, but it can only work if it is large enough.

But without further ado, read on for all things Highguard.

When is the Highguard release date?

The Highguard release date is 26th January 2026.

As of writing, there is no announced launch time, so we don’t know if it will release simultaneously across all regions, or will be staggered so as not to put too much strain on the servers.

Once we know more, we will update you as soon as we can!

Is Highguard free-to-play?

Yes, Highguard is free-to-play.

While the price of entry will be free, there will no doubt be in-game transactions, such as skins.

Currently, there is no word on season passes or battle passes, but we can assume that they will be a staple, too, as is the case with games such as Fortnite.

Which consoles and platforms can play Highguard?

Highguard is coming to PC, PS5 and Xbox Series consoles.

Currently, there is no word of a Nintendo Switch 2 version, but looking at the minimum system requirements for playing it on PC, it seems eminently doable.

Perhaps if Highguard is well received by players, developers Wildlight Entertainment will stretch to a port.

Certainly, expanding the playerbase will help it survive in the long run.

Is Highguard crossplay?

Yes, Highguard supports full cross-play and cross-progression across all launch platforms.

This means that if you play on PC, and you have friends who live in PlayStation and Xbox land, you will all be able to play together, and if you want to play on a different device, your stats will carry over.

Crossplay is crucial for free-to-play multiplayer games, as the bigger its audience, the better chance it has of sticking the landing.

Highguard gameplay details

On the surprisingly spartan Highguard Steam page, developers Wildlight Entertainment describe the game as "a PvP raid shooter where players will ride, fight, and raid as Wardens, arcane gunslingers sent to fight for control of a mythical continent".

It then goes on to say that players will "Battle rival Warden crews for possession of the Shieldbreaker, then break into and destroy the enemy base to secure territory in this all-new breed of shooter".

And that’s quite literally it, other than from what we can glean from the trailer, of which can be viewed just below!

Is there a Highguard trailer?

Yes, there is a Highguard trailer!

The trailer was revealed as part of The Game Awards 2025, and, after a swathe of free-to-play games coming out in the last few years, it would seem that a sort of fatigue has set in, with many deriding the game in the comments.

As Paul Tassi for Forbes points out, every Highguard trailer has “close to a 1:10 negative like/dislike ratio”.

From the footage, Highguard appears to be a perfectly good-looking PvP shooter, with interesting mechanics, classes, weapons and a fairly unique setting.

The reaction is most likely down to how saturated the market has become. What do you think?

Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.