It’s been a few weeks since The Game Awards, and while the hype around most reveals has already cooled, questions are starting to surface about the show’s final reveal: Highguard. Despite landing the coveted closing slot of the night, it turns out Highguard didn’t actually pay for the infamous finale placement.
The State of Highguard
According to a report from Forbes, Highguard never purchased its finale slot at The Game Awards—something that typically costs developers well into six figures for even a single minute of screen time. Instead, showrunner Geoff Keighley reportedly “just really liked the game and offered it to them.” While that might sound like a win, it could end up doing more harm than good.
That level of spotlight brings massive expectations, and right now, Highguard doesn’t look ready to meet them. The project already attracted attention thanks to its development team, which includes veterans from Apex Legends and Titanfall. Naturally, that pedigree raised hopes fast.
The problem is the game itself. Highguard appears to blend elements from MOBAs and hero shooters, and as more details trickle out—or rather, fail to—many players are starting to worry this could be another Concord-style situation: big names, big hype, and an unclear identity.
The Absence of Advertisement
What’s making things worse is the complete lack of follow-up. Since The Game Awards, Highguard’s studio has gone nearly silent. There’s been no new gameplay footage, no trailers, no showcases, and not even a dev blog to keep interest alive. Their social channels have been eerily quiet.
That silence has led many to assume the game simply isn’t ready—or doesn’t have much to show. While it’s possible the team is intentionally holding everything back, relying on The Game Awards as their one big marketing push, the strategy hasn’t inspired much confidence.
So is Highguard playing it close to the chest, or are we watching the early signs of another overhyped flop?
For more updates, be sure to keep an eye on our Other Games section.