The short life of Highguard ends with one final update

Highguard had a short and turbulent life in the world of online shooters. The game launched on January 26, 2026, hoping to carve out space in the crowded live-service market. Built around fast team-based matches and character-driven gameplay, it attracted curiosity early on. Millions of players reportedly tried the game in its first weeks, but momentum faded quickly. Without a stable player base, the developers confirmed that the game will shut down permanently on March 12, 2026. That means Highguard will have been available for less than two months, which is an extremely short lifespan for a modern multiplayer title.

Even though the shutdown announcement came fast, the team decided not to simply pull the plug. Instead, they prepared one last update to give players a final round of new content before the servers go offline. It’s a farewell patch meant to celebrate what the game could have become if things had gone differently.

One last update before the servers go dark

The final update adds several gameplay features that players had been asking for. A new Warden joins the roster, bringing another playable character with unique abilities. The patch also introduces a new weapon, which changes the flow of combat and offers new loadout possibilities for the last weeks of play.

Alongside those additions, the update expands the progression system. Players will see account-level progression and new skill trees, giving them more ways to customize their playstyle. It’s a surprising amount of content for a game that is about to close its servers, and it shows that the developers wanted to leave the community with something memorable rather than ending things quietly.

For players looking to move on after Highguard’s shutdown, there are already some solid games available that can easily fill the gap. The Outer Worlds 2 has already landed and continues to draw a large crowd thanks to its deep RPG systems and open-ended approach to storytelling. Players travel across different planets, take on quests in multiple ways, and shape the story through their decisions. Much like the first game, it mixes exploration, combat, and humor in a way that keeps people coming back for more. With a strong player base and constant discussion in the community, it’s one of the RPGs that looks set to stay popular for a long time.

Another strong option right now is ARC Raiders, which has also built a healthy and active player community since release. The game mixes cooperative gameplay with extraction-style mechanics, placing players in dangerous environments where teamwork is essential. Squads venture into large maps, gather resources, and fight both enemy machines and other players while trying to make it out safely. The tension of each run and the constant risk of losing valuable loot keep matches exciting. Thanks to regular updates and a player base that keeps growing, ARC Raiders is shaping up to have a strong future among multiplayer shooters.

If you’re planning to jump into one of these upcoming games, make sure you use our price comparison tool to find the best deals available. It’s a quick way to save money and grab the best price for ARC Raiders or The Outer Worlds 2 before launch.