Editing News/Tencent Backed Highguard

{{News
|seo_title=Tencent Backed Highguard
|seo_keywords=Tencent
|image=Tencent.jpg
|tags=Tencent
|date=2026-02-18T13:24:08.000Z
|sources={{NewsSource
|source=SEA IGN
|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/tencent-was-quietly-backing-highguard-studio-according-to-report
|article=News/Tencent Backed Highguard
}}
|author=Andura
|category=More
|content='''TL;DR'''

* Tencent is reportedly the secret main investor behind Wildlight Entertainment, the studio that developed Highguard, according to sources cited by Game File.
* Wildlight recently laid off most of its staff, leaving only a small core team to keep supporting and updating the game after its January 2026 launch.
* The official Highguard website is currently down for simplification and transfer.

The troubled launch of Highguard, the free-to-play multiplayer shooter from Wildlight Entertainment, has taken another surprising turn. A new report claims that Chinese gaming giant Tencent served as the main financial backer for the studio behind the game.

Industry journalist Stephen Totilo at Game File broke the story, citing sources familiar with the situation. According to those insiders, [[Companies/Tencent|Tencent]], through its TiMi Studio Group division, provided the bulk of the funding for Wildlight Entertainment. This arrangement had not been publicly disclosed by either company until now.

Tencent ranks as one of the biggest players in the global video game industry. The company owns stakes in major names like Riot Games (behind League of Legends), Epic Games (Fortnite), and Ubisoft, among many others. It often invests in studios without taking full control, allowing them to stay independent.

Jean Pierre Kellams, who serves as Lead Producer at Epic Games, commented on the situation by noting that Tencent commonly provides funding to various development teams. "Tencent seeds funds to several studios, and as it is not a publisher, the studios backed financially can remain independent and make their own publishing deals," he shared.

Neither Tencent nor Wildlight Entertainment has commented on or confirmed the funding details at this time. The reasons for keeping the relationship under wraps remain unclear, and specifics like the exact amount or duration of the support have not surfaced.

This revelation arrives during a difficult period for Highguard and its team. The game launched on January 26, 2026, across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox following its reveal at The Game Awards. Despite featuring veterans from hits like Call of Duty, Apex Legends, and Titanfall, the title faced criticism and struggled to hold onto players.

Just weeks after release, reports emerged of major staff reductions at Wildlight. Former employees, including a senior level designer, shared on platforms like LinkedIn that most of the team had been let go. The studio quickly issued an official statement acknowledging the changes.



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