Highguard is not so Indie Afterall
Published Feb 20, 2026 • Duration: 09:34
People are furious about the Highguard disaster, the mass layoffs at Wildlight Entertainment, and the game flopping so quickly but a lot of folks are angry for the wrong reasons right now.
The recent revelation that Chinese tech giant Tencent was the undisclosed lead financial backer of Highguard has sparked a massive debate about what it actually means to be an "indie" studio. In this video, we break down the critical difference between a publisher and an investor, and why receiving funding from a massive conglomerate doesn't technically strip a studio of its independent status.
However, the real issue is the optics. From the presentation at The Game Awards to developers framing themselves as scrappy underdogs without corporate backing, the way Highguard was positioned to the public feels highly misleading. We dive into the "indie vibe check," the fallout of the recent layoffs, the current state of the game, and why the remaining players are turning their thumbs down.
👇 What are your thoughts on the Highguard situation and the Tencent reveal? Let me know in the comments below!
If you made it to the end and enjoyed the breakdown, please hit Like and Subscribe. We are currently working toward a new channel member goal, which allows me to do this full-time—so consider clicking Join to support the channel!
Welcome to Reforge Gaming, your daily destination for gamers talking gaming. We go beyond the headlines to give you details and opinions not just the hate or hype.
🎧 Episode Chapters
0:00 - Intro
0:51 - What Happened to Highguard
2:10 - Highguard is technically an Indie
4:02 - Highguard Failed the Vibe Check
6:37 - Questions about the Highguard Situation
7:52 - My Conclusion
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#highguard #ps5 #playstation #gaming #reforgegaming
The recent revelation that Chinese tech giant Tencent was the undisclosed lead financial backer of Highguard has sparked a massive debate about what it actually means to be an "indie" studio. In this video, we break down the critical difference between a publisher and an investor, and why receiving funding from a massive conglomerate doesn't technically strip a studio of its independent status.
However, the real issue is the optics. From the presentation at The Game Awards to developers framing themselves as scrappy underdogs without corporate backing, the way Highguard was positioned to the public feels highly misleading. We dive into the "indie vibe check," the fallout of the recent layoffs, the current state of the game, and why the remaining players are turning their thumbs down.
👇 What are your thoughts on the Highguard situation and the Tencent reveal? Let me know in the comments below!
If you made it to the end and enjoyed the breakdown, please hit Like and Subscribe. We are currently working toward a new channel member goal, which allows me to do this full-time—so consider clicking Join to support the channel!
Welcome to Reforge Gaming, your daily destination for gamers talking gaming. We go beyond the headlines to give you details and opinions not just the hate or hype.
🎧 Episode Chapters
0:00 - Intro
0:51 - What Happened to Highguard
2:10 - Highguard is technically an Indie
4:02 - Highguard Failed the Vibe Check
6:37 - Questions about the Highguard Situation
7:52 - My Conclusion
🤝 Support & Partnerships
You help power the show! Check out our great sponsors and affiliates:
Reforge Roast (Our Coffee Company!) COFFEE - https://reforgeroast.com/
SPRECHER - https://sprecherbrewery.com/?ref=LONO
GLASSES - Code LONO - https://gameradvantage.com/
INTO THE AM - Code LONO - https://intotheam.com/LONO
80STEES - Code LONO - https://www.80stees.com
AMAZON AFFILIATE - https://amzn.to/2YUOXR7
🎲 Reforge Gaming Community
The Reforge Gaming Community is built on unmatched audience interaction. Join our daily Live Video Game Podcast where we break down the biggest news, deliver expert analysis, and discuss your questions in real-time. Drop in, hang out, and drive the conversation!
MEMBERSHIP - https://www.youtube.com/ReforgeGaming/join
DISCORD - https://discord.gg/ReforgeTV
TWITTER - Https://twitter.com/ReforgeGaming
AUDIO - https://open.spotify.com/show/0FFSZQVL0dTcatnQKKOCNL
#highguard #ps5 #playstation #gaming #reforgegaming