Dear Wildlight Entertainment, after you closed off The Game Awards, the tide seems to be going against you. Seemingly, at this stage. And, for me… I cringed when i saw the name Titanfall in your trailer. It made me think: How long will it take for “this one” to be shutdown. Just like Titanfall.
Solutions to Highguard’s poor reception
Avoid associating yourselves with the big name projects that you did in the past, it makes Wildlight Entertainment to appear like – just another AAA studio, here to take your money before they shutdown servers.
You’ll have to seriously consider adding an offline mode with bots.
Yes, I said it… the forbidden/taboo word – offline. Alongside the “b-word” – bots.
But, That is what you desperately need, and its NOT going to be something that can be implemented in the remaining time before launch. That ship has already sailed, the launch is going to give us yet-another online shooter, with online servers that are begging to be shutdown any day soon.
Start working on advanced bots like Halo Infinite’s bots
Halo Infinite has the most human-like/advanced bots that we have seen in ages! Highguard needs something like that. But… it needs to be made very clear that the player is in a single player mode, versus bots.
Don’t try to use bots (secretly) as a way to boast your server population, in order to attract online-gamers.
NO.
Rather be honest, and clear: Offline mode (no servers) with well-made (Halo Infinite bots). Additionally, the bots you make should be commandable. Players should be able to assign objectives and roles to the squad.
I know that all these features take money, expertise, and time.
But, its better to start doing those things now. Before the game launches and invertibly dies.
Conclusion on Highguard
Sometimes we get a really good game (like Battleborn) and the game fails to win the playerbase it needs. And then years later, we start to revist that game and finally appreciate it and its IP + mechanics (Google: Battleborn Reborn).
If Highguard focuses on an offline mode, it will allow this game to outlive its server shutdown. It will allow this game to find a new lease on life, even decades down the line. When a more open-minded playerbase digs the game up from the ashes.
Use Halo Infinite’s bot technology to guide you. Here is a video that breaks down why their bots are some of the best bots that we have ever had in a long while. I hope you’ll seriously consider this advice.
Are you also struggling to find good, enjoyable, high quality video games? Me too, along with good-chunk of modern gamers. And, because of that: I started a blog that showcases the problems we have (as gamers). Alongside the solutions we need, stuff like; reviving neglected genres, embracing offline gaming, and the power of having AI players (bots). Well-made offline bots, with adjustable difficulty levels.
