### The Hill Highguard is Dying On: Player Counts Apparently Don’t Matter
Ah, the sweet sound of developers brushing off player concerns like crumbs off a gaming desk. In a recent interview, Highguard’s lead developer casually dropped a hot take that’s spicier than your gaming laptop after a 12-hour session: player counts don’t matter. Yep, you read that right. Who needs actual players when you’ve got a “vision” to stick to, right?
If you’ve somehow missed the memo, Highguard is the latest attempt at a multiplayer fantasy gaming experience—think *World of Warcraft* meets *Elden Ring*, but, you know, with fewer players actually playing it. According to this delightfully eyebrow-raising Dexerto article, the developers have taken a bold stance against the tyranny of “metrics” and “data.” Because who needs pesky numbers when you have vibes?
### Let’s Talk About That Bold Statement
So what exactly did the Highguard dev say? Something along the lines of: *”The player count is not important. What matters is the experience we’re creating for those who are here.”* Translation: *”We know the game is about as crowded as a library at midnight, but hey, quality over quantity, right?”*
And sure, that sounds noble in theory. But in practice? If your game’s “experience” is so exclusive that only a handful of players are sticking around to enjoy it, maybe—just maybe—it’s time to reevaluate your priorities.
### Why Player Counts Actually Do Matter (Shocking, I Know)
Let’s break it down for our dear Highguard devs:
– **Multiplayer Games Literally Rely on… Other Players**
– The “multi” in multiplayer? Yeah, kind of a big deal. Without a decent player base, your game is just a glorified solo campaign with occasional awkward interactions.
– **Low Player Counts = Dead Servers**
– What’s worse than logging into a game only to find out the only “player” online is an NPC? Spoiler: nothing.
– **Word of Mouth Matters**
– Happy players tell their friends. Empty servers tell the internet. Guess which one helps your game’s longevity?
### A Brief History of Games That Ignored Player Counts (And Paid the Price)
Highguard isn’t the first game to turn a blind eye to its dwindling player base. Here’s a quick look at some other games that tried—and failed—to convince us that players don’t matter:
– **Anthem**: Remember this gem? EA’s great sci-fi hope turned into a ghost town faster than you can say “live-service disaster.”
– **LawBreakers**: Cliff Bleszinski’s ill-fated shooter had “style,” but apparently, style alone doesn’t keep servers alive.
– **Crucible**: Amazon’s first attempt at gaming glory lasted about as long as a free trial of Prime.
### Pros & Cons of Ignoring Player Counts
**Pros:**
– You get to keep pretending your game is a “hidden gem.”
– Less stress about pesky server maintenance—because, well, no one’s using them.
– You’ll save a fortune on marketing (because why bother?).
**Cons:**
– The game dies.
– The community dies.
– Your reputation dies.
– Did we mention the game dies?
### What Highguard Can Do to Turn Things Around
All sarcasm aside, Highguard isn’t doomed just yet. Here are a few ways the devs could salvage their game:
1. **Listen to Player Feedback**
– Shocking, I know. But maybe—just maybe—listening to the people actually playing your game could help?
2. **Fix the Core Gameplay Issues**
– If players are leaving, there’s probably a reason. Fix it. Or at least pretend to try.
3. **Invest in Marketing**
– You can’t grow a player base if no one knows your game exists. It’s not rocket science, folks.
4. **Cross-Platform Play**
– The more platforms your game is on, the more players you can reach. Simple math.
### Final Thoughts: Highguard’s “Vision” vs. Reality
Look, we get it. Standing by your creative vision is important. But ignoring your player base in the name of “art” is a one-way ticket to irrelevance. Highguard has potential, but potential doesn’t pay the bills—or keep servers alive.
If the devs really want to make Highguard a success, they’ll need to stop pretending player counts don’t matter and start putting in the work to bring players back. Otherwise, the only “experience” they’ll have left is the experience of watching their game fade into obscurity.
### Call to Action
What do you think? Are player counts really as irrelevant as Highguard’s devs claim, or is this just wishful thinking? Let us know in the comments below—and don’t forget to check out our analysis of other gaming flops here. Oh, and while you’re at it, maybe share this article with your gaming friends. Because, you know, word of mouth actually matters.
For a deeper dive into the importance of player engagement in gaming, check out this insightful piece from Gamasutra.
