Highguard Global Release Times Confirmed for January 2026

The highly anticipated free-to-play PvP raid shooter Highguard has officially confirmed its global release schedule. Following a debut at The Game Awards 2025, the title is set to launch across multiple platforms on January 26, 2026.

Developed by a team including veterans from Respawn Entertainment, the game promises a unique blend of high-stakes combat and mythic world-building. Players will step into the boots of Wardens, arcane gunslingers tasked with fighting for control of a sprawling, contested continent.

The confirmation of release times comes as part of a broader launch showcase announcement, signaling the final countdown to one of the year's most anticipated new IPs. The showcase is expected to provide the deepest look yet at the game's mechanics and long-term roadmap.

After a period of relative quiet following its initial reveal, Highguard reemerged with a promise of a comprehensive launch showcase. This event is designed to pull back the curtain on the game's core mechanics and future content plans.

The showcase will be the primary source of new information since the game's debut trailer. It is slated to include:

• A full gameplay deep dive
• Reveals of year one content plans
• Additional unannounced features

This event represents a critical moment for the development team to address community questions and demonstrate the final product before its release. The focus will be on translating the initial cinematic vision into tangible gameplay systems.

The confirmed launch times for Highguard are staggered across the globe to ensure a coordinated worldwide release. The schedule, initially detailed for the Steam platform, indicates a simultaneous launch across all major systems.

Players can expect the game to go live on Monday, January 26, 2026, for most regions:

• PST (San Francisco): 10:00 AM
• CST (Austin, Mexico City): 12:00 PM
• EST (New York): 1:00 PM
• GMT (London): 6:00 PM
• CET (Paris): 7:00 PM

For regions crossing into the next day, the launch is scheduled for Tuesday, January 27, 2026:

• JST (Tokyo): 3:00 AM
• CST (Beijing): 3:00 AM
• AEST (Sydney): 5:00 AM
• NZST (Wellington): 7:00 AM

While these times are confirmed for the Steam release, it is anticipated that the launch will be synchronized across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S.

Highguard positions itself within the competitive PvP raid shooter genre, but with a distinct fantasy twist. The premise centers on players assuming the role of Wardens, described as arcane gunslingers.

These characters are sent to fight for dominance over a mythic continent, suggesting a setting that blends traditional shooter mechanics with high-fantasy elements. The core gameplay loop involves riding, fighting, and raiding, indicating a mix of traversal, combat, and objective-based missions.

The development team includes creators who previously worked on acclaimed titles such as Apex Legends and Titanfall at Respawn Entertainment. This pedigree has generated significant initial interest, though the game has also faced a degree of online negativity since its first reveal.

Highguard will be available on all major modern platforms at launch, ensuring broad accessibility for the player base. The confirmed platforms include:

• PC (via Steam)
• PlayStation 5
• Xbox Series X and S

As a free-to-play title, the barrier to entry is low, which is a strategic choice for a PvP-focused game aiming to build a large, active community quickly. The simultaneous release across all platforms is designed to foster a unified player ecosystem from day one.

The confirmation of Highguard's release times marks the final stage of its pre-launch phase. With the launch showcase imminent, all eyes are on the developers to deliver a compelling gameplay experience that lives up to the pedigree of its creators.

The key dates are now set, and the global gaming community is preparing for the January 26 launch. The success of the title will likely hinge on the depth of its gameplay systems and the long-term engagement offered by its year-one plans.

As the release date approaches, the focus will shift from anticipation to evaluation, with players ready to judge whether the promise of its mythic, gunslinger-filled world can be fully realized.