Wildlight Entertainment is shaking things up in Highguard this weekend, dropping a surprise experimental mode in Update 1.004 that cranks the player count up for maximum chaos.
What changed most: The introduction of a temporary 5v5 Raid Mode playlist. This changes the core dynamic from a tight-knit 3v3 to a much more hectic 10-player battlefield, a test that the developers openly admit may impact performance.
- Platforms: PC and Consoles
- Release: (5v5 mode is a weekend-only event)
- Developer: Wildlight Entertainment
- Genre: Tactical FPS
According to the patch notes, the new 5v5 Raid Mode is a limited-time experimental playlist designed to test the waters for larger-scale combat. The developers have been clear this is not a replacement for the core 3v3 experience, which remains untouched. To accommodate the extra players, the rules have been tweaked: teams now have 10 shared lives instead of 6, and respawn timers have been extended to give teams more time to plant or defuse generators.
The studio is being refreshingly transparent about potential performance issues. In a developer note, they stated, adding 4 more players to the game is not going to improve performance, right? Please keep that in mind as you try 5v5!
This update also introduces a new base map called Soul Well, though details on its layout are still emerging.
Beyond the new mode, Update 1.004 delivers some much-needed optimizations across the board. The developers have targeted animation performance, projectiles, and draw submission times, which should provide a smoother experience in the standard 3v3 mode on both PC and consoles. PC players also gain a motion blur toggle, while console players get toggles for both motion blur and anisotropic materials.
This patch is a mix of a major experimental feature, a new map, and crucial system-level improvements. Here are the key changes from the official notes.
- Experimental 5v5 Raid Mode Playlist (Weekend only)
- Raid lives increased from 6 to 10 for 5v5 mode
- Respawn timers are slightly longer in 5v5
- New Base added: Soul Well
- Core optimizations for animations, projectiles, and draw submission times
- Motion blur toggle added for PC and consoles
- Anisotropic materials toggle added for consoles
The developer, Wildlight Entertainment, is managing expectations directly with the community through notes in the patch release. They are positioning the 5v5 mode purely as an experiment and are asking for player feedback while acknowledging the technical hurdles. One developer note directly addresses a limitation of the test: Firing Range does not support 5v5 at this time, so the Play button will be grayed out if your party is over 3.
This kind of transparent, early-access style communication is often appreciated by players who value being part of the development process, even if it means playing less-than-perfect builds. The focus is clearly on data gathering for the future of Highguard’s game modes.
If you and your squad have been craving larger, more chaotic firefights in Highguard, this weekend is your chance to dive in. The 5v5 Raid Mode is a glimpse into what could be, and player participation will likely shape its future. For those who prioritize buttery-smooth framerates, you might want to stick to the classic 3v3 mode, which should feel even better now thanks to the new optimizations. It’s a solid update that offers both a wild new experiment and foundational improvements for the core game.
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