The divergent paths of two seemingly similar online games launched this year, Marathon and Highguard, starkly illustrate how success is becoming increasingly elusive. What does achieving success truly mean for developers of online video games today? In 2026, the answer couldn’t be less clear: no one seems to have a definitive understanding.
Consider Highguard, which marked 2026’s inaugural major disappointment. Its launch on January 26th initially showed considerable promise, reaching a peak of 100,000 simultaneous players on Steam – not including those enjoying the game on PlayStation and Xbox, platforms that do not disclose their player counts publicly. As a free-to-play title, Highguard presented a minimal barrier to entry. Moreover, a prime advertising slot at the conclusion of December’s The Game Awards – a coveted spot typically reserved for established blockbuster creators, not emerging free-to-play ventures – generated substantial initial curiosity.