Highguard 1.0.4 Patch Analysis: How FOV Sliders and New Settings Fix a Rocky Launch

The launch of Highguard was met with crashing servers and missing settings. Just three days later, Patch 1.0.4 aims to fix both.

When the debut title from ex-Respawn developers at Wildlight Entertainment went live on January 26, 2024, its promising anticipation was quickly overshadowed by a wave of technical problems. The patch released on January 29 is not merely a list of bug fixes; it's a foundational, critical response designed to stabilize the experience and, more importantly, signal to players that the studio is listening. For a game needing to win back trust, this update represents the essential first step.

The Headliners: Player-Requested Controls and Customization

The most celebrated additions in 1.0.4 are those that give control back to the player, directly addressing the loudest complaints from the community.

Foremost is the monumental addition of an FOV (Field of View) slider for console players on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, adjustable up to 110. In modern first-person shooters, the ability to adjust FOV is non-negotiable. A wider field reduces motion sickness for some and provides a critical tactical advantage by increasing peripheral vision. Its absence at launch for console players was a significant oversight, placing Highguard behind the standard set by its competitors for years. Its implementation is a direct concession to player demand and a move toward parity with the PC version.

Alongside this, Patch 1.0.4 introduces crucial toggle/hold options for Crouch across all platforms. This simple choice caters to individual playstyles and accessibility needs, removing a point of friction in moment-to-moment gameplay. For PC players, the patch also adds toggle/hold functionality for Aim Down Sights (ADS). These options are about more than preference; they are about fundamental gameplay comfort and ensuring players aren't fighting their controls. By adding them, Wildlight is bringing Highguard in line with the baseline expectations for a contemporary FPS.

A Deeper Dive: Enhanced Video and Performance Settings

Beyond the headline controls, Patch 1.0.4 delivers a suite of granular video settings that empower players to fine-tune performance and visual preference. This is where the patch shifts from fixing omissions to demonstrating a commitment to PC enthusiasts and players on lower-end hardware.

New granular controls include a "View Distance Quality" setting for Level of Detail (LOD) management and individual toggles for Anisotropic Materials, Chromatic Aberration, and Bloom. These allow players to dial in their preferred aesthetic, disabling potentially distracting post-processing effects like chromatic aberration—a frequent community request.

Two additions stand out for their impact. Players now have the ability to disable Global Illumination entirely, a feature that can be notoriously demanding on system resources. For those seeking every possible frame, this is a powerful tool. Furthermore, the addition of a DLSS preset selector for PC players with compatible NVIDIA hardware provides a streamlined path to better performance or enhanced visual fidelity through AI-powered upscaling.

The patch notes also specifically mention tuning the "Low" settings for shadows and reflections. This targeted optimization highlights a focus on improving the experience for players without top-tier hardware, ensuring the game is accessible and performs smoothly across a broader range of systems.

Stability First: Major Bug and Crash Fixes

While new features are welcome, Patch 1.0.4's most critical role is addressing the instability that plagued Highguard's launch. The disruptive crashes—such as those on PS5 when leaving a match, which could abruptly end a play session—directly eroded player morale and the willingness to experiment. The update targets these high-profile issues that directly blocked play.

A key fix resolves an engine bug that was incorrectly capping frame rates at 60 FPS for some laptop users, a frustrating limitation for players with high-refresh-rate displays. On the console side, Wildlight tackled crashes related to leaving matches on PS5, a disruptive bug that punished players for a routine action. Improvements to loading logic for slower storage devices also aim to prevent hangs and crashes when entering matches.

Perhaps the most significant claim in the notes is the developer's statement that these collective fixes have resulted in a "90% reduction in crashes." If borne out in player experience, this statistic underscores the patch's primary mission: to transform Highguard from an unstable experiment into a reliably playable game. Additional fixes for online presence, matchmaking, and friend list updates further polish the core social and connective tissue of the multiplayer experience.

Looking Ahead: What the Patch Notes Promise for the Future

Crucially, Patch 1.0.4 doesn't present itself as a finish line, but as a milestone in an ongoing process. The notes explicitly confirm a short-term roadmap, building confidence that support will continue.

Confirmed upcoming features include toggle options for Motion Blur and Depth of Field, which the studio states are coming "very soon." Furthermore, the patch acknowledges that many of the new settings are currently English-only, promising full localization for all settings menus in the future. Perhaps most tellingly, the notes confirm that the toggle ADS functionality, currently only for PC, is planned for console players in an update. This admission shows Wildlight views this patch as part of a phased rollout, not a complete solution.

This forward-looking approach is framed by the developer's own statement about applying lessons learned from the launch of Apex Legends. The message is clear: Wildlight Entertainment is intent on avoiding a prolonged "fix-it" phase and is committed to a strategy of long-term, responsive support.

Patch 1.0.4 successfully tackles Highguard's launch crisis on two essential fronts. It delivers urgent stability fixes aimed at making the game simply work, while simultaneously granting players long-requested agency over their experience through crucial settings and controls. It is, by all measures, a strong and necessary first step.

However, the work is demonstrably incomplete. The pending console ADS toggle, the unlocalized menus, and the promised motion blur controls are reminders that this is a foundation, not a finished product. The patch's true success will be measured by whether it becomes the first in a consistent, transparent series of updates. For now, Patch 1.0.4 has provided the essential stability and player control that Highguard needed to begin its fight for a lasting future.