What is the status of Contraband, the Xbox-backed cooperative game in development by Avalanche Studios, known for titles like Just Cause and Rage 2? The unveiling of the project took place in 2021, and news has been scarce since then. Nonetheless, with a significant Xbox Games Showcase on the horizon and previous whispers suggesting a potential 2024 release window for Contraband, anticipation has been building for a potential unveiling of the game in the near future.
However, it might be advisable to temper those expectations. During a recent episode of Colt Eastwood’s Xbox News Cast, one of the hosts, Magg, revealed that Contraband is not expected until “well into” 2025 due to the game still being in an early stage of development.
“I have received information indicating a delay. The release is now projected for well into 2025, possibly even towards the end of the year. The individuals I am in contact with, the footage I have seen, and the testers who provided their ad hoc reviews of the game all expressed that the game was entertaining and promising. However, it was a very preliminary build. For instance, the cars were devoid of drivers, their heads were invisible, essentially operating as ghost vehicles on the roads.”
While Magg’s credibility on leaks may be questionable, Tom Warren from The Verge, known for his trustworthy track record, intervened in the comments section during the podcast to confirm that “Contraband is still a considerable way off.”
Naturally, it’s prudent to approach this information cautiously for now, but it appears that Contraband isn’t being primed for an imminent launch by Xbox. In a related development, Avalanche recently revealed the closure of two of its North American studios in New York and Montreal, leading to approximately 50 layoffs, which accounts for around a tenth of their total staff. This leaves Avalanche with its primary European studios located in Stockholm, Liverpool, and Malmo, Sweden. Whether this consolidation is linked to the somewhat sluggish progress on Contraband remains uncertain.
Contraband is set to be released on PC and Xbox Series X/S. An official release timeframe has not been disclosed.
