Leaked Screenshots Reveal Avalanche’s Canceled “Contraband” Game
▼ Summary
– Contraband, a co-op smuggling game set in the 1970s by Avalanche Studios, was cancelled after its 2021 announcement with few official details released.
– Recently surfaced concept art and UI mockups reveal the game would have featured a stylized art style and 4-player co-op teams.
– The UI indicated a progression system based on criminal rankings like Hustler and Smuggler, and showcased a map named Downtown with a nocturnal setting.
– Following the cancellation, Avalanche Studios underwent significant restructuring, including closing its Liverpool division and reducing staff.
– The studio’s future is uncertain, with its flagship Just Cause franchise also facing an unclear path after a cancelled fifth installment.
For those following Xbox’s evolving lineup, the cancellation of Avalanche Studios’ co-op smuggling game “Contraband” remains a notable disappointment. Initially unveiled in 2021 as a “co-op smuggler’s paradise” set against a 1970s backdrop, the project generated early excitement before fading from public view. Apart from rumors of well-received playtests, official updates were scarce, leaving only the original teaser trailer as a point of reference.
Recently surfaced screenshots, originally part of a UI artist’s portfolio, now provide a rare glimpse into what the game might have offered. These images focus heavily on the matchmaking interface, displaying a distinctly stylized visual approach that stood apart from realism. Character portraits, in particular, suggest Avalanche was pursuing a bold, illustrative art direction, though it’s worth noting some character images were later identified as unrelated Marvel fan art and not indicative of the final product.
From the user interface, it’s clear Contraband was designed around four-player cooperative teams. A progression system appears to have been structured around criminal rankings, tiers like Hustler, Bandit, Smuggler, and Baron, implying a career path built around illicit success. One map, labeled “Downtown,” depicts a neon-drenched street at night, reinforcing the atmospheric, after-hours tone fitting for a smuggling adventure.
Beyond menus and concept art, a blurred background in one screenshot hints at an in-game location resembling a dimly lit safe house. Stacked crates and boxes fill the space, suggesting this area could have served as a central hub or recruitment zone for players.
The cancellation of Contraband has left Avalanche Studios in a period of transition. The studio underwent internal restructuring, including the closure of its Liverpool office and staff reductions across multiple teams. Compounding this uncertainty is the unclear future of the Just Cause series, another major franchise linked to the developer. A planned fifth installment by Sumo Digital was also canceled, leaving fans to wonder what’s next for both the studio and its beloved IPs.
In a video game industry marked by frequent project shifts and studio reorganizations, Avalanche’s direction remains unclear. While a return to the Just Cause universe would satisfy many, the path forward is anything but certain.
(Source: MP 1st)
