5 /10 17

Contraband represented one of Xbox’s most ambitious co-op projects before its cancellation in August 2025. Developed by Avalanche Studios (creators of the Just Cause franchise) in partnership with Xbox Game Studios Publishing, Contraband was designed as a vehicle-first heist game set in the fictional 1970s world of Bayan. Even though the project ultimately halted before reaching players, understanding what Contraband aimed to achieve reveals valuable insights into where the action-adventure and co-op gaming landscape was heading in the mid-2020s. The game’s cancellation marked a significant setback for Xbox’s publishing ambitions, following years of development with minimal public information.

How to Play Contraband

Contraband centered on cooperative heist gameplay across an expansive open world, emphasizing planning, teamwork, and vehicular mastery as core pillars of the experience.

1. Controls – Vehicle-focused controls with emphasis on driving mechanics, weaponized vehicles, and environmental interaction rather than on-foot combat
2. Progression – Heist-based advancement system where completing jobs unlocked new crew members, vehicle upgrades, and access to higher-difficulty smuggling contracts
3. Combat/Mechanics – Non-lethal vehicular combat prioritizing vehicle disabling over destruction, with emphasis on protecting smuggled goods and maintaining operational stealth
4. Tips – Coordinate vehicle maneuvers with teammates, invest in vehicle customization early, and prioritize reconnaissance before launching heist attempts

Who Should Play Contraband

Contraband targeted players seeking cooperative experiences with a twist on traditional action gaming, emphasizing planning and coordination over reflexes.

• Co-op Enthusiasts – Four-player cooperative gameplay designed specifically for coordinated team-based heists across a shared open world
• Vehicle Game Fans – Players who enjoy games like Wreckfest or GTA Online’s vehicle mechanics would have found Contraband’s vehicle-first design compelling
• Heist Game Players – Those who loved games like Payday 2 or Hitman’s cooperative modes would appreciate the planning-heavy heist structure
• Skip if – Players focused on single-player campaigns, those wanting story-driven narratives, or gamers averse to vehicular gameplay mechanics

Contraband Platform Performance

Contraband was in development for Xbox Series X/S and PC, utilizing Avalanche’s proprietary Apex Engine to deliver expansive open-world graphics with emphasis on vehicle physics and environmental destruction.

Contraband System Requirements

While official specifications were never confirmed, Contraband would have required modern hardware based on Avalanche’s experience with Just Cause and the Apex Engine’s demands.

Similar Games to Contraband

Contraband’s vehicle-focused heist gameplay drew inspiration from multiple franchises, offering players several alternatives even though the game itself never shipped to consumers.

• Grand Theft Auto Online – Open-world heist gameplay with vehicle customization and four-player co-op jobs, establishing the modern co-op heist template
• Payday 2 – Team-based cooperative heist planning and execution with emphasis on coordination and role specialization
• Just Cause 4 – Same developer (Avalanche Studios), featuring open-world sandbox gameplay with destructible environments and vehicular mayhem
• Saints Row (2022) – Cooperative open-world crime game emphasizing fun, destruction, and team-based missions across a vibrant city

Contraband vs Competitors

Contraband’s cancellation eliminated a unique positioning in the co-op heist space, which was increasingly dominated by established franchises and live-service titles competing for player attention.

Contraband Story and World

The game’s setting in the fictional 1970s world of Bayan, inspired by South Asian coastal regions, positioned Contraband as a period piece celebrating an era of analog heists and improvised smuggling operations. The narrative framing suggested players would become legendary smugglers operating across a diverse geography, with specific heist missions like the “Sun River Job” establishing a world where contraband runs were high-stakes operations requiring careful planning. The tone blended cinematic presentation with an earthy, gritty aesthetic reflecting the era’s aesthetic and culture, emphasizing practical problem-solving over high-tech solutions. Community members would be recruited, each bringing unique skills to operations, suggesting a campaign structure where narrative progression emerged from successfully executing increasingly ambitious jobs across Bayan’s varied terrain.

Contraband Multiplayer and Online

Contraband was designed around seamless four-player cooperative play, with social hubs enabling players to find partners and coordinate heists across the shared open world.

• Co-op Heists – Four-player teams working together to complete job contracts, with roles emphasizing different playstyles and vehicle specializations
• Shared Open World – Persistent environment where multiple player teams could operate simultaneously, suggesting emerging sandbox gameplay
• Social Hubs – Designated meeting areas for players to form teams and accept contracts, reducing friction in matchmaking
• Progression Scaling – Job difficulty would likely scale based on team composition and skill, encouraging diverse player cooperation

Contraband DLC and Expansions

No DLC plans were formally announced before Contraband’s cancellation, though Avalanche’s post-launch support philosophy suggested seasonal content and expanded heist contracts were planned.

• Seasonal Heists – Planned (not confirmed) rotating contracts adding new jobs and locations to the world
• Vehicle Packs – Likely cosmetic additions expanding customization options across the smuggling fleet
• Story Expansions – Possible expansions targeting new regions of Bayan with unique contraband types and criminal factions
• Game Pass Day One – Contraband was confirmed as a Game Pass launch title, eliminating separate purchase models

Contraband Community and Support

The small community surrounding Contraband’s announcement remained hopeful for years despite radio silence, with some speculation Avalanche might revive development under different publishing arrangements.

• Official Sources – Avalanche’s statement on August 7, 2025 confirmed active development cessation with potential future reassessment
• Fan Communities – Reddit and Discord communities persisted in documenting Contraband news and discussing franchise potential
• Cancellation Status – As of January 2026, no revival announcements have materialized; the project remains dormant
• Future Prospects – Industry speculation suggests Avalanche may shop Contraband to other publishers, though no concrete developments have emerged