Avalanche Studios’ game Contraband, announced in 2021 as a “co-operative smuggler’s paradise” set in the 1970s, was recently canceled along with several other titles. Despite initial excitement, details about the game remained scarce, with the closest being a teaser trailer and rumors of a successful playtest.
Recently, behind-the-scenes images surfaced, showcasing concept art, character designs, and game UI elements. These suggest a stylized art direction and confirm a focus on four-player cooperative teams, with character rankings from hustlers to barons. A map named “Downtown” depicting a neon-lit nighttime street hints at the game’s atmospheric setting.
The images primarily reflect UI work, but a blurry backdrop suggests a dimly lit safe house, likely a key player hub. The cancellation of Contraband accompanies significant reorganization at the studio, including layoffs and the closure of its Liverpool division. Meanwhile, the future of the Just Cause series, also under Avalanche, remains uncertain after the cancellation of its fifth installment. The overall state of the video game industry adds to the unpredictability of the studio’s next steps.
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