The studio known for Just Cause was working on an Xbox project, but unfortunately, Microsoft canceled it, too.

Contraband was canceled a few months ago, along with several other games developed for the console. Announced in 2021, Contraband was described as a co-op smuggling game set in the 1970s. Although the concept seemed interesting, little information about the game was released over the years. Apart from rumors about positive feedback from the game’s tests, we never received many details about the project, let alone official information. The closest thing we received was the teaser trailer. Now, however, we can take a rare look behind the scenes of the game through concept art, character designs, and mockups that show what the menu system would have looked like.

These images appeared in an artist’s portfolio. The artist worked on the user interfaces, and the images mainly illustrate the matchmaking experience, showcasing a stylish aesthetic. The character portraits strongly suggest the visual direction. In total, we can see at least three different character designs. Based on their appearance, Contraband would have most likely leaned towards a more stylized art style. However, it appears that the character images are from an old Marvel fan art portfolio by another artist. Therefore, these character models should not be considered representative of the final art style of the game.

The game’s user interface focused on cooperative teams of four players. It featured a progression system based on criminal ranks: Hustler, Bandit, Smuggler, and Baron. One of the levels, called “Downtown,” depicted a neon-lit nighttime street, emphasizing the perfect atmosphere for smuggling. While these images primarily show the user interface, they offer a glimpse of what appears to be the in-game environment. Though only visible in the blurry background of one of the menus, the scene appears to be a dimly lit hideout with crates and boxes. The fact that this scene is visible behind the recruitment menu strongly suggests it was the main hub or point of interest for players.

After the cancellation of Contraband, Avalanche underwent a significant internal reorganization, including the closure of its Liverpool division and a reduction in the size of its other teams. The future of the studio’s flagship Just Cause franchise is also uncertain. Sumo Digital was working on the fifth installment, but the project was canceled shortly thereafter. While the best outcome for fans of the franchise would be to continue the Just Cause saga, the studio’s future remains very uncertain.

Source: MP1st