Microsoft halted development of Contraband, the cooperative adventure game from Avalanche Studios. Game File reporter Stephen Totilo revealed that the open-world title entered suspended status after company-wide layoffs eliminated over 9,000 positions. The Xbox publishing division experienced cuts that directly affected the project's future. Avalanche Studios and Microsoft representatives declined to provide official statements regarding the game's current status. The suspension follows a pattern of canceled Xbox projects affecting both internal and external development teams.
Contraband received its initial announcement during 2021 but remained largely silent through subsequent years. Development reportedly encountered various obstacles that pushed release dates beyond original 2023-2024 projections. Microsoft recently removed the announcement trailer from public view on the Xbox YouTube channel. Other high-profile cancellations affected Perfect Dark, Everwild, and an unnamed ZeniMax Online MMO project. Avalanche's chief executive previously described Xbox as the ideal publishing partner for such an ambitious undertaking.
Contraband received its initial announcement during 2021 but remained largely silent through subsequent years. Development reportedly encountered various obstacles that pushed release dates beyond original 2023-2024 projections. Microsoft recently removed the announcement trailer from public view on the Xbox YouTube channel. Other high-profile cancellations affected Perfect Dark, Everwild, and an unnamed ZeniMax Online MMO project. Avalanche's chief executive previously described Xbox as the ideal publishing partner for such an ambitious undertaking.
