Contraband Faced Development Troubles, Staff Departures Since Announcement – Rumor

Amid all the rumors of Gears 6, Perfect Dark, and even State of Decay 3 potentially appearing at the upcoming Xbox Games Showcase, the lack of anything on other titles is conspicuous. For example, Avalanche Studios’ Contraband hasn’t received any new details since its announcement in 2021.

Windows Central’s Jez Corden reports the co-op title has faced some “difficult development” since then due to the pandemic and “key directorial staff” leaving the project. It would explain the title’s alleged delay from 2022 to 2023 and now 2024 (an official release date is still pending). There’s no indication that it could appear at the showcase, so we’ll need to wait for more details.

On the bright side, Corden adds to the reports of Perfect Dark’s development going well, having heard that it’s “shaping up nicely now.” It’s believed to appear at the showcase following long stretches of no updates and several departures from The Initiative.

The Xbox Games Showcase is on June 9th, so stay tuned for further updates.