Xbox Users in the UK Now Require Age Verification: Key Points to Understand
In a surprising turn of events, Avalanche Studios' highly-anticipated game, Contraband, has been officially put on indefinite hold. The announcement was made public by the developers themselves, who expressed gratitude for the community's interest but provided no specific timeline or further details on whether development will resume.
The news comes after a series of layoffs at Xbox Game Studios, affecting various teams across the division. Contraband, first announced during Xbox Games Showcase 2021, never progressed beyond a teaser trailer, and no gameplay or updates have been released since.
The decision to stop development on Contraband reflects wider industry volatility, especially for ambitious unproven titles under corporate publishing umbrellas like Xbox. However, no additional layoffs have been reported related directly to this pause on Contraband at the Xbox team.
The game was set in the fictional world of 1970s Bayan, described as a co-op smuggler's paradise. Contraband was being published under the Xbox Game Studios Publishing umbrella.
The cancellation of Contraband may have been delayed but remains a possibility. Avalanche Studios, in their statement, suggested they could be looking for a new publisher for the game. The current industry environment is unclear regarding what a new publisher for Contraband might look like.
Meanwhile, morale at ZeniMax, the company behind the layoffs, is reported to be "rancid" following the job cuts. The layoffs resulted in the cancellation of The Initiative's Perfect Dark, Rare's Everwild, and a new MMORPG from ZeniMax Online Studios. The layoffs were reportedly done to further the company's investment in generative AI.
This news follows a publishing deal impact for Romero Games, whose position was thrown into jeopardy. As of now, the future of Contraband remains uncertain, leaving fans of the game in a state of anticipation. The developers have promised an update soon, expressing gratitude for the community's excitement.
- Despite the unexpected halt on Avalanche Studios' Contraband, Microsoft, the publisher behind Xbox Game Studios, might be seeking a new publisher for the game.
- In the wake of layoffs at Xbox Game Studios and other announced cancellations like Perfect Dark and Everwild, Microsoft continues to invest in generative AI technology.
- While Contraband's gameplay, updates, or under-the-hood improvements have not yet been showcased on Windows or any gadgets, the developers have promised an update soon.
- In the midst of this technological shift towards AI, the gaming industry presents a dynamic landscape where ambitious titles like Contraband face uncertainty amidst corporate publishing decisions.
