Contraband Xbox Showcase Release Date Speculation, Gameplay Details And Leaks

Will Contraband Be At The Xbox Bethesda Showcase?

Update - Sources close to Gamereactor.eu claim that Avowed & Fable will definately appear at the Xbox Showcase. But no word on Contraband. Curious...

Contraband was first announced during E3 2021 as coming from Avalanche Studios, developers behind series such as Just Cause. If it's anything like the Just Cause games then it'll lean a lot into the more chaotic side of things, but we're not totally sure that it'll actually show up at the Xbox Bethesda show. 

This is mainly due to the relative radio silence of a LOT of Xbox Bethesda games that were announced years ago, with no sign of them since. It'd be nice to see them, but we don't have our hopes up.

[ORIGINAL STORY FOLLOWS]: Xbox Game Studios, in partnership with Avalanche Studios, recently announced a brand new co-op, open-world game, titled “Contraband”, at E3 2021. Set in the 1970s smuggler’s paradise of Bayan, Contraband promises to be their “most ambitious and spectacular game to date”. The studios have previously delivered master class titles, including their “Just Cause” game series; so we can expect similar quality from this current novel release.

What is Contraband's release date?

Unfortunately, there is no release window indicated for this game. We can speculate, however, that the game will likely launch around Summer next year since the majority of other games announced were set to release during this time. It is confirmed that the game will launch exclusively on the Xbox Series X/S game consoles, with a later release for PC. The game will also be available on Xbox Game Pass for free, from day one. 

In case you missed the reveal, check out the teaser trailer of Contraband below.

Contraband: Gameplay and development

The Contraband launch trailer opens with the song “Do It Again” by Steely Dan and gives us a glimpse into the look and feel of the game. The trailer remains vague throughout and does not reveal any detail regarding the gameplay, plot or characters; nor does it provide any substantial backstory for them.

Considering the game’s name, “Contraband”, we suspect that it will be a heist game. This is supported by a brief depiction of a heist, titled the “Sun River Job”, shown during the game trailer.

Toward the end of the trailer, we see a character (although we can’t see their face) attending to repairs whilst laying underneath a Jeep. On top of the Jeep lies an open red box, which later reveals the title of the game. 

Does Contraband sound like your type of game? Then rest assured that we’ll have all the details covered for you, as soon as they are made available.

Contraband will launch exclusively on the Xbox Series X/S and PC in the (hopefully) not too distant future.