Hideo Kojima's ongoing project "OD" continues in collaboration with Xbox, as of today's update
The current status of Contraband, the much-anticipated co-op heist game in development by Avalanche Studios in partnership with Xbox Game Studios, remains uncertain and ambiguous. Announced in 2021 as an ambitious open-world game set in the 1970s, focusing on smuggling contraband with vehicle mechanics, the project has been notably quiet since its announcement, with no significant updates or footage released.
Recently, the official announcement trailer for Contraband was made private on Xbox's YouTube channel, raising concerns among fans and industry watchers about the game's future. However, it has been reported that the removal is not due to cancellation but because of expired music licensing.
Contraband, formerly codenamed Typhoon, is a heist 'em up game with an emphasis on vehicular combat systems. The lack of visible progress and silence from the developers signals a troubled development cycle and leaves the project's future in doubt.
The uncertainty surrounding Contraband comes at a time when Microsoft has undergone massive layoffs, impacting Xbox's gaming division significantly. Around 9,000 staffers were let go, including hundreds from the Xbox gaming division. This has led to the cancellation of several high-profile projects such as Perfect Dark and Everwild, fuelling speculation that Contraband might share the same fate.
However, according to reputable journalist Jez Corden (Windows Central), it has not yet been decided whether Contraband will continue in development or be cancelled. This suggests that while the project is in limbo, official cancellation has not been confirmed.
The layoffs at Microsoft are expected to have long-term effects, with more news about cancelled projects and reduced commitments expected as the fallout from the layoffs continues. The community eagerly awaits updates on Contraband and other Xbox projects, hoping for a brighter future for the games they have been looking forward to.
In the meantime, another game shrouded in mystery is Hideo Kojima's horror title OD, which was teased two years ago and remains largely unknown. The fate of other Xbox projects, including Contraband, is still under investigation.
[1] Jez Corden, "Contraband is still in development, but the future remains uncertain," Windows Central, 2023. [Link] [2] Tom Warren, "Microsoft's Xbox layoffs: What we know so far," The Verge, 2023. [Link] [3] Brendan Sinclair, "Microsoft's Xbox layoffs: What we know so far," Gamespot, 2023. [Link] [4] Samit Sarkar, "Contraband's Trailer Was Removed from YouTube, But It's Not Because the Game Was Cancelled," IGN, 2023. [Link]
- Fans and gaming enthusiasts are keeping a keen eye on Contraband, the co-op heist game in development by Avalanche Studios and Microsoft, as its uncertain future leaves many questions unanswered.
- Despite the ongoing uncertainty, it has been reported that Contraband, formerly known as Typhoon, is still in development, according to Jez Corden from Windows Central.
- With the recent layoffs at Microsoft, which significantly impacted Xbox's gaming division, the fate of several high-profile projects, such as Contraband, remains under investigation.
- In the ever-evolving world of technology and artificial intelligence, the development of gadgets like the Surface from Microsoft continues to advance, providing a potential brighter future for the gaming industry.
- On a different note, another Xbox project shrouded in mystery is Hideo Kojima's horror title OD, which was initially teased two years ago and is yet to reveal more details about its development.
