Xbox Just Cancelled Another Big Exclusive from the Just Cause Team

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It appears that Xbox has decided to halt production on a fresh game from the Just Cause team. Recently, Xbox has found itself in an unusual position. To begin with, gamers were displeased when Xbox began porting some of its major titles to PlayStation, which seemed to suggest that the platform was declining and that the company was resorting to any method possible to remain viable. Additionally, several studios have been closed down leading to thousands of job losses and numerous games being shelved. Just last month, the reboot of Perfect Dark, Everwild, and a new MMO from ZeniMax developed by The Initiative were all abandoned along with the studio’s closure.

The decision sparked significant debate among fans, with some expressing concerns about Xbox’s long-term prospects. Despite Microsoft’s announcement that they are developing a new console, many remain puzzled as to why they should invest in a platform that struggles to deliver its games. Not only have several games been cancelled, but others have experienced prolonged delays in their release dates. For instance, the much-anticipated game “Fable” has been in development for nearly a decade and is not expected to launch until next year at the earliest.

It’s unfortunate to report that the development of the new heist game “Contraband,” initially planned by Avalanche Studios (known for Just Cause series) and set to be published by Xbox Game Studios, has been terminated. Although there had been a prolonged silence about the project, it wasn’t cancelled; however, Xbox has now decided to end the venture. Avalanche Studios have expressed that they are considering the game’s future and will provide updates when possible.

Avalanche announces a pause in the project’s ongoing development as they consider the potential path for its future.

— Wario64 (@Wario64) August 7, 2025

The possibility exists that the game “Contraband” could be picked up by another publisher, but this decision would likely hinge on how well the game currently appears. If “Contraband” was terminated due to lack of progress or being in a difficult state, it’s challenging to envision another company wanting to continue funding its development. At this point, we can only wait and observe what transpires. It’s a pity because a fresh heist game sounds intriguing. However, “Contraband” has been absent for nearly half a decade now, making it unclear when it might come out if it is rescued.

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2025-08-07 20:47