First announced in 2021, the game was described as a “co-op smuggler’s paradise” set in the 1970s. While the concept sounded genuinely interesting, little was heard about it over the years. Beyond rumors of playtests that reportedly received a positive reception, we never enjoyed many details of the project, let alone official glimpses, with the closest thing being the reveal teaser trailer.
This is why you might be interested in seeing a bit more about the title. Luckily, we can now get a rare look behind the scenes of the game thanks to some screenshots with concept art, character designs, and mockups that were intended to give an idea of how the game’s menus would have looked.
These images were published in the portfolio of an artist who contributed to the game’s development, specifically working on its interfaces, and they mainly illustrate the matchmaking experience, revealing a highly stylized look.
Most notably, the character portraits provide a strong clue about the visual direction. We can observe at least three different character designs in total. Judging by their appearance, it is highly probable that Contraband would have leaned toward a more stylized art style, rather than going for a realistic approach.
Now, based on the UI, it appears that the game intended to focus on 4-player co-op teams. Furthermore, it is suggested that there was a progression system based on different criminal rankings, such as Hustler, Bandit, Smuggler, or Baron.
We can also see one of the maps planned for the game, simply named Downtown, which features a striking illustration of a street at night with different neon-lit storefronts, emphasizing a nocturnal setting and an atmosphere perfect for smuggling operations.
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Hope they go back to this IP one day The pitch of the game sounded like it was going to be really cool and fun.
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