Xbox Game Studios and Avalanche Studios jointly announced that they are "stopping development for now", clarifying that this pause doesn't necessarily cancel the title outright. According to the Pure Xbox article on the decision, internal priorities shifted and neither team wanted to rush the project. Meanwhile, fans who remember the Contraband - Official Reveal Trailer 4K | E3 2021 are left wondering if the open-world heist shooter will ever see completion.
Neither studio has closed the door on future updates; in fact, the statement hinted that "if there's any future news, we'll share it on Gaming News". In practical terms, this means that Avalanche's signature physics-driven environments and cooperative mechanics may return—just not on the original schedule. For now, the title sits in limbo, allowing both teams to allocate resources elsewhere without fully discarding the potential of high-octane heist gameplay.
A retail leak uncovered by user billbil-kun on Dealabs puts the release on 16 October 2025 at a retail price of €599, positioning the handheld as a direct competitor to Valve's Steam Deck. The scoop was detailed in IGN's "Retail Leak Reveals ROG Xbox Ally Handheld Release Date", which notes that the device will leverage Xbox Cloud Gaming and local Xbox Game Pass libraries for seamless portable play.
Beyond its €599 price tag, the Xbox‐branded handheld promises native streaming of Xbox Series X titles, custom AMD Ryzen hardware, and a Windows-based interface—features that could tilt the balance for gamers torn between consoles and handhelds. With detachable controls and a 1080p display, it aims to blend the immersive power of home consoles with the flexibility of on-the-go gaming. If you prefer downloading games directly, the ROG Ally's built-in SSD and Windows OS will make installing titles nearly as straightforward as on a desktop PC.
Early impressions are overwhelmingly positive, praising its rich narrative and high production values despite a concise campaign length. IGN's Mafia: The Old Country Review highlights standout moments from the "Family Takes Sacrifice" launch trailer, commending the game's cinematic flair and emotional depth. While some reviewers note that the main storyline can be completed in under ten hours, they agree that every mission feels meticulously crafted—delivering a premium experience from start to finish.
Mafia: The Old Country hits PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on 8 August 2025. Ahead of launch, you can watch the official "Family Takes Sacrifice" launch trailer to catch a glimpse of open-world drives through 1920s New York. Whether you're a fan of story-driven shooters or period crime dramas, preloading is already underway on most digital storefronts—so you'll be ready to dive into the underworld the moment the clock strikes midnight.
For a visual summary of today's gaming news, complete with engaging gameplay footage, check out our YouTube video below. It's a quick and entertaining way to catch up on the highlights!
I hope you enjoyed this comprehensive dive into the latest gaming news. As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, it's always thrilling to be at the forefront, sharing these updates with fellow enthusiasts like you.
For a deeper and more interactive experience, visit Mithrie - Gaming News (YouTube). If you enjoyed this content, please subscribe to support independent gaming journalism and stay updated on future content. Share your thoughts in the comments after watching the video; your feedback means a lot to me. Let's continue this gaming journey together, one video at a time!
I have been creating gaming content since August 2013, and went full-time in 2018. Since then, I have published hundreds of gaming news videos and articles. I have had a passion for gaming for more than 30 years!
Mithrie.com is a Gaming News website owned and operated by Mazen Turkmani. I am an independent individual and not part of any company or entity.
Mithrie.com does not have any advertising or sponsorships at this time for this website. The website may enable Google Adsense in the future. Mithrie.com is not affiliated with Google or any other news organization.
Mithrie.com uses AI tools such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini to increase the length of articles for further readablity. The news itself is kept accurate by manual review from Mazen Turkmani.
The news stories on Mithrie.com are selected by me based on their relevance to the gaming community. I strive to present the news in a fair and unbiased manner, and I always link to the original source of the news story or provide screenshots in the video above.