Browser F2P era (archived)

2026 update: CONTRABAND no longer runs as a free browser game on this domain. The current product is a paid Steam PC release. This URL is kept for bookmarks and search results that still mention “free-to-play.”

What the browser build offered

During prototyping, the core campaign was playable in a browser tab at no upfront cost. Optional cosmetic and convenience entitlements could be purchased through Stripe; they never gated story progression or endings.

Why that model ended

A native PC build unlocked better performance, a composed soundtrack, Steam achievements and cloud saves, and a clearer single storefront. The marketing site now points to Steam instead of hosting /play/.

Where to read more

See the devlog posts on monetization philosophy and Stripe + Firebase integration for the technical history.

Play today

Get CONTRABAND on Steam — full campaign, 140 achievements, 21-track soundtrack.