The world of simulation games is about to get a whole lot more morally grey. If you’ve ever imagined the high-stakes life of a customs officer, get ready to experience it firsthand—and decide if you’re going to be a hero, a villain, or a little bit of both.
The buzz is real: DRAGO entertainment has just announced the playtest for their upcoming title, Airport Contraband, and we’re ready to pack our bags and report for duty!
What is Airport Contraband?
This isn’t your average simulation game. Airport Contraband is described as a roguelike-simulation experience that puts you in the uniform of a customs officer at the tropical, yet chaotic, Caldora Airport.
Your core mission is to maintain order: inspecting documents, questioning passengers, scanning luggage, and sniffing out illegal goods—from drugs and weapons to counterfeit documents.
The Moral Dilemma: Law vs. Loot
Here’s where the game truly sets itself apart. While you can be the upstanding officer who enforces every rule, the game heavily leans into a compelling moral choice:
- Uphold the Law: Follow official security procedures, make correct seizures, and earn the trust that comes with a clean record.
- Bend the Rules: Turn a blind eye to smugglers, accept cash bribes, or even actively cooperate with the local cartel to move contraband. Quick cash is tempting, but it comes with immense risk.
Every shift is a fresh test of your instincts, and every choice builds the experience, tools, and reputation for your next officer in this roguelike structure. Do you sacrifice your ethics for a financial gain that could buy you better equipment or an easier future shift?
Key Features We’re Excited to Test
The playtest promises a chance to get hands-on with some exciting mechanics:
- Detailed Inspection: Utilize X-ray scanners, chemical tests, and a variety of tools (knives, UV lamps, hammers) to uncover contraband hidden in false compartments, double-bottomed suitcases, and other cunning places.
- Passenger Interrogation: You’ll need to rely on your people skills and gut feeling. Suspects won’t always cooperate, and you might need your taser and handcuffs to maintain order.
- Beyond the Gate: Inspections aren’t limited to passengers. You’ll also be checking pilots’ documents and inspecting aircraft cargo—contraband can slip in through the most surprising places.
- Roguelike Progression: Success and failure carry weight. Rewards, upgrades, and experience gained will shape the starting point of your next officer, making every playthrough unique.
How to Join the Playtest
If the thought of a life balancing duty and temptation sounds like your kind of simulation, you’ll want to get in on the playtest, which is planned for January 2026 on Steam.
The developers, DRAGO entertainment, are encouraging players to get involved early, share their suggestions, and help shape the final game.
To sign up, simply head over to the official Airport Contraband Steam page and click the green button to request access!
The Verdict So Far
Airport Contraband looks set to be much more than a simple sim. By blending the detailed procedures of a customs officer game with the high-stakes, consequence-driven nature of a roguelike, it promises a uniquely addictive gameplay loop.
Will you be the airport hero, or will you build your fortune on the backs of smugglers? January can’t come soon enough!
Are you signing up for the Airport Contraband Playtest? What’s the first illegal item you’re going to try and confiscate (or let through)? Let us know in the comments below!
Airport Contraband – https://drago-entertainment.com/support/airport-contraband/
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