Konami announced that a new Contra game is in the pipeline and that players from China should expect for the game to be released in the Chinese market.
Konami added that the game will only be available on mobile platforms and mentioned that users of iOS and Android will be the ones to enjoy the exclusive availability of the new game.
In other words, the game will not be played on any type of console nor will it be played using a traditional controller. It remains to be seen, however, if this will evolve over time.
Launching the game in China means that a global launch is not being planned at the moment. One reason for this could be the fact that the company is in collaboration with Tencent, one of the biggest companies in China, in order to release the game.
Another point to consider in the launching of the new Contra game is the fact that Konami considers implementing microtransactions as an integral component of its business model.
No other details about the launch is available at the moment. Konami reiterates that the new Contra game will feature a horizontal scrolling shooter. Moreover, the microtransaction feature of the game suggests that players may be asked to pay a certain amount in order to get enhanced weapons or infinite lives.
There is no doubt that Contra is one of the popular games in the market and that a number of users are hoping that the game's next installment will be available on PC and on consoles. Konami's announcement that the game will be solely available to iOS and Android mobile users can therefore become a real disappointment.
Rumors about the new Contra game have been circulating for the past couple of years. The project, which seemed to be kept as a secret venture in the beginning, had been unofficially linked with a number of external studios that include Mercury Steam (Castlevania: Lords of Shadow), M2 (Contra Rebirth) and WayForward (Contra 4).
Dave Cox, producer of Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, has made it obvious for everyone to know that he intends to work on Contra hopefully in the near future.
"I think if you're going to bring Contra back you've got to be able to do something unique and intuitive that hasn't been done before," said Cox. "You can't just bring out a generic shooter. You have to have a new idea. I think if we had a new idea and we could combine that new idea with the universe of Contra that would be special. Yeah, watch this space."
