Software Engineering Daily WayForward Games with Tomm Hulett and Voldi Way
Jun 26, 2025
Voldi Way, Founder and CEO of WayForward, and Tomm Hulett, Director at the studio, dive into their illustrious 35-year gaming journey. They reveal the creative process behind the reimagined Contra: Operation Galuga, discussing the delicate balance of nostalgia and modern gameplay. The duo also explores the intricacies of run-and-gun mechanics, the influence of the speedrunning community, and innovative organizational strategies that keep their 120-person team thriving. Their passion for transformative gaming shines through!
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Pitching Operation Galuga
- WayForward pitched a 2D Contra reimagining to Konami before knowing details.
- Konami approved and revealed Operation Galuga would reimagine the first game's story and gameplay with modern design.
Balancing Difficulty and Accessibility
- They balanced Contra's classic difficulty with modern accessibility options like 360-degree aiming and life bars.
- Players can customize perks without penalty, preserving challenge while welcoming newcomers.
Choosing Modern Stylized Graphics
- To avoid a 'throwback' look, they chose stylized 3D comic book-inspired graphics over pixel art.
- This style aligns with Contra's colorful and bold American soldier brand identity.
