Warframe's Developer, Digital Extremes, Unveils Exciting Updates for Warframe: 1999 and Soulframe
Digital Extremes, the studio behind the popular free-to-play looter shooter Warframe, showcased exciting new content at TennoCon 2024, including a gameplay demo for the upcoming expansion Warframe: 1999 and a devstream for their fantasy MMO, Soulframe.
Warframe: 1999 – A Retro Sci-Fi Adventure
The Warframe: 1999 expansion plunges players into a retro 1999 setting, trading sleek Orokin technology for the gritty, infested city of Höllvania. Players control Arthur Nightingale, leader of the Hex, piloting a Protoframe – a precursor to the Warframes of the main game. The gameplay demo showcased intense action, including the Atomicycle, battles against proto-infested enemies, and a surprising encounter with a 90s boy band!
The Hex, a team of six unique characters, is central to the narrative. While only Arthur is playable in the demo, a novel romance system allows players to build relationships with other Hex members via "Kinematic Instant Message," potentially leading to a New Year's Eve kiss.
To further enhance the experience, Digital Extremes is collaborating with The Line animation studio on an animated short film set within the Warframe: 1999 universe, launching alongside the expansion.
Soulframe – A Deliberate Fantasy MMO
The Soulframe devstream offered a deeper look into this open-world fantasy MMO, introducing players to the Envoy, tasked with cleansing the Ode curse from Alca. The Warsong Prologue showcased the game's slower, deliberate melee combat style. Players will utilize their Nightfold, a personal Orbiter, for crafting, interacting with NPCs, and even petting their wolf mount.
The game features Ancestors, powerful spirit allies offering unique gameplay benefits, and formidable enemies like Nimrod and Bromius. Currently in a closed alpha phase (Soulframe Preludes), Soulframe is slated for a wider release this Fall.
Digital Extremes CEO on the Longevity of Live Service Games
Digital Extremes CEO Steve Sinclair voiced concerns about the trend of major publishers prematurely abandoning live service games due to initial performance anxieties. He highlighted the importance of long-term commitment and community building, contrasting Warframe's decade-long success with the short lifespans of games like Anthem, SYNCED, and Crossfire X. This experience informs their approach to Soulframe, aiming to avoid past mistakes.
