Warframe developers, Digital Extremes, have unveiled exciting updates for their free-to-play looter shooter and their upcoming fantasy MMO, Soulframe. Dive into the details on gameplay features and hear from CEO Steve Sinclair on the philosophy behind live-service games.
Warframe: 1999 Coming in Winter 2024
Protoframes, Infestations, and Boy Bands
At TennoCon 2024, Digital Extremes showcased a gameplay demo for the highly anticipated Warframe 1999 expansion. This expansion marks a thrilling shift from the traditional sci-fi setting, immersing players in the dystopian city of Höllvania, overrun by the early stages of the Infestation. Players will step into the shoes of Arthur Nightingale, the charismatic leader of the Hex, who wields a Protoframe—an early prototype of the iconic Warframes. The narrative urgency propels players on a race against time to rescue Dr. Entrati before the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve.
The demo featured thrilling sequences, including Arthur navigating the Atomicycle, engaging in fierce combat against proto-infested hordes, and encountering a surprising '90s boy band. Music enthusiasts can now stream the boy band's catchy tune on the Warframe YouTube channel. For those less musically inclined, an infested version of the band awaits as a unique challenge when the game launches across all platforms in winter 2024.
Get to Know the Hex
The Hex is a dynamic team composed of six members, each bringing unique traits and roles to the table. While the gameplay demo focuses on Arthur Nightingale, Warframe: 1999 introduces a novel romance system set in the nostalgic glow of CRT monitors and dial-up modems. Players can foster relationships with Hex members via "Kinematic Instant Message," leading to deep conversations and the possibility of a romantic New Year's Eve kiss.
Warframe Anime
In collaboration with The Line, the animation studio behind Gorillaz music videos, Digital Extremes is crafting an animated short set in the world of Warframe 1999. While details remain sparse, fans can look forward to this visual treat accompanying the expansion's launch.
Soulframe Gameplay Demo
An Open-World Fantasy MMO
After much anticipation, Digital Extremes unveiled the first Soulframe Devstream, offering a live demo that delved into new story and gameplay elements. As an Envoy in Soulframe, players are charged with cleansing the land of Alca from the devastating Ode curse. The Warsong Prologue served as an engaging introduction to the game's rich world.Soulframe diverges from Warframe's fast-paced action with a more deliberate melee combat system. Players will have access to a personal hub called the Nightfold, where they can interact with NPCs, craft equipment, and bond with their giant wolf mount, among other activities.
Allies and Enemies
Throughout the game, players will encounter Ancestors, spirits that grant unique abilities. Verminia, the Rat Witch, aids in crafting consumables and unlocking cosmetic enhancements. Players will also face formidable foes like Nimrod, a towering enemy with long-range lightning attacks, and the ominous Bromius, hinted at in the demo's finale.
Soulframe Release Date
While Soulframe is currently in an invite-only closed alpha phase called Soulframe Preludes, the developers aim to open access to a broader audience this Fall.
Digital Extremes CEO Comments on Short-Lived Live Service Games
Are Big Publishers Giving Up on Live Service Games Too Quickly?
In an interview with VGC during TennoCon 2024, Steve Sinclair, CEO of Digital Extremes, expressed concern over the trend of large companies prematurely abandoning live service games due to initial launch struggles. He highlighted the dedication required to nurture these games, which are built for continuous updates and player engagement.
"Isn’t that a shame," Sinclair remarked. "You put so many years of your life into iterating on those systems or building technology or building the start of a community, and because the operating costs are high, you get terrified when you see the numbers drop and you leave."
Examples such as Anthem, SYNCED, and Crossfire X illustrate his point, having been shut down shortly after their launch. In contrast, Warframe has enjoyed over a decade of success through consistent updates and community engagement. After canceling The Amazing Eternals five years ago due to insufficient interest during closed beta, Digital Extremes is determined not to repeat the same mistakes with Soulframe.
