Warframe's 1999 Expansion and Soulframe: A Look at Sustainable Live Service Games

Digital Extremes, the creators of the popular free-to-play title Warframe, unveiled exciting new details about their upcoming expansions at TennoCon 2024. This includes a deep dive into Warframe: 1999 and a first look at gameplay for their fantasy MMO, Soulframe. CEO Steve Sinclair also shared his perspective on the challenges and successes of long-term live service game development.

Warframe: 1999 – A Retro Sci-Fi Adventure (Winter 2024)

Protoframes, Infestation, and a Boy Band?

Warframe: 1999 transports players to a retro-futuristic Höllvania, gripped by the early stages of the Infestation. Players control Arthur Nightingale, leader of the Hex team, wielding a Protoframe – a precursor to the Warframes of the main game. The gameplay demo showcased high-octane action, including Arthur's Atomicycle, intense combat against proto-infested enemies, and an unexpected encounter with a '90s boy band. The soundtrack from the demo is now available on the Warframe YouTube channel.

Meet the Hex

The Hex team comprises six members, each with unique roles. While only Arthur is playable in the demo, the expansion introduces a novel romance system, allowing players to connect with Hex members via "Kinematic Instant Message," leading to potential New Year's Eve romance.

Animated Short Film

Digital Extremes is collaborating with The Line animation studio (known for Gorillaz music videos) to produce an animated short film set in the Warframe: 1999 universe, launching alongside the expansion.

Soulframe – An Open-World Fantasy MMO

A New World Awaits

The first Soulframe Devstream showcased gameplay and story details. Players become Envoys, tasked with cleansing the Ode curse from the land of Alca. The Warsong Prologue introduces the world and its slower, more deliberate melee combat style. Players will have access to a Nightfold, a personal Orbiter for crafting, interacting with NPCs, and even petting a wolf mount.

Allies and Enemies

Players will encounter Ancestors, spirits granting unique abilities (Verminia, the Rat Witch, aids in crafting and cosmetics). Enemies include Nimrod, a powerful ranged attacker, and Bromius, a formidable beast.

Soulframe Release

Soulframe is currently in a closed alpha (Soulframe Preludes), with plans for wider access this Fall.

Digital Extremes CEO on the Sustainability of Live Service Games

The Long Game

In a VGC interview at TennoCon 2024, CEO Steve Sinclair expressed concern over the trend of major publishers prematurely abandoning live service games due to initial performance anxieties. He highlighted Warframe's long-term success as a testament to patient development and community engagement, contrasting it with the short lifespans of games like Anthem, SYNCED, and Crossfire X. Digital Extremes aims to avoid repeating past mistakes (like the cancellation of The Amazing Eternals) with Soulframe.