Warframe, Soulframe: A New Era of Live Service Games

Warframe: 1999 and Soulframe Aim to Show How Live Service Games Should Be Done Digital Extremes, the creators of Warframe, unveiled exciting new content for their popular free-to-play title and their upcoming fantasy MMO, Soulframe, at TennoCon 2024. Let's dive into the details of these ambitious projects and CEO Steve Sinclair's insightful comments on the live-service game model.

Warframe: 1999 – Arriving Winter 2024

Protoframes, Infestations, and a Boy Band Surprise!

TennoCon 2024 finally gave us a gameplay glimpse of Warframe: 1999. This expansion dramatically shifts the game's setting from its usual sci-fi aesthetic to a gritty, Infestation-ravaged 1990s city called Höllvania. Players control Arthur Nightingale, leader of the Hex, wielding a Protoframe – a precursor to the Warframes we know. The mission? Find Dr. Entrati before the New Year's Eve countdown ends.

Warframe: 1999 and Soulframe Aim to Show How Live Service Games Should Be Done The demo showcased thrilling moments: Arthur riding the Atomicycle, intense combat against proto-infested enemies, and an unexpected encounter with a '90s boy band (yes, really!). The demo's soundtrack is now available on the Warframe YouTube channel.

Meet the Hex

Warframe: 1999 and Soulframe Aim to Show How Live Service Games Should Be Done The Hex team comprises six unique characters, each with a distinct role. While the demo focused on Arthur Nightingale, the expansion introduces a novel romance system, allowing players to build relationships with Hex members via "Kinematic Instant Message," potentially leading to a New Year's Eve kiss.

A Warframe Animated Short

Warframe: 1999 and Soulframe Aim to Show How Live Service Games Should Be Done Digital Extremes is collaborating with The Line animation studio (known for Gorillaz music videos) on an animated short film set in the infested world of Warframe: 1999. Details are scarce, but the short is slated for release alongside the expansion.

Soulframe Gameplay Demo

An Open-World Fantasy MMO Experience

The long-awaited Soulframe Devstream finally offered a live gameplay demo, revealing story and gameplay elements. Players become Envoys, tasked with cleansing the Ode curse plaguing the land of Alca. The Warsong Prologue introduces this world and its unique gameplay.

Unlike Warframe's fast-paced action, Soulframe features slower, deliberate melee combat. Players have a Nightfold, a personal Orbiter, to manage gear, interact with NPCs, and even pet their wolf mount.

Allies and Enemies Await

Warframe: 1999 and Soulframe Aim to Show How Live Service Games Should Be Done Envoys will encounter Ancestors – spirits of powerful beings – each offering unique gameplay benefits. Verminia, the Rat Witch, for example, aids in crafting and cosmetic upgrades. Enemies include Nimrod, a formidable lightning-wielding foe, and the ominous Bromius, teased at the demo's conclusion.

Soulframe Release: Coming Soon

Warframe: 1999 and Soulframe Aim to Show How Live Service Games Should Be Done Soulframe is currently in a closed alpha phase (Soulframe Preludes), but a wider release is planned for this Fall.

Digital Extremes CEO on the Premature Demise of Live Service Games

The Perils of Hasty Abandonment

Warframe: 1999 and Soulframe Aim to Show How Live Service Games Should Be Done In a VGC interview at TennoCon 2024, Digital Extremes CEO Steve Sinclair voiced concerns about large publishers prematurely abandoning live-service games after initial struggles. He highlighted the significant investment in development and community building, often wasted due to high operating costs and fear of declining player numbers.

Warframe: 1999 and Soulframe Aim to Show How Live Service Games Should Be Done Sinclair contrasted this trend with Warframe's decade-long success, emphasizing the importance of sustained support and community engagement. Learning from the cancellation of their previous project, The Amazing Eternals, Digital Extremes is committed to a long-term vision for Soulframe.