Digital Extremes, the creators of Warframe, unveiled exciting new details about their free-to-play looter shooter and upcoming fantasy MMO, Soulframe, at TennoCon 2024. This article delves into the key gameplay features and CEO Steve Sinclair's perspective on the live-service game model.
Warframe: 1999 – Arriving Winter 2024
Warframe: 1999, showcased via a gameplay demo, dramatically shifts the franchise's setting to a 1999-era Höllvania, a city overrun by the Infestation. Players control Arthur Nightingale, leader of the Hex, utilizing Protoframes – precursors to the main game's Warframes. The demo highlighted thrilling Atomicycle rides, intense battles against proto-infested enemies, and an unexpected encounter with a 1990s boy band. The demo's music is now available on the Warframe YouTube channel. The expansion launches on all platforms in Winter 2024.
The Hex, Arthur's team, comprises six members, each with unique roles. While only Arthur is playable in the demo, the expansion introduces a novel romance system, leveraging "Kinematic Instant Message" to foster relationships with Hex members, potentially culminating in a New Year's Eve kiss.
Digital Extremes is collaborating with The Line animation studio (known for Gorillaz music videos) to produce an animated short film set within the 1999 infested world, launching alongside the game.
Soulframe Gameplay Demo – An Open-World Fantasy MMO
The Soulframe Devstream offered a live demo, showcasing story and gameplay details. Players assume the role of an Envoy, tasked with cleansing Alca of the Ode curse. The Warsong Prologue introduces the game's world. Unlike Warframe's fast-paced action, Soulframe features slower, deliberate melee combat. Players possess a Nightfold, a personal Orbiter for interacting with NPCs, crafting, and tending to their wolf mount.
Players will encounter Ancestors – spirits providing unique gameplay benefits (e.g., Verminia, the Rat Witch, assists with crafting and cosmetics) – and formidable enemies like Nimrod (lightning attacks) and the ominous Bromius.
Soulframe is currently in a closed alpha phase (Soulframe Preludes) with wider access planned for Fall 2024.
Digital Extremes CEO on the Short Lifespan of Live Service Games
In a VGC interview at TennoCon 2024, CEO Steve Sinclair expressed concern over large publishers prematurely abandoning live-service games due to initial player count struggles. He highlighted the significant investment and potential waste when projects are shut down quickly despite years of development. He contrasted this with Warframe's decade-long success and stressed the lessons learned from canceling The Amazing Eternals, emphasizing Digital Extremes' commitment to Soulframe's long-term success.
