Digital Extremes’ annual Warframe fan convention, TennoCon, is what developer Digital Extremes uses to showcase the game’s community and give back to fans with interesting dev talks as well as a slew of announcements and reveals that blow our minds. TennoCon 2024 was absolutely no exception.
Leading up to TennoCon 2024, everybody knew there would be a big focus on Warframe: 1999. This is the game’s next major expansion, but there were so many more surprises from the event, some of which are coming to Warframe much sooner than you might think. As the game continues to grow, Digital Extremes has shown through the event that it’s putting in an increasing amount of work to not only keep up with player demand for new content but exceed it.
Everything announced during TennoCon 2024
Below, I’ve highlighted everything that was shown at TennoCon 2024. Even if you watched the event live, you may have missed a few of these because there were many minor announcements alongside the two big gameplay demos that were the absolute highlight of the show.
Warframe: 1999 demo and release window
The main focus of TennoCon 2024 that we all knew going in was a gameplay demo for Warframe: 1999. The demo follows Arthur from a small base where he and five other Protoframes are hiding out as he follows a lead on a familiar character who has taken refuge in this time period.
I think the demo is amazing because it shows off a unique part of the Warframe universe that’s heavily inspired by the 90s. The retro aesthetic blends well with the in-game history to make for a world that feels grounded, and the best part is we’ll be able to explore it later this year. The release window for this expansion is winter 2024. The story revolves around the New Year’s Eve countdown in 1999, so it feels appropriate that we might get to play it as we count down to 2025.
An Infested boyband
Throughout the Warframe: 1999 demo, an original boyband song inspired by the 90s and voiced by Nick Apostolides, voice actor for Leon S. Kennedy in Resident Evil 4 Remake, Party of Your Lifetime. The boyband consists of Infested characters who occupy a stadium in the Sol System, and while we don’t know much about how you’ll interact with them, I can tell you that the song is available now on YouTube and should be coming to Spotify in the near future.
The song was a big hit with the press during the preview event for the expansion, so I expect fans to feel the same. Just the idea of a sci-fi zombie alien boyband sounds completely mad, but it fits so incredibly well in Warframe.
Warframe‘s first romance system
Warframe: 1999 features a total of six Protoframes, and players control one of them, Arthur. Throughout the expansion’s story, you can send messages as Arthur to all the other Protoframes and develop his relationship with them to secure a New Year’s Eve kiss.
Note that this was only teased during the gameplay demo, and the most action I saw was typing. However, I think it’s brilliant how Digital Extremes has brought the old MSN Messenger days back to life in a way that feels tangible and important to the story.
Cyte-09, a new Warframe
We only get a brief glimpse of him in the Warframe: 1999 demo, but Cyte-09 is a new Warframe that will be added to the game with this expansion. Through the new Gemini Skin System, players will be able to take it into battle in the modern day, using this sharpshooter’s skills to hunt for fortunes from Void Relics as it once did for treasure in another life.
Gemini Skin System and new mounts and weapons
One of the most surprising reveals from the Warframe: 1999 demo was the Gemini Skin System. This expansion has some of the most extensive voice acting of any in Warframe‘s history, specifically because of this system. Once the expansion is out this winter, you’ll be able to switch seamlessly between your modern-day Warframe and a Protoframe skin.
Each Protoframe will have something to say to you as you switch to them, when you fight, and even while you’re not using them. The system is superb, adding another layer of customization to the game because it saves your custom setup for both your Warframe and your Protoframe.
In addition to that system, the expansion adds an Atomicycle mount that you can unlock and summon at any point in its world. This futuristic motorcycle is capable of 90-degree turns and dodging bullets. Finally, there are more weapons like the AX-52 Rifle that are grounded weapons based on ones you might see in real life.
Make a Wish fulfillment in Warframe: 1999
One of Warframe‘s voice actors discovered that the Make a Wish Foundation had received a request from one of the many children it supports to become a voice actor and have to have fans. The developer worked with the foundation during TennoCon 2024 to get this child’s voice recorded and added into Warframe: 1999, where they’ll be a permanent addition to the universe fans can hear forever.
The first part of this wish was fulfilled by the developer recording and adding the voice to the game, but the second part, to have fans, was fulfilled by the community at the event and at home cheering them on. You can hear the voice early on in the expansion’s demo as Arthur walks up to an arcade machine that starts up and runs what sounds like an enticing audio advertisement for passers-by.
The Lotus Eaters quest
In August 2024, well before Warframe: 1999 is released, we’re going to be getting a brand new prologue quest called The Lotus Eaters for those who have completed everything to date and want a little more to prepare themselves for the upcoming expansion.
I don’t have many details on what this quest will entail other than the fact that Digital Extremes has confirmed we’ll be meeting up with a familiar character once again. I’ll leave you to ponder the key art above and wonder who that might be.
Sevagoth Prime
At long last, it’s time for Sevagoth Prime to enter Warframe. This stunning new version of what I can only describe as the Warframe equivalent of death itself looks gorgeous. As with all Prime Warframes, you’ll be able to pick this one up by cracking Void Relics or purchasing Prime Access when it’s released in August alongside The Lotus Eaters quest.
Permanent Heirloom Skins for Ember and Rhino
High-fidelity Heirloom skins for Ember and Rhino are returning to Warframe and will no longer be time-gated. They’re permanently available to those who want to pick them up. Ember’s is back in the game right now, while Rhino’s is charging back into the fray in 2025.
Unannounced Warframe Update 2024
Digital Extremes confirmed that in addition to The Lotus Eaters quest and Warframe: 1999, players could look forward to yet another update for the game at some point in 2024. Other than the catchy name of Unnanounced Warframe Update 2024, I know nothing about it. This update should arrive before the game’s big expansion, but we’ll have to wait and see where it lands because things can change.
Warframe: 1999 anime short
Finally, Digital Extremes announced that it’s collaborating with animation studio The Line on a Warframe: 1999 anime short. I don’t know what sort of story the anime will show us, but it’s slated to explore more of the expansion’s world and bring Waframe into a new medium for everyone to enjoy.
Soulframe demo and new Preludes content
Soulframe is the next game Digital Extremes is working on, one that’s been in an early access form for some time now. This early access program, Soulframe Preludes, will be receiving new content for those participating to play through and give feedback on.
The Soulframe Devstream at TennoCon 2024 showed those content off, including a new Ancestor to rescue, a brand new world boss to defeat, and another major boss teaser. The new boss is a grotesque amalgamation of a bear’s body and skull with moose heads as antlers and looks absolutely terrifying.
Given the early access nature of Soulframe, the developer hasn’t provided a window for when this new content will be added. But the teaser gave us yet another fascinating look into the game’s world, one I’m extremely excited to explore.
TennoCon 2025 dates revealed
Now that TennoCon 2024 is over, it’s time to look to the future. Digital Extremes announced that TennoCon 2025 would return to London, Ontario, Canada, from July 18 to 19, 2024. If you missed out this year and wanted to attend, make sure you book your tickets as soon as they become available.
