LONDON, Ontario — The ever-evolving online action RPG Warframe from developer Digital Extremes has seen many remarkable expansions that have fleshed out its massive universe.
Following updates that have introduced ship combat, open world zones to explore, and a roguelite-inspired mode, Warframe is now preparing its most ambitious story-driven campaign yet—a wild trip back in time to an alternate 1999.
The upcoming Warframe 1999 expansion will introduce a new time travel story campaign that channels the style and tone of cyberpunk fiction and ’90s era sci-fi films like The Matrix and Johnny Mnemonic. Taking on the role of a high-powered mercenary from an alternate 1999, players will battle with evil forces that stretch across time and space.
Ahead of 1999’s new gameplay reveal at TennoCon 2024, the annual fan event celebrating the Warframe community, Level Infinite sat down with Warframe creative director Rebecca Ford to talk about how the massive update puts a deeper focus on role-playing and bonding with a crew of mercs during the chaotic final days of the old millennium.
Let’s party like it’s 1999
Warframe 1999 is an expansion that continues the main story following the events of the Whisper in the Walls campaign, which saw the Tenno faction face off against the enigmatic antagonist known as The Man in the Wall.
When the mysterious scientist Albrecht Entrati uses Orokin technology to travel to the past to escape the growing influence of the Man in the Wall, he comes into conflict with the 1999 storyline’s new protagonist named Arthur (played by Ben Starr) and his mercenary crew.
Arthur and gang are seemingly precursors to the Tenno of the present era, and players will take control of Arthur as he undertakes missions in a city overrun by corrupted technological mutants in conflicts that will seemingly set future events in the present timeline into motion.
1999 is a direct continuation of Warframe‘s recent updates, forming a more connective plot.
According to the creative director, 1999 is a direct continuation of Warframe‘s recent updates, forming a more connective plot. This expansion builds on the events of the Whisper in the Walls campaign, further exploring the conflict between the Tenno and The Man in the Wall.
It also introduces new ways to interact with a key group of characters, enhancing the depth of the game’s narrative, while also presenting some stunning action sequences set within a stylized ’90s era city.
For our take on that ’90s vibe, we wanted to reference a lot of the style and music of that era, but we mostly wanted to highlight things like the gaming culture of the nineties.
Rebecca Ford, Warframe creative director
“For our take on that ’90s vibe, we wanted to reference a lot of the style and music of that era, but we mostly wanted to highlight things like the gaming culture of the nineties. It was the idea of tech and ubiquitous screen usage becoming more of the norm, and having it set in this European-style city, we’ve created a great setting for us to see where our story with Albrecht and his trip through time plays out.”
Building a squad to face the unknown
Much like with Warframe‘s core loop, players will be fighting against enemies and bosses using a variety of melee weapons and firearms, along with advanced parkour and elemental abilities to cut foes down.
Throughout 1999, players will take Arthur and his crew on missions in the city, which sees them ride stylized motorcycles to objectives, pulling off stunts and other slick maneuvers. It’ll feel familiar with classic moments and themes of the cyberpunk genre but still in keeping with Warframe‘s weird and alluring universe.
Along with taking on combat missions, 1999 also allows players to bond with Arthur’s crew at their base. Along with his sister, Arthur can meet up with other members of the team to have private chats on’ 90s-era instant messenger chats. In these chats, Arthur can learn more about them to strengthen their bonds throughout the story and can even potentially form romances with teammates.
Ford said the 1999 campaign has an element of romance to it, with its storyline building up to a big climatic moment in the last days of 1999.
“We thought of a really nice punctuation mark on what makes the theme of New Year’s,” Ford said. “There’s always a sort of combination in a New Year’s kiss, which is an extraordinary moment for these characters and for you to be able to meet them for sure.”
In addition to Warframe 1999, other updates are coming to the game this year as well. The Lotus Eaters update is coming ahead of 1999, which will serve as a direct prelude to the events of 1999.
We’re hoping that with the 1999 update, we can show the world and our community that we’re still pushing this thing as far as we can.
Rebecca Ford, Warframe creative director
Also, players can look out for a new Frame and quality-of-life updates. At the upcoming Tokyo Game Show 2024 event, Digital Extremes also has plans to reveal more content coming to the game in 2024 and beyond.
“I’ve got pretty high expectations on myself and the team to keep development going. Warframe, as it is now, requires a lot of innovation with our ideas and technology, and we’re hoping that with the 1999 update, we can show the world and our community that we’re still pushing this thing as far as we can,” said Ford.
Warframe 1999 is planned for release in Winter 2024, with further updates coming in 2025.
