Digital Extremes took the stage at TennoCon 2026 in London, Ontario, delivering a barrage of announcements that signal a transformative year for both its flagship title and its ambitious new IP. With Warframe set to receive its most technically advanced open-world expansion yet and Soulframe finally locking in a concrete early access launch window, the Canadian developer has laid out a roadmap that extends well into 2027. The event, streamed globally to millions, underscored the studio's commitment to its community-driven development model.
Warframe's 'Stellar Plains' expansion redefines open-world gameplay
The centerpiece of the Warframe showcase was undoubtedly 'Stellar Plains,' an expansion that creative director Rebecca Ford described as the game's most ambitious undertaking since its 2013 launch. Unlike the static landscapes of previous open-world zones, Stellar Plains introduces procedurally generated environments, meaning no two expeditions will be identical. This shift addresses a long-standing community request for greater replayability in Warframe's sprawling maps, moving away from the fixed layouts of Fortuna and Cetus.
The expansion also introduces aerial combat for Necramechs, the hulking war machines that have become a staple of high-level play. Ford demonstrated a seamless transition from ground combat to high-speed aerial dogfights against new Sentient aerial units. 'We've been listening to the community for years on this one,' she told the roaring crowd. 'The sky is no longer the limit.' The update, slated for November 2026, will also feature a base-building mechanic where clans can establish and defend outposts against periodic invasions, adding a persistent strategic layer to the game's social systems.
Aether, the 57th Warframe, bends space and time
Digital Extremes unveiled Aether, a chronomancy-themed Warframe capable of manipulating the flow of battle. Aether's abilities allow players to create localized time bubbles that slow enemy projectiles, accelerate ally reload speeds, and even rewind a downed teammate's state by a few crucial seconds. This marks the first time a Warframe has been designed with direct temporal manipulation mechanics, placing it in a unique support-damage hybrid role that could redefine the current meta.
Alongside Aether, the developers introduced a modular Archgun system. Players can now disassemble heavy weapons into three core components—barrel, receiver, and ammunition type—each with distinct stats and visual flair. This deepens the crafting ecosystem and offers endgame players a new avenue for min-maxing their arsenals. The system is expected to launch alongside Stellar Plains, giving veterans a fresh grind to chase during the holiday season.
Soulframe's early access begins September 15, 2026
After years of cryptic teasers and closed alpha tests, Digital Extremes confirmed that Soulframe will enter free-to-play early access on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store on September 15, 2026. The announcement was met with a standing ovation, reflecting the pent-up anticipation for a title that promises a slower, more methodical fantasy experience compared to Warframe's frenetic pace. The early access build will feature the introductory region of the Midrath Kingdom and three base character classes: the Warden, the Rogue, and the Spellblade.
Chief creative officer Steve Sinclair emphasized that the early access period is expected to last at least two years, with the full launch likely occurring in late 2028. 'This is a living, breathing world that we want to build with you, not for you,' Sinclair said, reinforcing the studio's philosophy of iterative development. The game's business model will mirror Warframe's, relying entirely on cosmetic microtransactions and a premium battle pass with no pay-to-win mechanics, a decision that has been widely praised by industry analysts following the controversy surrounding other AAA fantasy MMOs in 2025.
The Omen Beast and ancestral spirit combat
A new gameplay deep-dive revealed the Omen Beast system, which forms the core of Soulframe's combat philosophy. Each player bonds with a spectral animal companion—such as a wolf, bear, or raven—that dictates their skill tree and ultimate abilities. This system is a direct evolution of Warframe's Focus schools but integrated into the narrative fabric of the world, where these spirits are the remnants of fallen guardians. The bond deepens through quests, unlocking new combat maneuvers and traversal abilities.
The presentation also introduced a formidable new enemy faction, The Veiled. These ethereal hunters can sever a player's connection to their Omen Beast, temporarily disabling their most powerful abilities. Sinclair described encounters with The Veiled as 'mini-boss fights that can happen anywhere, anytime,' designed to keep players on edge even in familiar territory. The game will launch with full controller support and is optimized for the Steam Deck, a strategic move to capture the portable gaming audience that has grown exponentially throughout 2026.
Warframe 1999 continues with 'The Hex Protocol' narrative update
The critically acclaimed Warframe 1999 alternate-history storyline, which debuted last year (2025), will expand with 'The Hex Protocol' in August 2026. This update continues the saga of Arthur Nightingale and his team as they race against the Y2K-inspired apocalypse. Unlike the base game's often fragmented storytelling, The Hex Protocol will be delivered through a series of fully voiced, cinematic quests where player dialogue choices directly influence character relationships and mission outcomes.
Digital Extremes is leaning heavily into the late-90s aesthetic for this update, introducing period-appropriate weapons like a portable CD-player grenade launcher and a CRT-monitor inspired UI skin. The soundtrack, composed by Keith Power, incorporates grunge and industrial rock influences, a departure from the game's usual orchestral score. This narrative experiment has proven to be a massive success, with Steam player counts for the 1999 content surpassing all previous quest releases by a margin of 40% in its first month.
Next-gen console optimizations and full cross-save integration
On the technical front, Digital Extremes confirmed that native PlayStation 5 Pro and Xbox Series X versions of Warframe are in development, targeting 120 FPS performance with ray-traced reflections. These versions are expected to launch in early 2027. More immediately, the studio announced that full cross-save functionality will finally extend to mobile platforms by October 2026, allowing iOS and Android players to seamlessly sync their progress with PC and consoles. This move completes a years-long initiative to unify the Warframe account ecosystem across all available platforms.
A surprise collaboration with Cyberpunk: Edgerunners and a global charity drive
In a move that caught even seasoned leakers off guard, Digital Extremes revealed a limited-time collaboration with the hit anime series Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, produced by Japan's Studio Trigger. Set to arrive in the final quarter of 2026, the crossover will introduce cosmetic bundles inspired by the show's iconic characters, including a David Martinez-themed Operator suit and a Lucy-inspired Warframe skin with netrunner visual effects. This marks Warframe's first major anime partnership and signals a broader strategy to engage with pop culture crossovers following the success of similar ventures by competitors like Destiny 2.
The event closed with the launch of 'Tenno United,' a year-long global community initiative. Players will collectively work towards in-game milestones, with Digital Extremes pledging to convert the community's progress into a substantial real-world donation to children's hospitals across North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia. As of July 2026, the initiative has already raised over $2 million in pledged contributions, setting a new standard for corporate social responsibility in the live-service gaming sector.
