On May 10th, Digital Extremes took to PAX East’s main theater with a content filled Devstream for their marque title, Warframe and their upcoming fantasy MMORPG, Soulframe. During Devstream 188, both games were able to shine with exciting trailers and gameplay reveals for upcoming content. For Warframe, they showcased the upcoming Isleweaver update, and for Soulframe, a brief glimpse was shown for the recently released Preludes 10 update and a tease of what’s to come at TennoCon 2025.
The reveals for both games were very exciting, and so far Preludes 10 has been enjoyable. But with features like the Mote system still being worked on – as well as everything regarding Isleweaver still being under wraps before its release later this month. I was eager to learn a little more, and thanks to Danielle Sokolowski, the Senior Community Manager for Warframe and Sarah Asselin, the Senior Community Manager for Soulframe, I was able to get just a bit more detail about the reveals.
Soulframe Preludes 10 and Mote System Devstream 188 Q&A
During the Soulframe segment of the Devstream, gameplay was shown off for the new Mote system and how it functions in gameplay. While the Motes serve as a way of replacing Idols, are there any Motes that serve similar purposes to Garren Rood or Ode Tempest Idols?
“While they aren’t exactly 1:1 equivalents, some Motes may have traits a few Idols had in past Preludes builds, but now within a gameplay system that should feel more flexible and customizable for a variety of gameplay styles. You are seeing our approach to building this game in real time with things like this! Iterating on community feedback once Motes are live will be essential to the system’s longevity.” – Sarah Asselin
The Tired King (now named The Mendicant King) looked like an awesome boss to take down in the overworld. Will Midrath Island and potentially new areas in the future feature more world bosses to take down? If so, are there any plans on making more bosses like him for the Ode instead of this enemy faction?
“Yes! The goal is definitely to expand the idea of world bosses in future updates. Player feedback for The Mendicant King now will help us understand how players interact with a boss like this one and help shape future designs. It’s very important for us to experiment with new development/gameplay ideas and see what our Preludes players gravitate towards. It’s fresh for them and rejuvenating for us as creatives to iterate on feedback directly given to us by our community of players.” – Sarah Asselin
Isleweaver Duviri Changes, More Reworks and Heirloom Devstream 188 Q&A
I am personally very excited for a return to Duviri. But one change that’s coming in the new version that launches in June makes it so Warframes are used primarily instead of the Drifter. What drove this decision?
“At the end of the day, it came down to the “fun-factor” people are familiar with when playing as their Warframes. The Drifter’s combat style was refreshing and a change of pace to the usual Warframe gameplay two years ago in The Duviri Paradox, but we knew we weren’t done with that plotline just yet, with how central it is to Drifter as a character. This is kind of a full-circle moment for us to bring that Warframe-first gameplay into this environment. Also… Warframes riding Kaithes is too cool to pass up on (at least we think so!) I’m planning to gear up Mesa so I can properly live out my cowgirl dreams. Yeehaw!” – Danielle Sokolowski
The Valkyr rework looks pretty exciting to me personally, and I know it’s too early to talk about a new rework for long requested frames (like Oberon and Chroma). When do you guys think it will be time to talk about a new rework, as Caliban’s was announced at TennoCon last year.
“We keep tabs on the Warframes that players would like to have us revisit, but reworks are an intensive process that requires a lot of mindful consideration. There isn’t one true “rework development cycle” per se, but when we see a window of opportunity and time allows, we’ll let the community know once it’s in a state where we can share some details on a Devstream, Devshorts, or a dev workshop on the forums to continue the conversation with players from there. We make those calls when we have the right idea and it feels right for the game and the Warframe itself!” – Danielle Sokolowski
On the topic of Valkyr too, her and Vauban are getting very great looking Heirloom Skins (Valkyrs especially seems to be challenging Embers visually). But I feel like a specific Warframe was skipped, namely Excalibur. Are there any plans to go back and make an heirloom skin for the poster child of the game?
“We don’t have any plans for our poster boy, but never say never! Out of respect to our Excalibur Prime Founders, we would, however, tread carefully. It has to be the right time and place. Maybe one day a community fan concept will come along that speaks to us, and he’ll ascend to Heirloom form, as was the case for both the Valkyr and Vauban Heirloom concepts.” – Danielle Sokolowski
Special thanks to Digital Extremes for allowing us at Lords of Gaming the opportunity to ask these questions, and I hope you enjoy the read, dear viewer!
