Summary
Digital Extremes’Warframehas been going strong ever since it first launched in 2013. The studio is constantly updating it with exciting new content and has brought players on an intriguing sci-fi journey over the past decade. It seems like there is no stopping this free-to-play juggernaut, but all good things must end eventually.
Warframehas been able to last for over 10 years, but its success will not last forever. Players will lose interest, the microtransactions will stop selling, and the content will begin to slow down. As Digital Extremes begins to develop a brand-new MMO and publish another,Warframe’s last days may be closer than some people realize.
RELATED:8 Things That Warframe Does Better Than Other MMOs
Warframe Will Not Last Forever
Warframewas met with mixed reviews when it first launched, and it seemed like it was dead on arrival. The movement system and combat were fun, but the rest of the game was arguably mediocre. However, instead of letting the game die, Digital Extremes ensured thatWarframehad a future.
Digital Extremes grew its small playerbase by actually listening to it, utilizing popular streamers, and launching the game on new platforms like Steam. AfterWarframestarted making money, the studio grew and began churning out content for the free-to-play game. It released a consistent stream of engaging content, reworked some of the weaker sides of the title, and kept listening to its fanbase. This consistency and support helped the game grow considerably, and Digital Extremes has not looked back since.
Warframeis now available on almost every major platform, it has had numerous expansions and updates that have redefined its gameplay, and Digital Extremes has introduced massive new pieces of content that have given players a reason to keep coming back. While it is still rough around the edges, it has come a long way since its debut. It has become one of thebiggest free-to-play games on Steam, it has gone on to win plenty of awards during its tenure, and the studio seems committed to making it the best that it can be.
WhileWarframe’s success has been impressive, it will not last forever. Just like with every online game, the playerbase will eventually fall off. Players end up getting burnt out by the content or move on to other titles, and that has happened toWarframethroughout its lifetime. Once players stop playing the game or paying for microtransactions, the support will have to end. If the new content is not exciting enough, then those players will have little reason to return.
Digital Extremes is also developing and publishing brand-new MMOs that will likely split its resources and playerbase. At TennoCon 2022, the studioannounced the fantasy MMORPGSoulframeand that it was publishing Airship Syndicate’sWayfinder. While these projects have not been released yet, there is a strong chance that these three MMOs will cannibalize each other. Players may want to check out the new shiny title and the studio may focus on the more popular one. The three games will be different genres, but they will all be MMOs at their core, and that means they will be going after similar audiences.
SoulframeandWayfindermay also be exactly what Digital Extremes needs right now. The players who got burnt out onWarframemaycome toSoulframeorWayfinderfor something new, and vice versa. The games could help each other and build out the studio’s fanbase considerably, but that remains to be seen. WhileWarframewill not be dying tomorrow, these new experiences and its age may ultimately be its downfall.
Warframeis available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
