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How the Canadians behind Warframe and Soulframe keep going strong as other live service games struggle

Essential brief

At the 11th annual TennoCon in London, Ontario, Digital Extremes revealed major updates for its sci-fi multiplayer game Warframe and its fantasy action-RPG Soulframe. Despite challenges faced by ma

Key topics

canadians behind warframe soulframe keep strong other live service games struggle other live service games struggle 11th TennoCon

Key facts

Digital Extremes maintains Warframe's popularity through regular updates and community focus.

Soulframe is being developed gradually with player input to build long-term engagement.

TennoCon serves as a critical event for fan interaction and feedback.

Consistent content delivery helps prevent stagnation in live service games.

Highlights

The 11th annual TennoCon attracted over 4,000 attendees and hundreds of thousands online.

Warframe's Tau expansion features a noir detective theme with voice acting by Matthew Mercer.

Soulframe's showcase introduced key characters played by Ben Starr and Jennifer English.

Digital Extremes follows a steady update schedule with major expansions and frequent hotfixes.

Community engagement is central to Digital Extremes' development strategy for both games.

Why it matters

Digital Extremes' approach to live service game development highlights the importance of consistent updates and community engagement in sustaining player interest. As many live service games face decline or closure, Warframe's continued success demonstrates a viable model for longevity in the genre. This strategy also supports the growth of new titles like Soulframe, indicating potential for future expansion within the live service market.

The 11th annual TennoCon event took place last week in London, Ontario, drawing over 4,000 fans in person and hundreds of thousands online. Digital Extremes (DE), the local developer, showcased significant updates for Warframe and its standalone sister game, Soulframe. Warframe's latest expansion, Tau, features a noir detective theme with voice acting by Matthew Mercer, while Soulframe highlighted its narrative with characters portrayed by Ben Starr and Jennifer English.

Digital Extremes continues to maintain a strong global following for Warframe, even as other live service games like Destiny 2 have scaled back or shut down. DE president Sheldon Carter explained that the studio treats Warframe as a live service game with a consistent update schedule, including major expansions every few months and frequent hotfixes. This approach fosters a steady rhythm that keeps players engaged over the long term.

For Soulframe, DE is taking a measured approach to development, gradually building the game alongside its community. The studio views the current phase as a "new beginning" for both titles, introducing new content and expanding storylines to maintain player interest.

Community engagement remains central to DE's strategy. TennoCon serves as a key event for direct interaction with fans, providing valuable feedback and inspiration for the development team. Carter emphasized that maintaining a close relationship with the player base helps sustain momentum and ensures the games evolve in line with community expectations.

Despite the fast pace of updates and development, DE aims to avoid stagnation by continuously pushing the boundaries of both games. The studio's focus on consistent content delivery and community involvement positions Warframe and Soulframe to remain relevant in the competitive live service market.

Overall, Digital Extremes' commitment to steady development, strong community ties, and thoughtful expansion plans contributes to the ongoing success of Warframe and the promising growth of Soulframe.

Key topics in this update include canadians behind warframe, soulframe keep, and strong.