Of all of the ways to find yourself on a spaceship, playing a lot of Warframe might be the cheapest. At Tennocon 2019, developer Digital Extremes announced a contest to win $250,000 towards a trip to space.
Contestants can earn extra chances to win by playing Warframe every day. The contest runs until December 31, 2019, so you have plenty of time to grind your heart out to become a true spaceninja. The contest is a pretty clever way to encourage players to jump into Warframe, but I'm curious to hear more details about the prize itself.
The winner receives $250k toward the trip, but does that mean they'll have to pay for a portion of it? Sounds like it could get expensive fast. The contest is currently light on details—the only thing shared beyond the trailer is an official website page, but it's really just an ad for the game. Steven is on location at Tennocon and has a lot of exciting Warframe news to share, so keep an eye on our feed.
During Warframe's annual Tennocon convention, Digital Extremes unveiled a new trailer for the next quest in Warframe's main campaign, The New War. First teased during Tennocon last year, The New War sees the Sentients, an evil alien race that lives beyond the solar system, launch a full-scale invasion on Earth and its surrounding planets.
Among all the other updates announced at Tennocon today, this new quest is one of the most anticipated since it'll expand on Warframe's excellent but obscure story. You can watch the trailer above.
Despite being one of the best free-to-play games on PC, Warframe is not easy to get into. But during its annual Tennocon convention developer Digital Extremes announced that Warframe is eventually getting an entirely reworked new player experience which includes a brand new intro video by 10 Cloverfield Lane and Uncharted (the movie adaptation of the Playstation exclusive) director Dan Trachtenberg. This new video represents a narrative restructuring that will better introduce new players to the world of Warframe and help them choose their first suit of armor. It's also extremely badass.
The new introduction video is embedded above, and its existence heralds a complete rework of Warframe's intro, which hasn't really changed much since the game first launched back in 2013. Though game director Steve Sinclair didn't say when these changes would actually arrive in the game (it sounds like they're still a long way off), the idea is that Digital Extremes will eventually add new quests that better communicate what Warframe is today versus what it was six years ago.
Trachtenberg's intro is a key part of that. Instead of giving a brief introduction to the evil Grineer faction and then asking players to blindly choose which warframe they want to play as, this new intro does a much better job of establishing the universe, teasing each of the three starter warframes' abilities. It's also loaded with winks and nods for veterans to pore over.
I really love the idea of creating a context for how you're going to fight and why you're fighting.
Dan Trachtenberg, director
"Because so much of Warframe is just [doing missions], grabbing resources, and crafting, you're not really focusing on the story," Dan Trachtenberg tells me. He's not just a director but also a passionate Warframe fan with a few hundred hours under his belt and a Mastery Rank 17 character. He tells me he first started playing when a friend recommended Warframe while Trachtenberg was filming 10 Cloverfield Lane, and it's been an obsession of his ever since.
As a veteran player, Trachtenberg understands exactly what areas of Warframe's intro needed improvement. "You're so focused on the gameplay," he says. "I really love the idea of creating a context for how you're going to fight and why you're fighting. Those were the primary ideas that I don't know are perfectly expressed [in the current introduction]."
Though it's anyone's guess what shape Warframe's reworked tutorial will take, Trachtenberg's new prologue is as good an introduction to the mysticism and violence that makes Warframe so much fun. In the current tutorial, players are forced to choose their starting weapons and warframe without any clue how each handles itself in combat—just a written overview of their abilities. Trachtenberg's new intro shows each of the frames in action, slaughtering hordes of Grineer using their various abilities.
Keen Warframe players will notice some key differences, though. For example Mag doesn't have an ability to gather bullets fired at her and unleash them back at her enemies—not yet, anyway. I'm told it's one of the new abilities coming in a Mag rework at a later date.
The tone of the intro is also much moodier and more representative of Warframe's universe as it is today. During a special early screening, Sinclair explained that Warframe has grown and changed so much since that initial tutorial, adding more lore, cultures, and characters that aren't explored at all in the current intro. Remember that when Warframe was first released, it didn't have much a story—it was largely just you and three friends bullet-sliding through procedurally generated corridors. This new intro not only teases the major plot twist revealed much later in Warframe's story quests, but it also introduces players to cultures like the Ostram who live on the remains of Earth.
It's cool to see Trachtenberg join forces with Digital Extremes to create something that captures the essence of what Warframe is all about. This isn't the first time Trachtenberg has adapted videogames to short film, though. In 2011, Trachtenberg directed the fan film Portal: No Escape, which is also pretty cool. He's also directing the upcoming Uncharted movie, based on the hit Naughty Dog series.
You can watch Trachtenberg's Warframe short film above. Digital Extremes won't actually add it to Warframe until late this year or early next year—the studio is always loosey-goosey with deadlines. But it will likely accompany some of the revamped player experience Digital Extremes is planning.
I'm here at Tennocon 2019. It's an exciting show and well worth tuning in, which you can do here.
Warframe's annual fan festival, Tennocon 2019, is kicking off today with exciting reveals and updates on the horizon. The biggest announcements aren't happening until 3 p.m. PST during Tennolive, but there's a whole day of fun stuff happening on the Tennocon stage, which you can watch right now.
For reference, here's the full Tennocon 2019 schedule:
11:00 AM ET - 12:00 PM ET — Warframe Partner Stream with Alyek & BackyardisTV
12:00 PM ET - 1:00 PM ET — From Concept to Creation: The Art of Warframe
1:00 PM ET - 2:00 PM ET — Warframe Partner Q&A
2:00 PM ET - 3:00 PM ET — Sounds of the System
3:00 PM ET - 4:00 PM ET — Sanctuary Showcase Game Show
4:00 PM ET - 5:00 PM ET — 4th Annual Cosplay Contest
5:00 PM ET - 6:00 PM ET — Warframe Partner Stream with Bricky & Bast_50
6:00 PM ET - 7 PM ET — TENNOLIVE
Steven is also boots on the ground at Tennocon 2019 and has a lot of exciting stuff to talk about in the world of Warframe. Keep an eye on PC Gamer to stay up to date if you can't catch the event live.
Utilizing years of Tenno feedback, we’ve updated Wukong’s stats and abilities to make him more relevant to Warframe in 2019. Read on to learn the scope of the changes, which includes a preview of our upcoming Melee 3.0 Simplified Combo System changes in his Primal Fury ability!
Stat Changes
Health increased from 100 to 150 (at max rank increased from 300 to 450).
Energy increased from 100 to 120 (at max rank 150 to 180).
Shield decreased from 125 to 100 (at max rank decreased from 375 to 300). - Why? Since Wukong’s new kit now involves an armor buff, relying more on his health will enable a better synergy.
Sprint increased from .95 to 1.0.
Ability One: Celestial Twin
Replacing Iron Jab, Celestial Twin summons a Wukong clone to aid you in battle.
Wukong’s clone attacks from range while Wukong uses melee and vice versa, making his clone the ultimate back-up buddy in combat.
Press the ability again to command Wukong’s clone to attack a specific target with increased damage.
Wukong’s clone will remain until it runs out of life.
Reasons for changes: Iron Jab was replaced as it essentially exists as a weaker version of other powers. Wukong’s Ultimate can fulfill and surpass the role of Iron Jab, while fulfilling more of Wukong’s lore and creating a more powerful, synergized kit.
Ability Two: Cloud Walker
Faster, cheaper and stealthier than its previous form.
Wukong evaporates into a fast-moving cloud of mist that will temporarily daze and paralyze enemies in his path. While in his cloud of mist, Cloud Walker has the additional mechanic of healing Wukong and his clone.
His movement can be interrupted by attacking at any time.
Cloud Walker has a much faster cast time, which will no longer hold Wukong in place.
Wukong will no longer trigger laser traps or doors while using Cloud Walker.
Energy cost for Cloud Walker has been lowered.
Reasons for changes: Previously, Cloud Walker did not have many use cases as it was a slower and lesser stealth option than that of other frames. These changes make the Ability good for repositioning, more well-rounded - and WAY faster.
Ability Three: Defy
Achieve invulnerability through active, rather than passive, means.
Defy will now taunt enemies while Wukong and his clone gain temporary invulnerability with reduced movement speed. All damage is captured, stored and dealt back in a single furious long-range staff spin attack.
Based on the amount of damage prevented by Defy, Wukong and his clone will receive a temporary armor buff.
Press the ability again to trigger spin early.
Reasons for changes: Previously, Defy’s invulnerability was not very interactive. This change features invulnerability while encouraging more tactical, active and interesting gameplay techniques. As many of us used Defy to be immortal, it simply was too much of a set-it-and-forget it ability. Changing it to still offer invulnerability is important to us, and strengthening the rest of his Abilities makes up for the loss of complete god mode.
Ability Four: Primal Fury
Utilize the upcoming Melee 3.0 changes with Wukong’s legendary Staff.
Primal Fury will feature a new specialized and streamlined combo for Wukong’s Iron Staff. As a preview of the upcoming Melee 3.0 system, Wukong’s Primal Fury uses new combo routes with simplified inputs providing a safe, limited space to try out coming releases.
Damage for Wukong and his clone is redistributed for a more powerful feel, with a much higher status chance, larger base range and some slash.
Casting no longer holds Wukong in place. With new energy requirements, the cast cost of Primal Fury was lowered but cast drain was increased to be turned off and on as desired.
Animation has been trimmed.
The range of Wukong’s Iron Staff is always long, comparable to top range Zaws, and no longer needs to build combo to scale range.
Reasons for changes: When Primal Fury was initially used previously, it felt weak due to short range and after some use felt strong. These changes will enable a stronger, more exciting play while featuring a taste of the upcoming Melee 3.0 system.
Visit the forum post to learn more about Wukong’s rework, including his new Passive, Augment changes and more!
FINAL FANTASY VIII - contact@rockpapershotgun.com (Dave Irwin)
They just keep coming don’t they? A lot of games were announced at E3 2019, things that we didn’t know about, as well as stuff that’s previously announced, or expansions to already released games. Now, to the casual outsider, what we’re doing might seem absolutely nuts, but we thought we’d put together an alphabetical list of all the PC games that have been confirmed to appear at this year’s E3 show. With well over a hundred of them now in the books, the next year or so looks packed.
FINAL FANTASY VIII - contact@rockpapershotgun.com (Dave Irwin)
They just keep coming don’t they? A lot of games were announced at E3 2019, things that we didn’t know about, as well as stuff that’s previously announced, or expansions to already released games. Now, to the casual outsider, what we’re doing might seem absolutely nuts, but we thought we’d put together an alphabetical list of all the PC games that have been confirmed to appear at this year’s E3 show. With well over a hundred of them now in the books, the next year or so looks packed.
FINAL FANTASY VIII - contact@rockpapershotgun.com (Dave Irwin)
They just keep coming don’t they? A lot of games were announced at E3 2019, things that we didn’t know about, as well as stuff that’s previously announced, or expansions to already released games. Now, to the casual outsider, what we’re doing might seem absolutely nuts, but we thought we’d put together an alphabetical list of all the PC games that have been confirmed to appear at this year’s E3 show. With well over a hundred of them now in the books, the next year or so looks packed.
Prep your engines — our next leap forward, Warframe: Empyrean, has more information available!
Originally announced with the code-name Railjack at TennoCon last year, we just revealed a new teaser for Empyrean during the PC Gaming Show at E3 2019. Watch the new teaser trailer below, then read on to learn more about the full reveal at this year’s TennoCon!
Witness the full reveal of Warframe: Empyrean during TennoLive 2019! The keynote begins Saturday, July 6 at 6 p.m. ET on Twitch and Mixer.
During last year’s TennoLive, we revealed the first look at what would become Warframe: Empyrean. With our crew of four, we embarked on a coordinated assault against a Corpus capital ship orbiting Venus. We climbed aboard the Sigma-Series Railjack and took the pilot’s helm to showcase full-dimensional space flight and ship-to-ship combat. We gave you a taste of the Railjack’s Engineering capabilities, fought off a Corpus boarding party, then launched a team of our own to infiltrate and destroy the capital ship from the inside. If you missed last year’s show, watch the full demo here!
This year, we’re exploring the far reaches of the Origin System to reveal the total scope of Empyrean. From customization to cooperation, you won’t want to miss this display of Warframe’s new space combat experience.
GET YOUR FREE NEKROS PRIME AND LOTUS EPHEMERA
For the first time ever, we’re streaming all Main Stage TennoCon panels throughout the day before TennoLive! Watch any panel on Twitch or Mixer for 30 consecutive minutes to receive a free Lotus Ephemera. This drop ends at 5:59 p.m ET.
Then at 6 p.m. ET, watch TennoLive 2019 and witness the full reveal of Warframe: Empyrean to get a FREE Nekros Prime! You’ll earn him by watching the show for 30 consecutive minutes between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. ET. (Includes a free Warframe slot!)
LINK YOUR WARFRAME ACCOUNT TO TWITCH OR MIXER
To get your free Nekros Prime and Ephemera drops, you’ll first need to link your Warframe account to your Twitch or Mixer account. Need help? Follow the links below to easily link your accounts together!
Whether you’re coming to TennoCon or watching TennoLive at home, we can’t wait to show you what’s next in Warframe. It’s been an incredible six-year journey together, and your enthusiasm and support means everything to us. See you at the show, Tenno!
During the PC Gaming Show today, Warframe's live ops and community director Rebecca Ford took the stage to tease Warframe's new Empyrean expansion ahead of its Tennocon convention. Previously referred to as Railjack, the newly named Empyrean expansion represents a significant new addition to Warframe's sprawling world: ship-to-ship combat in space.
First announced last year at Tennocon, Empyrean takes a team of three players into orbit around planets to fight against enemy capital ships. It's kind of like FTL in that each player on the ship will have different responsibilities to juggle, like putting out fires or repelling enemy invasions, boarding the enemy ship to sabotage it from the inside, or shooting at squadrons of enemy ships. It looks hectic and ambitious as hell.
This is just a tease, though. The trailer debuting at the PC Gaming Show does hint at some exciting details, like space flight being available in multiple areas instead of just above Venus, but the full reveal will happen at Tennocon on July 6. The physical event is in London, Ontario, Canada, but if you don't feel like making the pilgrimage you can instead watch it on Twitch. Ford also revealed that all Twitch viewers who link their Warframe account with Twitch will also get a free Nekros Prime.
Below: Our backstage interview with Digital Extremes at the PC Gaming Show.
If you're not super familiar with Warframe, you can switch between different suits of armor that are each like their own RPG class. Prime versions are exceptionally powerful and very rare (or expensive), and Nekros is especially badass because he can punch people so hard their souls explode from their body and become a deadly projectile. It's pretty metal. So even if you're new to Warframe, having Nekros Prime in your arsenal is pretty great.
