Digital Extremes is taking a bold new direction with their upcoming expansion for Warframe, The Old Peace. By focusing on themes of true war and its human cost, the developers aim to create a more somber and emotional experience for players. Set during the war between the Orokin and Sentients in the Tau system, this narrative quest explores a brief, brittle period of peace and raises questions about what happened before that moment.
“We’re really going to lean into themes of true war,” says creative director Rebb Ford. “That way, when you go back there, you’ll recognize everything in the same way a battle of old would be recognized.” This approach is reflected in the demo, which debuted at TennoCon and features World War I-inspired anime fights, but also highlights the human cost of war.
The Old Peace aims to connect with players on a deeper level by exploring individual battlefield horror stories rather than relying on historical records. Lead writer Adrian Bott notes that “the idea of war poetry in itself might seem ironic, but it’s not rendering something brutal whimsical in the slightest.” The expansion will also feature music inspired by World War I, including a song sung by Sentients as they crossed the deep gulf of space to Tau.
Principal writer Kat Kingsley believes that Warframe does well to tell epic sci-fi stories from a human aspect, connecting them to human emotions. “I think with this update, we’re telling a war story from a place of human emotion,” she says. The developers are confident in their ability to navigate the tonal shift away from previous expansions and believe it will resonate with players.
The Old Peace is set to launch later this year and marks a significant departure from Warframe’s previous expansion. While its release date has not been confirmed, the game will head to an entire new solar system – the Tau – in 2026.
Source: https://aftermath.site/warframe-old-peace-world-war-one-interview-tennocon