Digital Extremes, the studio behind Warframe, is opening up its fantasy action RPG Soulframe to all players starting November 6. This marks the transition to an open alpha after three years of invite-only playtests. The impending launch will be followed by a substantial update later in November, described by the developers as one of the game's "biggest, most violent" structural changes.
Prelude 17: Verse of the Veilands
The upcoming update, codenamed Prelude 17 or Verse of the Veilands, is poised to radically alter Soulframe's open world, Midrath. Creative Director Geoff Crookes explained that the once verdant landscape will become corrupted, tasking players with its restoration. "You're going to enter a game that is much more unforgiving and harsh at first glance," Crookes stated during a recent presentation. The developers aim to enhance the onboarding experience and grant players greater agency early in their journey. While not the final version, the content available will provide the foundational elements of the completed game.
This shift was influenced by player feedback indicating difficulty in reaching the game's more open-ended sections. The Verse of the Veilands update will introduce a more directed main quest to teach players how to combat the siphons draining the world's color. As zones are cleansed, enemies and available resources will change, and side activities such as fishing will become accessible. Players will also be able to raise a wolf pup into a rideable mount.
The update will also integrate worldbuilding more directly into gameplay. Faction leaders will provide more extensive narrative content through in-game radio communications, offering deeper insights into the world's history. The development team intends for these characters to play a more integral role in guiding players as they work to purify Midrath.
A new "Pact," Soulframe's equivalent to a class, is also being introduced. Though its final name was undecided at the time of the presentation, it is described as a "hunter, poacher-type Pact" associated with the alien Ode race. This Pact will allow players to tether enemies with a sci-fi bola, impale them with spikes, and launch them away using a balloon, similar to mechanics seen in Metal Gear Solid 5.
The developers acknowledged the extensive nature of the Verse of the Veilands update, with some elements still undergoing adjustments shortly before its reveal. Lead designer Scott McGregor expressed hope that the update would be ready for the open alpha. The team plans to showcase the final version of the Verse of the Veilands content during a stream on the Soulframe Twitch channel. Despite the ambitious changes, the developers are approaching the launch with a mix of excitement and apprehension, hoping for positive player reception.