Warframe expands to a second solar system, starting with a sci-fi noir city

I recently wrote about Warframe’s inventive setting, which is full of genuinely weird and sometimes unsettling designs, unique scenarios like a far-future take on a debt internment colony or a dating sim that plays out over a ‘90s-era instant messenger, and a plot packed with emotional gut-punches. After thirteen years of development, Warframe is already a sprawling game with tons of content to chase down — but the game is about to embark into a new stage in the second solar system of Tau. 

The Tau update is set to arrive in 2026, with two new planets. This year’s TennoCon gave players an extended look at one of these worlds: the ringed city of Fornax, which looks like a far-future take with a classic noir vibe, complete with a seedy underbelly, smugglers moving illicit goods, a sympathetic dame singing at the local casino, and a new Warframe named Brysko (voiced by the prolific Matthew Mercer) who stops to gaze into the middle distance and take a long pull off a cigarette-like accessory. Fornax is also host to a casino, and players will be able to drop in and enjoy the vibes, or sit and play a host of card and chance games against AI or with other players. The live demo was showcased to close out this year's TennoCon presentation.

Tau will exist alongside the existing content in Warframe; everything released so far will be accessible from the player’s Orbiter, while we have to build a new vessel to shuttle towards the new content. The Tau system will be host to new quests, challenges, open hubs to explore, and more. You’ll need to make your way through the entire Warframe campaign to get there; unlike the Duviri Paradox, there’s no option to jump in early.

Digital Extremes announced some other content coming to Warframe. The next Warframe is a female ice-themed character unlocked through the quest Iceblade of Narin. In addition, the Hex will be getting some more content in the ‘99 mall — the gang is getting together to play a legally distinct version of D&D called Fables and Frontiers, and the Drifter is invited to participate in a text adventure.

Oh, and Excalibur – the game's most iconic Warframe – is now in Fortnite. So, that's nice. Love that for him.