Warframe: Everything We Know

Warframe is Digital Extremes’ free-to-play online action game, and it’s been on Xbox since 2014. Its next big chapter, Warframe: Tau, arrives free in December 2026 with a new star system and a noir detective Warframe called Brysko. Here’s everything we know, from Game Pass and cloud play to Tau.

Warframe is out now on Xbox. Our latest news story is Warframe: Tau Arrives Free on Xbox in December, With Matthew Mercer’s Noir Detective Brysko.

What is Warframe?

It’s a story-driven online action game played in third person. You awaken as one of the Tenno and, guided by the mysterious Lotus, fight warring factions across a sprawling interplanetary system known as the Origin System. You level up your Warframe, each with its own abilities, and build an Arsenal of weapons. The Xbox Store listing calls it a “genre-defining looter-shooter”.

Warframe first launched in 2013. Digital Extremes says more than 90 million players have joined it since.

Who makes Warframe?

Digital Extremes develops and publishes it.

Which Xbox consoles can you play it on?

Warframe is on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. It’s a Smart Delivery title and is Optimised for Xbox Series X|S. Players on both generations can play together, and your saves are stored in the cloud. It launched on Xbox One on 2 September 2014.

Is Warframe free to play?

Yes. It’s free to download from the Xbox Store, and it has optional in-game purchases.

Is Warframe on Game Pass?

No. It isn’t in the Game Pass library, but since it’s free to play, you don’t need a subscription to download it.

Can you play Warframe with Xbox Cloud Gaming?

Yes. The Xbox Store lists it as cloud playable with Game Pass Essential, Premium or Ultimate.

Is Warframe on Xbox Play Anywhere?

No, it isn’t an Xbox Play Anywhere game.

What is Warframe: Tau, and when is it out?

Warframe: Tau is a free update coming in December 2026. Digital Extremes hasn’t given an exact date yet. It was first revealed at TennoCon 2026 in July, and Devstream 198 on 30 October gave the first detailed look. Digital Extremes says it will show more in its next Devstream on 27 November.

Tau takes you beyond the Origin System to a new star system. According to the official Tau page, it includes:

• A new single-player cinematic story chapter
• Fornax, a mob-run ring city with a new social hub, MANIFOLD 90-BF
• Perita, a war-ruined desert moon with a revamped Survival mission
• New enemies, including the Fornax Drowners, a new Sentient faction, and the Hunra, a brutal kingpin
• The Cleaving Glaive, a new ally Syndicate
• Portau, Warframe’s first card game, played at the Fornax casino tables

The Old Peace update in December 2025 showed what Tau once was. Warframe: Tau shows what’s left of it.

Who is Brysko?

Brysko is the 67th Warframe, a detective noir hero and the main character in Tau’s story quest. His inner monologue is voiced by Matthew Mercer, of The Legend of Vox Machina. Brysko fights with Rain & Shine fist weapons, exploding Portau cards and an Exalted magnum called Corecracker, and he has a Hound companion. When Tau launches, you’ll be able to unlock him instantly from the Warframe Market or earn him by playing. He also introduces a new type of cosmetic, the Chimera Skin.

What else is coming to Warframe?

• Koumei Enshoujo: Koumei’s first Deluxe Skin arrives alongside Tau in December
• Nezha Heirloom Skin: co-designed with Mati Tapia and Stephan Sotelting of Sumo Digital, it’s due in early 2027
• Epoch Operation: Taubound: a one-time community operation that is live now until 17 November, ahead of Tau
• Portau merch: a physical Portau Card Collection and Playmat are up for pre-order from the official Warframe Merch Store

How many achievements does Warframe have?

Warframe has 109 achievements worth 3,725 Gamerscore. That’s 39 achievements worth 1,000G in the base game, plus 24 free add-on packs with the rest. TrueAchievements estimates 80 to 100 hours for the base 1,000G.

Everything we’ve written about the game is in one place on our Warframe hub, and we’ll keep this page updated as Digital Extremes shares more about Tau.

Last updated 30 October 2026.