In the realm of live-service gaming, Warframe stands out as a benchmark for a fair and customer-oriented pricing model. Unlike many games that lock essential content behind expansions or seasonal battle passes, Warframe is genuinely free-to-play, with its only premium paywall revolving around cosmetic items.
The forthcoming Techrot Encore update is set to enhance the game’s cosmetic features even further, making it more accessible for all players.
Embracing Fashionframe: Accessibility in Warframe’s March Update
The adage “Fashionframe is the real endgame”resonates deeply within the Warframe community. As players accumulate Platinum—the premium in-game currency earned through trading—their focus often shifts to acquiring new cosmetic items that enhance their favorite Warframes.
While the existing cosmetic purchasing system is generally straightforward, it has one significant hurdle for budding fashion enthusiasts: the infamous bundle system. Several Warframes offer Deluxe cosmetic bundles that combine a Deluxe skin with various accessory items like syandanas, ephemeras, and other customizations—requiring a one-time purchase rather than individual options.
This bundling can be frustrating for players who end up purchasing only the Deluxe skin initially, only to find that they want the exclusive accessories later on. In such cases, to obtain those desired items, players are compelled to pay the full bundle price once again. For instance, I initially bought the Rhino Palatine skin for 165 Platinum, but now I wish to acquire the Hammers Palatine skin for my Magistar and must repurchase the entire Palatine Pack at 225 Platinum.
What’s New in the Upcoming Update?
With the upcoming Techrot Encore update, Warframe is set to introduce an innovative feature called the “Pro-rated Bundle”system. This new approach ensures that the price of bundles will automatically adjust to reflect any items you already possess. For example, rather than spending 225 Platinum for the Palatine Hammer skin and syandana, I’d only need to pay 50 Platinum because I already own the Palatine skin.
This adjustment extends to all Platinum-based purchases within the game, including collections like the Gemini Collection. If players have previously acquired any of the original Protoframe skins, they can now purchase the 1999 Gemini Pact Collection for 1200 Platinum at a reduced rate, allowing for a more economical acquisition of the remaining items. However, it’s essential to note that this feature does not apply to non-Platinum transactions—for instance, the 1999 Gemini Oath Collection on PC or any Prime Access packs.
- This update emphasizes user experience and promotes a more equitable purchasing environment, encouraging players to genuinely engage with Warframe’s cosmetic possibilities.
- Pro-rated bundles reflect a growing trend in gaming towards fairer microtransaction systems, potentially setting a precedent for other titles.