Digital Extremes is bringing the world of tabletop roleplaying games to Warframe with the introduction of Fables & Frontiers a new minigame that pays homage to the developer’s love for classic RPGs. This addition is more than just a new feature; it’s the fulfillment of a longtime dream for Amir, one of the beloved protoframes introduced in the 1999 expansion.
The announcement comes as part of the pre-TennoCon 2026 revelations, showcasing Digital Extremes’ commitment to expanding the Warframe universe while honoring its roots. Fables & Frontiers is set to become a permanent part of the Hex, offering players a unique way to engage with the game’s narrative and characters.
Amir’s dream becomes a reality
For longtime players, the name Fables & Frontiers will ring a bell. It’s the fantasy tabletop game that Amir, one of the protoframes, has always wanted to play with his friends. Now, that dream is coming true. Rebecca Ford Warframe’s creative director, shared that this mini adventure will be a permanent expansion to the Hex, emphasizing its importance to the game’s community.
“This particular mini adventure is staying forever as a permanent expansion to the Hex,” Ford told Polygon. “What we found was as we move away from 1999, year over year, it’s just too important to leave.” The 1999 expansion was a significant milestone for Warframe, introducing the human cast of protoframes who hold the line for humanity against an alien infestation. Despite the game’s narrative pushing toward new star systems with the upcoming Tau expansion, the protoframes remain beloved characters whose stories resonate deeply with the community.
A dedicated space for tabletop adventures
The minigame will be accessible through a dedicated space in the Höllvania Mall, redecorated as Amir’s F&F campaign room. This space will be complete with maps, game pieces, and the ability to summon Amir in a flash. The minigame itself is a text-based adventure that takes place in the K.I.M. messaging system, which players already use to build relationships with the Hex.
“People for a long time have been like, ‘When is Amir ever gonna play […] Fables & Frontiers’?” said Megan Everett community director at Digital Extremes. “And so I think this is a nice little community love letter.” The addition of Fables & Frontiers is a testament to the development team’s passion for tabletop roleplaying, which has been a lifelong hobby for many of them.
The influence of tabletop RPGs
Tabletop roleplaying is not a passing fad for the team at Digital Extremes. “It’s been a lifelong hobby for a lot of us,” Ford explained. “We used to play Pathfinder, Dungeons & Dragons, and then it became a community team thing.” The inclusion of Fables & Frontiers in the 1999 expansion was initially a gesture of verisimilitude, but the campaign idea gained traction when the team decided to focus on 1999 for a Nightwave event.
Amir’s Shockwave and new rewards
The free Nightwave battle pass system will be taken over by Amir this August, in an event called Amir’s Shockwave. This event will feature themed daily and weekly quests with new rewards, including the new On-Lyne song, “Running Late.” Against this backdrop, players will be able to enjoy Fables & Frontiers, immersing themselves in the rich narrative and interactive elements of the minigame.
The D&D flavor doesn’t end there, as acclaimed DM and voice actor Matthew Mercer is joining the Warframe cast with the Tau expansion, voicing the detective-themed Warframe Brysko. This addition further cements the connection between Warframe and the world of tabletop roleplaying games, offering players a deeper and more engaging experience.
