Walking into the Zen Room at Tennocon 2024 was like stepping into the coolest VIP lounge ever. I was just getting my bearings when I heard this friendly voice to my right: "Try these, they're amazing." I turned, and omg, it was Ben Starr—the voice of Clive from Final Fantasy 16—pointing at the comfiest bean bag sofas I've ever seen. The vibes were immaculate from the start. Within minutes, we were joined by Alpha Takahashi (Hanako from Cyberpunk 2077) and Nick Apostolides (Leon Kennedy himself!). Nick plopped down with a thud and deadpanned, "We're gonna have lump sack races later." Cue the confused silence, then Ben's perfect response: "So, I don't know what you mean by that." We all cracked up. The chemistry between these three was instant, creating this chill, easy-going atmosphere where I almost forgot I was there to talk about one of the most anticipated updates in gaming: Warframe: 1999.

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The Characters & Their Humanity 🎭

Let's talk about the roles. This update introduces two opposing factions: The Hex and The Technocyte Coda. Ben and Alpha voice members of The Hex—Arthur Nightingale and Aoi Morohoshi—who are on a desperate mission to find Dr. Albrecht Entrati on the last night of 1999, fighting to retain their humanity before fully transforming into Warframes. Nick, on the other hand, plays Zeke, a former member of the '90s boyband On-Lyne, now mutated into an infested monster with the Technocyte Coda. Talk about range!

Ben shared some deep insights about Arthur. "I like the dimensions to him," he said. "He is a proto-Excalibur, so everyone has pre-existing ideas, but we tried to bring out the humanity even in small moments." He drew a parallel to his role as Clive in FF16, calling both "very human characters" fighting to cling to their humanity. "You can see how much Arthur is losing control over his own body," Ben explained. "I think his humanity shines the brightest when it's fighting against its own extinction. You cling onto it through human relationships." So profound! 😭

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For Alpha, it was all about the aesthetic and connection. "I think the visuals are such a big part of the fantasy here," she gushed. "Before I started playing, I saw some art and just remembered how gorgeous it was." Meeting her character's designers was "a dream come true." She loves that Aoi has colored hair (like her!) and her passionate loyalty to friends. Alpha even pointed out the symbolic origami crane Aoi makes in the trailer: "Origami is like being folded into whatever shape you want, and she's taking a choice to crush that story and make it into something else." How poetic is that? 🎴

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Nick's role as Zeke was a total 180 from his usual gigs. "For me, it was a breath of fresh air," he admitted. "I've always gravitated towards stoic, serious protagonists. To play a character who's more excitable and enthusiastic is liberating—it's like 50 percent SpongeBob!" When asked if Zeke is a hero or villain, Nick laughed: "Oh, that's a good question. I think he's a good guy... a good guy that loses control." The concept of a mutated '90s boyband member? Iconic. 🤘

First Impressions of the Warframe Community 🌍

This was the first Tennocon for all three actors, and they were blown away by the passion of the fans. Nick called it "amazing" and "organized," praising the team's responsiveness. Ben mentioned he'd "been going around doing fun stuff with the team for a couple of months," but seeing the fanbase at this scale was next-level. "They're so cool," he said. "I see familiar faces at events; it feels like a real family."

The warm welcome from the community meant everything. Ben shared: "Coming into something new, you want to make sure you don't do it a disservice, but everyone has been so lovely." He was amazed by the instant creativity—fan art of Arthur appeared within hours of the announcement. "That's one of my favorite parts of any community—the incredible artists." Alpha echoed this, grateful to be part of the first time faces are put to Warframes: "I find the fanbase to be very kind! They have so much love for the game."

Nick credited the positive vibes to developer Digital Extremes: "That's how they treat their company, and that's how the fan base comes off... When you're part of something established, there's a sense of responsibility; you want to do it justice because those fans were here before you."

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Why This Update Feels Different ✨

What struck me most was how each actor connected with their role on a personal level:

  • Ben found depth in Arthur's struggle for humanity.

  • Alpha saw herself in Aoi's style and heart.

  • Nick embraced the chance to be his playful self as Zeke.

Their enthusiasm was contagious. As we wrapped up, I couldn't help but feel the electric energy for Warframe: 1999. Releasing in Winter 2024, this update isn't just new content—it's a narrative-driven experience brought to life by voices who truly care. The community's embrace of them only adds to the hype.

Final Thoughts & Hype Checklist ✅

  • Release Window: Winter 2024 (so soon!)

  • Key Factions: The Hex vs. The Technocyte Coda

  • Star Voices: Ben Starr, Alpha Takahashi, Nick Apostolides

  • Vibe: '90s nostalgia meets Warframe's signature sci-fi

  • My Takeaway: This might be the most emotionally resonant chapter yet.

If their performances are half as engaging as our chat, we're in for something truly special. The wait feels eternal, but hey, good things come to those who wait, right? 🥹 Can't wait to dive into 1999 and experience their stories firsthand. The future of Warframe has never looked brighter!