War is Hell: Love in the Devil's Triad

The Devil's Triad: A New Chapter in Warframe's Storytelling

Warframe’s upcoming side story, Devil’s Triad, is set to release alongside the Old Peace update and introduces three compelling characters that players can get to know, befriend, and even fall in love with. This new narrative explores themes of war, love, and connection in a darker, more gothic tone compared to previous expansions.

The Devil’s Triad story was developed by the Warframe team with the goal of adapting and expanding the romance system introduced in Warframe: 1999. The developers aimed to create a "gothic" feel that reflects the harsh realities of war while highlighting the human ability to find love and connection even in the darkest times.

A New Romance System: Grim KIM

In Warframe: 1999, players built relationships and potentially developed romances with members of the Hex using the Kinemantik Instant Messenger system, or KIM. For The Devil’s Triad, the team has created a similar messaging system, but it has been internally nicknamed “Grim KIM,” or “GIM.” This change was made to reflect the darker tone of the new story.

Kat Kingsley, principal writer, explained that the interface for GIM will be distinct from the one used in 1999. The system includes a new color scheme, a different soundtrack, and a separate tab to ensure that the characters of The Devil’s Triad do not clash with their more contemporary counterparts.

Kingsley also mentioned that the romance in The Devil’s Triad will feature a “massive tonal shift” compared to the Hex relationships in Warframe: 1999. She described the new experience as “Dark Gothic Romance,” with characters like Wisp, Harrow, and Uriel being significantly darker and more tormented than those from the previous expansion.

Complex Characters and New Game Modes

The members of the Devil’s Triad have experienced the horrors of the Descendia, a new reverse tower game mode inspired by Hell itself. This mode will challenge even the best Warframes in the game. The experiences of the three characters will shape the bonds they can form with the player, leading to complex platonic and romantic stories.

Adrian Bott, lead writer, noted that although the KIM system is used again, the experience of romancing Roathe, Lyon, and Marie will be very different from building relationships with the Hex members in Warframe: 1999 or the new characters introduced in Techrot Encore. Players can expect more freedom of choice and opportunities for discovery in their interactions with the Triad members.

Captura Dates and Romantic Experiences

Players will be able to go on dates with the members of the Triad, and there will be more date options compared to Warframe: 1999. Adrian Bott introduced a new feature called “Captura Dates,” which allows players to go to one of five different date scenes within Captura, the photography mode. Kisses are also part of this experience.

While there will be adorable moments such as kissing during these dates, the central narrative of The Devil’s Triad focuses on the theme of “War is Hell.” The story explores the internal struggles of the characters, particularly Roathe, who is also known as Uriel, the first Orokin Protoframe in Warframe’s story.

The Perita Rebellion and the Descendia

Two new game modes, The Perita Rebellion and The Descendia, examine the nature of war in different ways. The Descendia is an exploration of the “hell” that is Roathe’s memory, as articulated through the Drifter’s mind. Lyon and Marie accompany the player on this journey, serving as loyal allies and spiritual support.

The Perita Rebellion, on the other hand, represents an external hell, while the Descendia is more introspective. The theme of “War is Hell” is a recurring element throughout the story, emphasizing the emotional and psychological toll of conflict.

Character Development and Voice Acting

Rebecca Ford, creative director, highlighted the importance of player feedback in shaping the role of Roathe in the narrative. The team listened to requests for more antagonistic Protoframes and developed Roathe accordingly, ensuring that his potential romantic story with the player would be a key part of the expansion.

Ford praised the voice actors René Zagger, Elsa Perusin, and Will de Renzy-Martin for their work in bringing the characters to life. Their contributions added depth and nuance to the portrayal of Roathe, Marie, and Lyon, making the characters more relatable and engaging.

Launch and Future Expectations

Warframe players can experience The Old Peace and The Devil’s Triad when the next update launches on December 10, 2025. The update will offer a rich, layered story centered around the Old War and the Tau System, with three complex and dark new characters to befriend or romance.

The Warframe developers are excited to bring the romance system back after its debut in Warframe: 1999, and they look forward to players bonding with the Devil’s Triad when the side story debuts.