Digital Extremes: Warframe and Soulframe to never use AI-generated content

Warframe studio Digital Extremes has set a firm boundary against artificial intelligence. The video game industry is currently embracing the use of genAI tools to streamline workflows and improve efficiency, from concept art to even in-game assets. Warframe’s studio, on the other hand, has made it clear that it wants no part in future AI races.

During a recent interview at PAX East 2026 with GameSpot, Warframe community director Megan Everett made it clear that both Warframe and Digital Extremes’ upcoming fantasy video game, Soulframe, will be free from AI.

In the interview, she cemented her stance against AI and said, “We are a very non-AI company, and it is all humans making Warframe and Soulframe. I literally don’t even want to open any type of timeline and look at art because I’m like, ‘Am I being fooled?’ I literally don’t know if what I’m looking at is real, and I get so frustrated about it; it’s so annoying.”

She continued, “Nothing in our games will be AI-generated. Ever.” Meanwhile, multiple studios are incorporating AI to save time. However, many other developers worry that this could eventually erode the element of human creativity and inevitably replace video game artists. Digital Extremes’ stance and choice on this matter feel quite personal, especially given the dire straits the job market in this industry is in.

Everett even highlighted a recent example from one of the studio’s weekly streams. She looked at Gundam-inspired fan artwork, believing it was hand-crafted, and happily showed it on the stream. Looking back on the moment, she said, “I thought it was so cool, and so I showed it. Immediately, everyone watching the stream clocked it, and I was devastated. It was so damn sneaky.”

That moment alone shook her perceptions of artwork in general, so she keeps second-guessing whether to feature artworks in the weekly streams. Many longtime Warframe players are reassured to know that the game won’t be going the route of AI. For gamers, Warframe’s deep lore, intricate and detailed missions, armor sets, and designs have always had a personal touch. 

Instead of chasing shortcuts to maximize efficiency, Digital Extremes believes that going all out on hand-crafted content is a better bet.