Exploring the Anime-Inspired Short Film for Warframe’s 1999 Narrative Update
Boutique animation studio THE LINE has applied its love of anime to refreshing the world of video game Warframe, with the creation of a short film that shows players what they can expect from the game’s risky direction. Risky because in 10 years Warframe has never undergone a stylistic change of direction quite like the recently released 1999 narrative update.
Collaboration and Inspiration
With a specialism in both 3D animation and 2D animation styles, as well as a passion for the past, THE LINE’s 1999 project neatly anticipates the big nostalgia art trend for 2025. While developer Digital Extremes worked on the game’s new content, that includes a visual makeover, new story content and gameplay ideas, animation studio THE LINE created the 90s anime short, called The Hex.
Drawing on a love of Ghost in the Shell and 90s aesthetic, the animators crafted a punchy short that recalls the heyday of anime as well as serving as a hype film for the new Warframe release. Here, we speak with THE LINE’s veteran animation director, Venla Linna, who explains how those influences came together, and how Digital Extremes’ vision was interpreted.
Interview with Venla Linna
“Exploring a world like Warframe through 2D animation was an incredibly fulfilling experience,” says Venla Linna. “We were immediately drawn to the vastness of the universe that has been built, the depth of its storytelling, and the unapologetic stylishness of its characters.”
Art Direction and Style
CB: Were there particular 90s anime studios that influenced the art direction?
Venla Linna: It wouldn’t be so much particular studios, but particular directors, or films in this case – Ghost in the Shell and Jin-roh Wolf Brigade in particular: not only in mood, but even down to the way they handled colour and grade.
Challenges and Techniques
CB: Did the change in tone require any significant changes because of the 90s influence?
Venla Linna: Not from our side – I think both sides of the collaboration (as in The Line and Digital Extremes) were incredibly aligned from the start down to the references, so I found all the material already spoke to that when I received it.
CB: What tools or techniques did you use to achieve a nostalgic style?
Venla Linna: Desaturate, desaturate, throw some light bloom on it and grain. That honestly was the trick. Our art director Simon Dumonceau made a gorgeous colourscript that leaned heavily into greys and greens in the underground, and cold pinks and blues in the Mall sections – the colours themselves needed to be designed a little desaturated down to the modelsheets in order to achieve this look.
Character Design
CB: How did the design of Warframe’s characters fit into the anime look?
Venla Linna: I think they were made to be drawn! I was, either way, striving for a style that remained more naturalistic both as a style choice and in order to keep a likeness that would not oversimplify character specific facial features. It’s a huge pet peeve of mine when a style homogenises the characters – and this was the first time we were giving these guys faces, so it was extra important to make them look like themselves.
Proud Moment
CB: Is there any particular element of the design that you’re most proud of?
Venla Linna: It has to be the faces! High-fidelity, high detail is a risk, always. The more lines and complexity you introduce the higher the chance someone can’t do it. My assist team were absolute troopers and completely brought it home on this one despite the challenge. There’s really nothing I would change about it – I’m super happy with the whole team and our result.
Conclusion
The collaboration between THE LINE and Digital Extremes has resulted in a unique and captivating short film that showcases the game’s new direction. With its blend of anime influences and nostalgic style, The Hex is a must-watch for fans of Warframe and anime alike.
FAQs
Q: What inspired the creation of The Hex?
A: The Hex was inspired by the 90s anime aesthetic and the desire to create a unique and captivating short film that showcases Warframe’s new direction.
Q: How did the collaboration between THE LINE and Digital Extremes work?
A: The collaboration was incredibly aligned from the start, with both sides working together to bring the vision to life.
Q: What tools or techniques were used to achieve the nostalgic style?
A: Desaturation, light bloom, and grain were used to achieve the nostalgic style.
Q: How did the design of Warframe’s characters fit into the anime look?
A: The characters were designed to be drawn, with a focus on naturalistic styles and likeness to the original characters.
