Soulframe opens to everyone on November 6 after two years in closed alpha

Soulframe, the free-to-play fantasy action RPG from the makers of Warframe, is opening its doors. Digital Extremes says anyone can download the game on November 6, ending a closed alpha that has lasted two years.

If you have been watching from the sidelines without a "prelude" key, this is your way in.

What is changing on November 6

According to Rock Paper Shotgun, the new "open prelude" lets players fire up Soulframe.com and get started without needing a key. Until now, access has been limited to people who held one.

The open prelude arrives shortly before the game's 17th major update, titled Verse of the Veilands. Rock Paper Shotgun notes that the update lets you raise your Omen wolfpup allies into rideable adult wolves by tracking down the ingredients for a special biscuit.

A bigger shake-up for new players

PC Gamer reports that Verse of the Veilands will radically change the structure of the game so it is easier for new players to follow. Its headline describes the update as one of the studio's "biggest, most violent" yet.

That timing matters. Opening the game to everyone and reworking how it is structured for newcomers happen almost back to back, so people trying Soulframe for the first time are arriving right as the game changes shape.

Rock Paper Shotgun adds that Digital Extremes is "nervous" about certain changes. The details in that report don't make clear exactly which changes worry the studio.

What Soulframe is

Soulframe's Steam listing describes it as a new fantasy action RPG in which you "forge your legend with blade, bow, and magick" while leading the charge against a world-devouring corruption. Digital Extremes is both developer and publisher, and the listing tags it as Action, Adventure, RPG and Free To Play. The Steam page currently shows the release as "Coming soon" and lists PC as the platform.

Key points

• Date: November 6 for the open prelude.
• Cost: Soulframe is free-to-play.
• Background: It has been in closed alpha for two years.
• Next up: The 17th major update, Verse of the Veilands, follows shortly after the open prelude.

The reports don't say which platforms the open prelude will cover beyond the PC listing on Steam, so check Digital Extremes' announcements if you plan to play elsewhere.