The game is supported by microtransactions, which lets players purchase in-game items for real money that would otherwise normally be obtained through grinding. The game saw nearly 50 million players in 2019 and it is now one of Digital Extremes' most successful titles, with it receiving a large chunk of developer attention through the introduction of new game content and modes. However, since its release, the game has experienced positive growth through development by Digital Extremes over the years. Initially, the growth of Warframe was slow, hindered by moderate critical reviews and low player counts.

By 2012, looking at the success of free-to-play games, the developers took their earlier Dark Sector ideas and art assets, to present it as Warframe. Ultimately Digital Extremes released a game called Dark Sector in 2008, far different from their original plan. The company reintroduced Dark Sector in 2004 in preparation for release on the upcoming seventh generation consoles but could not find a publisher due to its theme.

The concepts for Warframe had been in place at Digital Extremes since 2000 under the name Dark Sector.

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