Warframe's Glassmaker and Deadlock Protocol: A Blast from the Past

I remember it like it was yesterday—well, actually it was 2020, but who's counting? The Warframe community was buzzing with news about Nightwave Season 3, the mysterious Glassmaker, and the Deadlock Protocol update. Now, sitting here in 2026, I can't help but look back at that wild ride with a nostalgic grin. Back then, we were all chomping at the bit for fresh content, and Digital Extremes delivered a doozy. Let me take you on a trip down memory lane, spilling the tea on what we knew and how it all played out.

First off, Nightwave: Intermission II was finally winding down on May 3, 2020. Talk about a long goodbye, right? We were all twiddling our thumbs, waiting for Season 3 to kick off. Digital Extremes kept us guessing—would it start immediately or take a breather? The suspense was killer. But the real kicker was the Glassmaker himself. Unlike previous Nightwave cinematics where you just watched a diorama like a couch potato, this time we could actually step inside and snoop around. I felt like a regular Sherlock Holmes, interacting with objects and piecing together clues. It was a refreshing twist, and I was all in for playing detective.

Then there was the Deadlock Protocol—a massive update that had us hyped. It wasn't just a fresh coat of paint; it reworked the Corpus ship assets and the Jackal boss fight, which was a long time coming. And the cherry on top? A new quest introducing Warframe number 43 (not counting Primes): Protea, the time-bending badass. I'd seen the sneak peek on the Devstream, and let me tell you, my jaw hit the floor. Protea's kit is gadget-heavy, even more so than Vauban, and her fourth ability lets her rewind time. Defensively, it's a lifesaver—literally preventing her own death. Offensively? Oh boy, all the damage she soaked up before rewinding gets unleashed in a massive explosion. Talk about turning the tables! It's the ultimate "you hit me, now eat this" move.

Here's a quick breakdown of what we knew about Protea's abilities back then:

Of course, the million-dollar question was: when in May would Deadlock Protocol drop? We were crossing our fingers for a May 3 release alongside Nightwave Season 3, but that was probably asking for the moon. The team had just transitioned to working from home in April, so patience was a virtue. And let's not forget the Railjack rework—the long-discussed overhaul that was finally testable on the test cluster. I remember scrambling to the forums to request access, feeling like a kid in a candy store.

Now, looking back from 2026, it's a trip to see how far we've come. Deadlock Protocol did eventually drop in May 2020, and Protea became a staple for many players. The Glassmaker's detective-style investigation set a new bar for Nightwave storytelling. And the Railjack rework? It evolved into something truly special. But in that moment, we were all just excited fans, speculating and hyped for what was next. It's a reminder that Warframe never stops evolving, and neither do we. So here's to the memories—and to many more updates that keep us on the edge of our seats. 🎮✨