It's been 10 years since Digital Extremes started the TennoGen program, allowing independent artists to create unique Customizations for your favorite Warframes. These community artists bring unique concepts and viewpoints to life, while your Fashion Frame shines even brighter thanks to TennoGen creators.
Hundreds of designs are made by these artists, carefully reviewed by Digital Extremes’ internal art department before their inclusion in the game. Once their work is released through the TennoGen program, artists are paid for their accepted items. That means your purchases can literally be life-changing for these fantastic community artists.
Here are a few stories of success that creators have found thanks to your support of the TennoGen program.
Goosmo
TennoGen creations can be the first step on a larger path for certain creators. For Oliver Thanh An Vu, also known as Goosmo, it's been the door that's allowed him entry into the wider gaming industry. He's currently an apprentice 3D Artist at Bitfire Games, honing his craft and pushing his passions forward.
Goosmo has always been a builder and creator, even from a young age, moving from Lego to Minecraft and then to robust 3D tools like ZBrush and Blender. He's also been a Warframe player since Open Beta, but it was a simple livestream that convinced Goosmo to make the jump to TennoGen.
"I saw [Principal Character Artist] Mike Skyers sculpt the first Valkyr Deluxe Skin live on stream," Goosmo told us. "I think that was the first thing that really piqued my interest in TennoGen. So I just said 'screw it,' got my hands on ZBrush and tried sculpting. The learning curve was steep, but well worth it."
His first item in the TennoGen program was the Revenant Draugen Skin, but one of his favorite featured creations is the Gauss Nitrolyst Skin. Continuing to submit to TennoGen has helped Goosmo hone his craft and enhance his portfolio, landing him an apprenticeship at Bitfire Games.
"I always wanted to work in the game industry, I just wasn't really sure what kind of position it would be, or if it was even possible since the industry is small in Denmark. It was TennoGen that made me realize it had to be a 3D artist position and that it was possible at all," he said.
Led2012
Another creator who has seen success through the TennoGen program is Filipino artist Lendel Fajardo, also known as Led2012. Fajardo submitted an entry into the first Warframe TennoGen Contest at Polycount back in 2015. "Everything changed due to that one Polycount x Warframe TennoGen 'test round' almost 10 years ago," he told us. Despite not having a winning entry, he caught the TennoGen bug and released his first Customization several months later.
Since then, Fajardo has released more than 30 TennoGen Customizations, including the Protea Kollapsar Skin, the Baruuk Zamariu Skin, and the recently-released Xikonos Syandana. He's been able to use that TennoGen revenue to support his family and local community. He previously paid for his sister's college education, purchased food for families during the pandemic and currently funds his younger brother's university tuition.
"My sister has her own family now, along with her one year old baby," he explained. "I still have one sibling that I'm funding and sending to college. Two more years and I'm done sending siblings to school."
Rekkou
Rekkou is one of the earlier participants in the TennoGen program, with his first accepted Customization — the Volt Arrester Helmet — appearing in the original TennoGen x Polycount Workshop Contest. His first item is also still his favorite TennoGen creation.
"Because it was for a contest, there's this pressure of making something that everyone will like to increase the chance of it being picked," said Rekkou. "But I decided to just ignore that and make something I personally liked by combining various mecha designs I enjoyed. When it was chosen as one of the winners, I felt very validated."
Rekkou has enjoyed a long career as a TennoGen creator, with excellent past Customizations including the Gauss Agito Skin, the Volt Zener Skin and the Trinity Knightess Skin. His efforts have ultimately paid off in allowing him to start his own business in Japan.
"Right now, I'm opening my own 3D printing business that specializes in Airsoft equipment and garage kits," said Rekkou. "It is thanks to TennoGen’s passive income that I'm able to open my own company in Japan and comfortably chase my dream of living here."
LostEpoch
For some creators, TennoGen is a way to fully express their creative impulses. LostEpoch was once an artist making sketches and fan creations, but a family member nudged them toward the TennoGen program as a way to showcase their work. "My brother suggested I try out TennoGen," they explained. "I was honestly a little worried about the learning curve, so I said I would try it if I got an art feature on Prime Time. I did a month later and here I am now!"
Their first creation was the Lamassu Shoulder Armor in 2022 and since then they've contributed excellent items to the program like the Caliban Scion Helmet and the Herulyst Liset Skin.
LostEpoch said that prior to working in the TennoGen program, they had never considered 3D art as a focus or even a career in the gaming industry. Now they have somewhere to channel their creativity. "It quickly became a passion for me. It was so cool to see my ideas come to life and it gave my art purpose," they told us.
The additional income has also helped out in more personal aspects of LostEpoch's life. "Shortly after the acceptance, I used the money earned from my TennoGen items to purchase an engagement ring and proposed to my wife on top of a mountain. We are now happily married and expecting our firstborn later this year," they said.
Ventralhound
VentralHound was previously hip-deep within the medical system working as a radiologist. In fact, she had stepped away from gaming as a hobby due to leading such a packed life. When she began seeing social media posts from her friends sharing their new Kubrows and Kavats, however, a spark was lit.
She admits that she spent hours looking through the in-game Market, trying to understand the composition of various items. "I never considered creating my own skins back then, as I was quite poor with the technical side of creative work," Ventralhound explained. While remaining in the medical field, she took on additional work as a texture artist, gaining an appreciation for the work that goes into creating 3D models for games.
"My first, vague understanding of the full pipeline came from that company job," she said, "but it was the TennoGen program that truly pushed me to learn the entire cycle. The thought that I could actually figure out those intimidating 3D programs struck me quite suddenly. YouTube tutorials by Hydroxate were an immense help; they were incredibly detailed, perfect for a complete beginner like me."
That's when the spark grew into a flame and VentralHound decided to leave the medical profession to focus on a career in game art — a path she still follows to this day. She continues to improve and strive for greater mastery. In fact, her favorite TennoGen creation is her latest: the Hildryn Sarcostema Skin & Helmet. For others who want to follow a similar path, she offers a tiny bit of advice:
"Simply love what you do," she says. "It might sound like a cliché, but it's one of the most crucial steps toward being happy. I loved my old job as a doctor, and I love my new one as an artist; both bring me joy. Yes, juggling both was challenging, but nothing is impossible when you're motivated to create something truly cool. Don't chase perfection — it doesn't exist. Keep learning, allow yourself to make mistakes and stay open to new things, including fresh perspectives on game design!"
If you're interested in getting your start with TennoGen, you can learn everything you need to know with our Steam Workshop guide! You can also check out our current TennoGen 10 Year Anniversary Sale right here for discounts on fan-favorite items.