Developed by Pearl Abyss, the studio behind the once-explosive MMORPG Black Desert, Crimson Desert has steadily grown into one of the most highly anticipated open-world action-adventure games in recent memory. With each new trailer and screenshot, the game continues to impress with its promise of epic battles, a vast and beautiful fantasy world, with the opportunity to fight massive monsters and ride dragons across sweeping landscapes. And the real experience appears to be coming over the horizon.
Although Pearl Abyss has remained relatively quiet aside from a few updates alongside its partners, a new report from Korean gaming outlet MTN suggests the wait is nearly over. According to information allegedly gathered through interviews, Crimson Desert is now targeting a November 2 release date, with the game reportedly in the final stages of development.
What’s more intriguing is Pearl Abyss’s ambition for the game. According to MTN, the studio is hoping that Crimson Desert, which follows a main protagonist named Kliff, will be a serious contender for Game of the Year (GOTY) honours. This is particularly notable in light of GTA IV confirmed delay to 2026, which could open the door for other titles to shine.
MTN also reported that Sony had approached Pearl Abyss in an attempt to secure publishing exclusivity for the game. However, the deal was ultimately declined, with no official reason disclosed. As it stands, Crimson Desert is still set to launch across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC platforms.
With its striking visuals, ambitious gameplay, and strong development pedigree, Crimson Desert is shaping up to be one of the standout releases of 2025, that is, if it can stick the landing. Previews have been mixed, with the exception that the graphical fidelity is on a consistently high level. Here’s hoping the gameplay can rise to the occasion as well.
