A Delay for the Highly Anticipated Open-World RPG
When Crimson Desert was first revealed, its scale and ambition left players in awe. The upcoming open-world action fantasy RPG from Pearl Abyss showcased massive battles, rich storytelling, and jaw-dropping visuals. One of its most memorable reveals included gameplay featuring dragon-mounted combat, where players could soar through the skies while engaging in large-scale fights.
Originally targeting a late 2025 release, the studio has now confirmed that Crimson Desert will instead launch in Q1 2026. The news came during the studio’s latest earnings call, disappointing fans eager to explore its expansive world.
Why the Delay?
Pearl Abyss was upfront about the reasons for the delay. The team underestimated the time needed for several critical tasks, including:
- Offline distribution coordination with global partners
- Voice-over recording and production
- Console certification processes
- Other pre-launch preparations
The developers apologised to fans, stating that the extra time would ensure a more polished and successful launch.
Upcoming Appearances Before Launch
Despite the delay, Pearl Abyss plans to showcase Crimson Desert at several major events before release, including:
- Gamescom 2025
- PAX West 2025
- Tokyo Game Show 2025
However, the exact release date will not be announced at Gamescom. Fans will need to wait for further updates as development continues.
Aiming for a Polished Launch
Pearl Abyss maintains that the additional months will be used to fine-tune every aspect of Crimson Desert, from technical optimisation to cinematic presentation. Given its ambitious design and status as one of the most visually impressive RPGs in development, expectations remain sky-high.
Set in the sprawling high-fantasy world of Pywel, Crimson Desert lets players take on the role of Kliff, a battle-hardened mercenary navigating power struggles sparked by a fallen king. Originally conceived as a prequel to Black Desert Online, it evolved into a standalone single-player adventure. Now, everyone will have to wait a while more before they have a chance to try it out for themselves on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
