Overview of Crimson Desert Release
- Scheduled for launch in late 2025, Crimson Desert by Pearl Abyss introduces players to Kliff and his Greymanes companions.
- The game will be available globally on both PC and consoles, with no exclusivity deal with Sony.
- Initial previews showcase a vibrant combat system and a captivating open world, drawing parallels to acclaimed titles like Dragon’s Dogma 2 and God of War.
Pearl Abyss, the renowned South Korean game developer known for its successful MMORPG Black Desert Online, has announced the release date for its new open-world fantasy title, Crimson Desert. Slated for late 2025, this exciting project serves as Pearl Abyss’ inaugural venture into single-player gaming.
Players will embark on a journey alongside the main character, Kliff, and his companions, the Greymanes, as they navigate the expansive continent of Pywel. The recent teaser unveiling additional in-engine footage has further heightened anticipation by confirming the launch window.
Crimson Desert Release Details
- Anticipated Release: Late 2025
The highly awaited Crimson Desert will be available worldwide simultaneously on PC and console platforms. Initially, Sony sought to secure the game as an exclusive title; however, Pearl Abyss opted for an independent release strategy. The developer articulated that this approach benefits their global operations and ability to reach a broader audience. Exclusivity often incurs significant costs, including platform fees that can consume up to 30% of a game’s revenue, leaving only 70% for the developers and publishers.
Reflecting on the excitement surrounding the game, analytics from SteamDB indicate that Crimson Desert has become one of the 200 most wishlisted games on Steam. Players can expect an innovative combat experience along with a richly detailed open world, with early descriptions portraying it as a challenging action-adventure title reminiscent of Capcom’s Dragon’s Dogma 2 and the recent entries in the God of War franchise.
The recent Game Awards 2024 drew an impressive four million concurrent viewers, marking it as the most-watched event in the ceremony’s history, according to Steam Charts. In addition to Crimson Desert, other highly anticipated titles showcased at the event included FromSoftware’s Elden Ring Nightreign, The Witcher 4 by CD Projekt Red, and a sequel to the beloved PlayStation 2 classic Okami. The event took place on December 12 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, featuring notable attendees from the gaming industry and beyond, such as Bethesda Game Studios director Todd Howard, acclaimed developer Hideo Kojima, Remedy Entertainment’s Sam Lake, actor Harrison Ford, and rapper Snoop Dogg.