Pearl Abyss’s open-world action RPG Crimson Desert is creating quite a buzz ahead of its launch. Preview coverage from TheGamer suggests the game could be one of the most impactful releases in the next six months. After a high-profile delay from its original 2021 window, the game seems to be impressing those who’ve had a chance to play it.
Developed by Pearl Abyss, the South Korean studio known for Black Desert Online, Crimson Desert aims for a premium single-player and co-op experience. This marks a clear shift from the free-to-play MMO model that funded its development. In 2023, the studio reported revenues of around $280 million.
Early previews liken its action combat systems to those of FromSoftware, while also noting the open-world richness reminiscent of CD Projekt Red’s The Witcher 3. Those are high expectations, but Pearl Abyss has had several years to refine the game after moving it off its original release schedule.
The timing is crucial. Crimson Desert is launching in a market where player trust in major publishers is waning. For example, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which currently costs $0.99 on Steam, faces ongoing community backlash over its DLC pricing. Reviewers claim players need to spend an extra $90 USD on post-launch content to achieve 100% completion. This backlash, along with growing scrutiny of dynamic pricing models on the PS Store and Switch 2 storefronts, opens the door for any game that offers a complete package at launch.
Pearl Abyss hasn’t set a final release date beyond a 2025 window. However, the six-month projection from current previews points toward a Q4 2025 launch. The studio’s experience with Black Desert’s ongoing live-service updates shows they have operational discipline, but transitioning that to a premium single-player launch presents a different set of challenges.
| Pearl Abyss 2023 Revenue | ~$280M USD |
| Crimson Desert Original Target | 2021 |
| Assassin’s Creed Shadows Current Steam Price | $0.99 |
| Reported AC Shadows DLC Cost for 100% Completion | ~$90 USD |
| Community Sentiment (AC Shadows, Steam) | Mostly Negative |
The current sentiment around AAA titles is quite different. One Steam reviewer captured the frustration felt by many: “Avoid. If you hunt to get 100% completions, prepare to shell out $90 USD in DLC to get the last achievement for that hundo.” Such resentment toward monetization creates a real opportunity for any studio willing to release a complete game.
What To Watch
- Official release date confirmation: Pearl Abyss hasn’t locked down a public launch date yet. An announcement would reshape how the industry views the Q4 2025 window.
- Monetization model disclosure: With the current climate around DLC pricing and live-service models, how Pearl Abyss communicates its post-launch content plans will greatly impact pre-order and day-one sales.
- Review embargo timing: A lengthy embargo lift close to the launch could suggest publisher caution. Conversely, an early press access would show confidence in the final product — keep an eye on what path Pearl Abyss follows.
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is the Reviews and Guides Editor at Explosion.com. With a background in game design studies and 6 years of gaming journalism, Sarah brings technical insight to her reviews and creates comprehensive guides that help players get the most out of their games. She has reviewed over 200 titles across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo platforms. Her current obsessions include FromSoftware titles and indie roguelikes.
