There is now clarity on recent claims surrounding the much-anticipated release of Crimson Desert, as developer Pearl Abyss has responded to rumors of a possible launch in early November. The action-adventure game follows protagonist Kliff and his Greymanes companions as they embark on an exciting journey across the mysterious land of Pywel.
Crimson Desert first gained widespread attention when its first gameplay trailer was revealed at The Game Awards 2020. The trailer impressed audiences with its open-world exploration, intuitive and dynamic combat system, and stunning graphics. At the time, developer Pearl Abyss announced that they were aiming to release the game in winter 2021. However, the studio later postponed the game’s release indefinitely, saying they wanted to make it bigger and better but did not share a new date. After a long wait, Crimson Desert finally returned to the stage at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2023 with a new trailer. The trailer introduced fast-paced combat, enhanced graphics, and new features such as shops and interactive animal companions, raising excitement for the game to its peak once again.
A new trailer released during The Game Awards a few months ago confirmed that Crimson Desert is now aiming for a late 2025 release. However, a recent report from Korean outlet MTN claimed a potentially more accurate date, stating that Pearl Abyss is planning to launch the game on November 2, 2025. In response to this claim, Pearl Abyss explicitly told Insider Gaming that there was no interview with MTN, and that the outlet was not provided with any kind of official release date. The developer also stressed that any official announcement regarding the game’s release will only be made by the company, at the appropriate time.
Crimson Desert Release Date Rumors Shut Down by Developers
It is expected that Crimson Desert will not be delayed any further and will be released within its scheduled timeline. Pearl Abyss has confirmed that it will be launched globally on both PC and console platforms simultaneously. Interestingly, according to a report, Sony had attempted to make Crimson Desert a platform exclusive. However, Pearl Abyss rejected the offer and decided to publish the game independently. According to information provided to investors, the company believes that this option is more beneficial in the long term, as they already have a strong global publishing structure in place, with regional offices that can effectively handle international releases.
In addition to the confirmed platforms, recent rumors indicate that Crimson Desert could also launch on the future Nintendo Switch 2. A product listing on GameStop hinted at a Switch 2 version, which, if proven true, would give Pearl Abyss the opportunity to bring the game to an even wider player base. However, there are some logical concerns surrounding this possibility, particularly around whether the Switch 2’s hardware will be able to deliver the same graphical quality and performance compared to more powerful systems like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. If hardware limitations remain, this could impact the game’s ambitious presentation and experience.
