Crimson Desert has been hit with another delay. Pearl Abyss now plans to launch the medieval open-world RPG in the first quarter of 2026.
The game was first announced in 2019 and has shifted direction over time. It started as an MMO prequel to Black Desert Online, but evolved into a single-player RPG with gameplay compared to Dragon’s Dogma and Tears of the Kingdom. Along the way, it has faced several setbacks, and this latest delay pushes the release just beyond its last target of late 2025.
Crimson Desert needs more time for final touches
According to Pearl Abyss, the extra time is needed for final touches like voice-overs, console certification, and distribution work. The studio says these processes with external partners have taken longer than expected.
While there’s no exact date yet, the developer insists the launch window is locked in. They’ll share specifics later rather than at Gamescom.
There’s still some good news – a playable Crimson Desert demo will be available at Gamescom 2025 this month, with appearances also planned for PAX West and Tokyo Game Show.
Crimson Desert is set to release on PlayStation 5, Xbox, and PC via Steam.
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