Pearl Abysshas officially confirmed thatCrimson Desertwill no longer release at the end of this year, as originally planned. Instead, the highly anticipated action-RPG will now arrive in the first quarter of 2026.
Crimson Desert Reasons Behind the Delay
Delays are always lurking in the gaming world, and this time, they’ve caught up withCrimson Desert.Originally set for a late 2025 launch onPS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC,the release date has now been pushed back.
In a surprising turn of events, the Korean studio Pearl Abyss, creators ofBlack Desert Online, revealed the delay during an investor call following the company’s Q2 2025 financial results.
Crimson Desert’s release shift means we’ll have to wait a few more months to join Kliff on his epic journey across Pywel. It’s disappointing news, especially since the title is considered one of the most promisingAAA Korean RPGsand a technical powerhouse featuring DLSS 4.
Development Status and Strategic Timing
The good news?Pearl Abyss confirmed that the RPG will launch in early 2026, which places it ahead of GTA 6’s highly anticipated release in May of that year.
“Before the Q&A session, I would like to share an update on the development status and launch schedule ofCrimson Desert, something many of you have been curious about,” a Pearl Abyss representative stated.
“This is our first large-scale AAA console game, and its launch has been inevitably delayed by one quarter compared to the previously announced schedule,” the company continued.
Pearl Abyssclarified that active development is already complete, but other launch preparations remain, such as distribution, localization, and console certification forPS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
While these tasks are usually straightforward, the team concluded that it would be impossible to have everything ready by December 2025. As a result, they made the strategic decision to push the release back a few months.
Partnerships, Events, and Marketing Plans
The delay stems from longer-than-expected timelines due to coordination with various partners for offline distribution, dubbing, console certification, and other launch preparations. According to the studio, this is a “strategic decision” intended to maximize the game’s success—potentially giving it more breathing room in early 2026, though it will still face stiff competition from titles like Resident Evil Requiem.
From a marketing perspective,Pearl Abyssplans to attendGamescom and PAX Westthis August to showcase their open-world vision. Then, in September, the team will appear at Tokyo Game Showto strengthen their presence in the Japanese market.
The RPG will be featured atGamescom 2025 Opening Night Live, PAX West, and will also reveal more details duringTokyo Game Show 2025. There’s even a chance it could make an appearance atThe Game Awards 2025.
Release Platforms and Future Outlook
Crimson Desertis shaping up to be one of the most ambitious open-world RPGs in development, coming toPS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in early 2026.
The team has also confirmed aNintendo Switch 2version, though it remains unclear whether it will launch simultaneously with other platforms or at a later date.
