Crimson Desert Delayed to Q1 2026; Pearl Abyss Cites Launch Prep
- Sagar Mankar
- Aug 13
- 2 min read
Pearl Abyss has confirmed that its highly anticipated open-world action-adventure RPG Crimson Desert will now launch in Q1 2026, instead of the previously planned late 2025 release window.
Developed by the Korean studio best known for Black Desert Online, Crimson Desert is set in the medieval fantasy continent of Pywel — a vast, visually stunning yet war-torn land where rival factions vie for dominance.
Originally conceived as an MMO prequel to Black Desert, the game has evolved into a story-driven RPG featuring exploration, RPG progression, and cinematic combat. Players can expect a mix of weapon-based melee, ranged attacks, and even grappling moves — drawing inevitable comparisons to titles like The Witcher 3, Assassin’s Creed, Dragon’s Dogma, and Dark Souls.
The delay was officially announced during Pearl Abyss’ Q2 2025 earnings conference call (via Gematsu). The studio revealed that Crimson Desert is currently undergoing voice-over recording and console certification processes. Marketing efforts are ramping up, with planned appearances at Gamescom and PAX West in August, followed by the Tokyo Game Show in September to strengthen its presence in the Japanese market.
According to Pearl Abyss, the postponement is the result of “longer-than-expected timelines” tied to coordination with multiple partners for offline distribution, console certification, and other pre-launch preparations. The studio emphasized that this is a strategic decision aimed at ensuring a successful launch, even if it means missing the original Q4 2025 target.
While the internal release date is locked for early 2026, the company will not reveal the exact day at Gamescom next week, instead waiting for a “more appropriate time” based on business factors. Pearl Abyss has also expressed its gratitude to fans for their patience, promising a more polished and immersive experience when the game finally launches.
Crimson Desert will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.