Crimson Desert Reportedly Set for November 2 Launch, Development Nearing Completion

Image: Crimson Desert

Pearl Abyss’ open-world action-adventure title Crimson Desert is reportedly slated to release on November 2, with development now entering its final stages.

As per a report by South Korean media outlet MTN, the studio has tentatively locked in the early November launch date. While there had been speculation that the game could be delayed to 2026 due to the prolonged development cycle, the report indicates that Pearl Abyss intends to stick to its original plan of releasing the game in the fourth quarter of 2025. If all goes smoothly, this tentative date will soon become official.

UPDATE: Pearl Abyss has now told Insider Gaming that the news about the release date is incorrect. The confusion comes from a translation mistake. The developer stated, "When the company is ready to announce a release date, it will be via official channels."

Crimson Desert has been in the spotlight since its announcement in 2019, initially drawing attention because of Pearl Abyss' success with Black Desert, especially the mobile version. At first, the title was expected to follow the MMORPG format, much like its predecessor. However, the developers later shifted direction, opting instead for an open-world action-adventure experience with strong single-player elements.

The game has generated significant global interest, partly because of its ambitious design and also due to the prolonged silence during its development. Notably, Sony reportedly made a move to acquire exclusive distribution rights, but Pearl Abyss declined, choosing to retain wider publishing control.

Development delays had previously clouded the game's release timeline. During The Game Awards in Los Angeles last December, it was broadly hinted that the launch would come by the end of 2025. Interestingly, Crimson Desert was once expected to debut around the same time as GTA 6, which was originally set for a Q3 2025 release. However, with Rockstar's flagship title now postponed to 2026, Crimson Desert could comfortably take the spotlight this holiday season.

Pearl Abyss has kept details close to the chest, stating only that “information related to the release will be shared through official channels at a later date.” Despite the wait, the anticipation hasn’t waned. The game is also expected to compete with other high-profile South Korean titles scheduled for late 2025, such as HYBE IM’s Architect, NC’s Aion 2, and Netmarble’s The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin. Globally, it will compete with Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Arc Raiders, and Ghost of Yotei during the same season.