Fans hoping to dive into Crimson Desert will have to wait a bit longer. Pearl Abyss announced during its Q2 2025 earnings call that the open-world action RPG, originally set for late 2025, is now delayed to the first quarter of 2026. Here’s what’s happening with this highly anticipated game.
The delay comes from extra time needed to polish the game. Pearl Abyss is working on things like voice recordings, console approvals, and partnerships for physical copies, which are taking longer than expected. The team apologized for missing the planned fourth-quarter launch but said this move will ensure the game shines when it arrives.
They’ve set an internal release window between January and March 2026, but won’t share the exact date at Gamescom next week, waiting for a better moment to announce it.
Despite the delay, Crimson Desert will still make a splash at Gamescom 2025, where players can try a demo of its massive open world. The same demo will also appear at Tokyo Game Show in September to build excitement in Japan.
The game, first revealed in 2019, started as a prequel to Black Desert Online but has grown into a standalone single-player RPG with a medieval world full of adventure. You play as Kliff, a mercenary leader, exploring the land of Pywel, fighting monsters, and reuniting your scattered team.
Crimson Desert is coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. Fans are disappointed about the wait but excited about the game’s ambitious scope, with stunning visuals and deep gameplay.
Pearl Abyss promises it’s worth it for a top-notch experience. Check out their website or follow Gamescom updates for more on the demo. Get ready for an epic adventure in early 2026!
